Sorry. Really sorry.”
I give her a soft smile. “What did you mean to come out?”
“What did you mean by I would remember you?”
“Just that I don't look anything like my cousins, so if you saw a random stranger you didn't immediately recognize bumming around my aunt's place, it was probably me.”
“Oh.” Relief washes away any remaining frustration. “Your aunt doesn't usually require my services at home, just at or around the office, so unless you come to visit her there-”
“Which I do not. I actively avoid the office.”
More likely to run into my mother there. No. I have no interest in telling you that story.
“You're going to need to take the next exit then an immediate left. After that three streets down you'll need to take another left.”
She gives me a confused look. “But The Artz Depot is the opposite direction.”
“I don't shop at places like The Artz Depot.”
In a mocking tone, she snips, “What? Too mainstream for you?”
“Precisely.”
The sarcastic scowl causes me to smirk.
“I prefer supporting local businesses. Just because my family owns one of the largest chain hotels in history doesn't mean I'm not allowed to appreciate the importance, as well as the beauty, found in local establishments.”
Spare me the rich boy with a morality issue speech. Only half of my genes have gold in them. The other half came from a hard-working man who worked to remind us all how money isn't everything.
To my surprise, June nods in agreement. “I actually understand and respect that. Sorry for my comment. It was out of line.”
I shrug. “Don't be. It's nice to see there's a feisty and shy side to June Bug.”
She does her best not to smile. “I completely agree with you, on local establishments, at least for some things. I love the idea of preserving classics like the drive in theater that's right on the outside of town. I love when they do the annual Pecan Parade and all the local vendors come out to sell their jewelry and artwork. You know, I had this idea to showcase local artists in the lobby of the Frost hotels around the world as a way to connect the chain to the destination. It would help Frost show they support the local community, allow for those visiting to get a vibe of the city before truly adventuring into it, and help the artists have recognition they may need for their reputation.”
“That's a brilliant idea,” I genuinely praise.
She briefly beams, but quickly shakes it away. “I...I can't believe I said that out loud.”
“What do you mean you can't believe you said that out loud? Have you never pitched that to them before?”
A frightened look appears on June's face as she turns left. “Are you joking?! I would never tell them that! I can't even believe I told you that. You just kinda...I don't know... made it easy to slip out.”
The compliment tugs that unusual feeling floating in my stomach. “Why haven't you suggested it to anyone? It's a fantastic idea.”
“That's not my place. That's not what I'm around for. No. I am allowed a very small opinion on a very select amount of things. I'm not meant to be seen or heard in that aspect. I'm....invisible. I told you that already.”
The hurt in her tone causes a familiar pang in my chest.
No one is meant to be invisible, no more than anyone is meant to spend their entire life running away.
In a quiet tone, I state, “Maybe it's time you change that. I think it's a great idea and you should tell Aunt Brandi.”
She tries to offer me a smile with the shake of her head.
“If you're really that worried, wait until she's had two glasses of the red wine she downs when her boys play each other during football season. I don't know if uncle Brett spikes it or what, but it never fails to relax her.”
June's giggle loosens the tightened up muscles.
Usually I find a way to do that for
I give her a soft smile. “What did you mean to come out?”
“What did you mean by I would remember you?”
“Just that I don't look anything like my cousins, so if you saw a random stranger you didn't immediately recognize bumming around my aunt's place, it was probably me.”
“Oh.” Relief washes away any remaining frustration. “Your aunt doesn't usually require my services at home, just at or around the office, so unless you come to visit her there-”
“Which I do not. I actively avoid the office.”
More likely to run into my mother there. No. I have no interest in telling you that story.
“You're going to need to take the next exit then an immediate left. After that three streets down you'll need to take another left.”
She gives me a confused look. “But The Artz Depot is the opposite direction.”
“I don't shop at places like The Artz Depot.”
In a mocking tone, she snips, “What? Too mainstream for you?”
“Precisely.”
The sarcastic scowl causes me to smirk.
“I prefer supporting local businesses. Just because my family owns one of the largest chain hotels in history doesn't mean I'm not allowed to appreciate the importance, as well as the beauty, found in local establishments.”
Spare me the rich boy with a morality issue speech. Only half of my genes have gold in them. The other half came from a hard-working man who worked to remind us all how money isn't everything.
To my surprise, June nods in agreement. “I actually understand and respect that. Sorry for my comment. It was out of line.”
I shrug. “Don't be. It's nice to see there's a feisty and shy side to June Bug.”
She does her best not to smile. “I completely agree with you, on local establishments, at least for some things. I love the idea of preserving classics like the drive in theater that's right on the outside of town. I love when they do the annual Pecan Parade and all the local vendors come out to sell their jewelry and artwork. You know, I had this idea to showcase local artists in the lobby of the Frost hotels around the world as a way to connect the chain to the destination. It would help Frost show they support the local community, allow for those visiting to get a vibe of the city before truly adventuring into it, and help the artists have recognition they may need for their reputation.”
“That's a brilliant idea,” I genuinely praise.
She briefly beams, but quickly shakes it away. “I...I can't believe I said that out loud.”
“What do you mean you can't believe you said that out loud? Have you never pitched that to them before?”
A frightened look appears on June's face as she turns left. “Are you joking?! I would never tell them that! I can't even believe I told you that. You just kinda...I don't know... made it easy to slip out.”
The compliment tugs that unusual feeling floating in my stomach. “Why haven't you suggested it to anyone? It's a fantastic idea.”
“That's not my place. That's not what I'm around for. No. I am allowed a very small opinion on a very select amount of things. I'm not meant to be seen or heard in that aspect. I'm....invisible. I told you that already.”
The hurt in her tone causes a familiar pang in my chest.
No one is meant to be invisible, no more than anyone is meant to spend their entire life running away.
In a quiet tone, I state, “Maybe it's time you change that. I think it's a great idea and you should tell Aunt Brandi.”
She tries to offer me a smile with the shake of her head.
“If you're really that worried, wait until she's had two glasses of the red wine she downs when her boys play each other during football season. I don't know if uncle Brett spikes it or what, but it never fails to relax her.”
June's giggle loosens the tightened up muscles.
Usually I find a way to do that for
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