“I believe you. But you had to have known what might happen when you took him on. The repercussions of that.”
“I did.” Especially once Harry heard that all their prospective clients would rather be getting sled dogs from next door. “But they can’t dictate which kennels I treat. They’ve gone too far.”
He holds up his hands in surrender. “You’re absolutely right. I’m not suggesting they can.”
“They’re the ones throwing away a four-decade relationship, all because Harry’s a sore loser.”
“Yup. There’s no arguing that, either.” Dad purses his lips. “Who was Tyler Brady with before?”
“Frank.” Now that I know how tightly Tyler runs the day-to-day at his kennel, I can see why that relationship didn’t work. Frank wouldn’t see the value that I do in all those medical records and databases. Me? I’m a three-year-old tearing through presents on Christmas morning with that level of information.
Dad smooths a hand over his cheek in a slow, circular motion, his signature thinking tic. “I just know you and that Tyler fellow have had your differences in the past, and it seemed to me that day up in Hatcher Pass that they might not all be sorted out.”
“They’re sorted. It’s fine. This is purely a business relationship.”
“Oh.” Dad’s bushy eyebrows arch. “I see. So there was a time when it might have been more than—”
“No. That was a misunderstanding that is now crystal clear. There is nothing else between Tyler and me.” I’m saying that for my father’s benefit, but it’s also helpful to remind myself.
“I’m only bringing this up because I’d hate to see you lose both kennels if things don’t work out with Tyler. That’s a lot of money. And with this new baby on the way …” His words drift, but his meaning is clear.
I can’t afford to miss any rent payments to them, because some of that will inevitably be going toward helping my sister. I can already see that the extra cash I was planning on giving them to recoup their Mexico savings account will never get them there. They’ll stick it in an envelope and leave it on Vicki and Oliver’s kitchen counter without a word the next time they visit, to help ease this new burden. And how much can I say? They’ve done it for me once or twice while I was in school when money was especially tight.
“Tyler and I have worked out our issues, and he begged me to take him on, so I don’t think he’s going anywhere. And as far as the Hatchetts go, Harry’s going to learn quickly how good he had it. I wouldn’t be surprised if he comes crawling back.” I say that with more confidence than I feel. “But Dad, you guys can’t keep throwing money at Vicki.” If my parents have made any mistakes with us, it’s being generous to a fault. Other parents would not be so quick to try to solve their adult children’s financial problems for them. “I know you think you’re helping them, but you’re not. They need to figure this out on their own.”
“How’s she gonna do that with two babies in tow and a husband who’s always working? They’re struggling to pay their rent for that apartment as it is.”
“So, they move in here until Vicki finishes school and gets established. The room in the attic is big enough, and Mom will help take care of Molly.”
“We’ve offered. More than once. You know your mother loves having a house full of people, and Oliver wouldn’t mind. Knowing Eleanor, she’d be sending him off to work with packed lunches every day. It’s Vicki who doesn’t want to move back in.”
“It’s not about what she wants at this point. It’s about what she has to do, and as long as she knows you guys will cover them, she has options.” I love my little sister fiercely, but her lack of responsibility and feeble work ethic infuriate me to no end, as does her ability to take our parents’ money without showing a shred of guilt. “Maybe moving in with you will make her follow through with the hair design school thing.” That I know my parents paid for, just like they paid for her semester in college and her real estate license.
What can I say? They fronted a giant chunk of my veterinarian college fees. My parents have never wanted their daughters to miss an education because of financial strain. But in Vicki’s case, maybe they have been too open-handed.
He sighs. “We never have been good at the tough-love thing. I just can’t sit back and watch my kids, and my grandkids, fall on hard times when I can help them. But maybe you’re right. They could save their money rather than us handing them more. Vicki could finish school and start building a real career. Eventually, they might even buy a house.”