The Family Business 3 (The Family Business #3)(36)

“You can’t die on me,” I heard him say, choking back tears as he spoke. “We were just starting to get along. At least I felt like you were beginning to see me as more than the son who disappointed you.”

He was silent for a moment, and it took all my strength not to go over and take him into my arms, comforting him like I did when he was a little boy.

“I know we’ve had our problems in the past,” Rio continued, “and I also know that you will never be able to fully accept that you have a gay son. I wanted so much to be like my brothers, but I’m not. I’m gay, and that’s my normal. But I know you were doing what you thought was right, and I want you to know that I forgive you, Pop.”

LC and I had fought over that very thing so many times in the past. I couldn’t understand why, even after some time passed, my husband couldn’t accept Rio for who he was. LC liked to be in control, and I couldn’t make him understand that Rio’s sexuality was something neither one of us could ever change. He didn’t have to like it, I told him, but at least he could try to accept it. What Rio said next made me think that in his own way, perhaps LC had been coming around to see things differently.

“You sending me on those missions recently with Paris and Sasha helped me to see that you really do consider me a valuable part of this family business—and that you weren’t going to punish me forever for being the flaming gay son. You sending me off with Kennedy lately has meant so much. It tells me that in spite of everything, I am LC Duncan’s son. So, Pop, thank you, because I know that I’m hard for you to fully accept.”

He seemed to relax a bit now, as he went on. “I mean, I’m not just gay; I’m super gay, unable to slide under the radar. People see me coming a mile away in my Barney’s fashionista clothing and my swishy walk. Yes, I probably exaggerate it in front of you to piss you off, but that’s because I need you to know that I’m never going to change. Not for you, and not for anyone.”

Listening to my baby pour out his heart made me so proud of him. He’d probably never say any of this if his dad were awake, but it was obvious that he had been needing to get this off his hairless, waxed chest. Yes, I could have a sense of humor about this too.

“Pop, I love you, and I need you to get up so that maybe one day I can actually tell you all of this to your face.”

He sighed, and then I heard him stand. He dragged the chair back to its original position, and a few seconds later, I could feel him standing over me. I kept my eyes closed as he placed a kiss on the top of my head. A few seconds after that I heard the sound of the door closing.

As I opened my eyes, a lone tear escaped and dripped down my face. I brushed it away and exhaled hard to release my pent-up emotions before more tears could begin cascading. I heard the door open again, and I turned, expecting to see Rio returning, or maybe one of the other kids. They were coming and going so often lately that they might as well have installed a revolving door.

The person who walked in was definitely not who I was expecting.

“Donna. What are you doing here?” I was sure my face revealed my feelings about her presence. I’d been caught too off guard to slip my mask of calm back on.

She closed the door behind her. “I came to see LC, of course. How’s he doing?”

“Of course,” I echoed then got up and went to stand protectively beside my husband. “I’m sure LC would appreciate you coming to see him.”

“Please,” Donna said, waving her hand. “You and LC, you’re like family.”

“Yes, family.” I pulled the sheets up to LC’s chin.

“I came as soon as I heard.”

“I’m sure you did.”

She walked over and stood next to me. “How’s he doing?” she asked again.

I shook my head. “Not good. He’s in an induced coma. They have him on a respirator for now.”

Donna looked down at him. “Oh, no. I can’t imagine what it would be like . . . for you . . . if LC were to—”

I put my hand up. “I don’t even want to think about that right now.”

Donna respected my wishes. “How are the kids holding up? I saw Vegas in the hallway, and the rest of them in the waiting area.”

“As well as to be expected, considering their father’s in the hospital in a coma.”

“I didn’t see Junior,” she said. “Is he okay?”

I stared at her for a moment, unsure how much I wanted to say. My feelings about Donna were complicated, and I didn’t know if I really wanted her to know all the details about our situation with Brother X just yet.

“He’ll be around shortly,” I lied. Truth was we hadn’t seen or heard from Junior in days.

Fortunately, a knock on the door prevented her from probing any further.

“Knock, knock,” London said, sticking her head in the room. She saw who was with me and walked in the room to give her a hug. “Aunt Donna!”

“London, how are you?” Donna asked.

London pulled out of the embrace but kept one arm around Donna. She looked at her father. “About as well as can be expected, considering.”

“I know, I know,” Donna consoled London. “But just hang in there. Your father is a strong man.”

“Yes, he is,” London agreed through her tears. She looked over at me as I struggled to hold back tears of my own. Reaching her hand out to take mine, she said, “And so is his wife.”