She nodded stiffly. Fuck, I loved my power.
I moved to my office and went on the internet to check up on skydiving. I almost felt buzzed about it. Someone knocked at the door, and Peter poked his head around the corner.
“Okay, to come in?” Peter asked.
“Yes, no problem, what can I do for you?” I replied, wishing he wasn't there.
“It’s not about business. It’s a personal matter,” he went on.
“What do I have to do now? Are you in trouble?” I asked before signing loudly.
It always seemed like Peter had some personal problem he wanted help with, or that he needed something kept quiet, or he had left himself get in a situation, a boy situation. He used to drive Dad nuts when we were younger. And he always told me Peter should have been a daughter with his attitude, and on most occasions, I had to agree. He was a pussy.
“Nah, it’s not me this time. It’s you,” he replied as he pulled up a chair.
“I’m not in trouble, and honestly, I’ve never been better,” I said feeling slightly agitated.
“Yeah, it’s not that. It’s Mom. You need to see her.” He gave me a stern look.
“You know how I feel about that woman. It was all her fault that Dad was the way he was.” My anger rose.
“I know, but she’s still your mother,” he said pleading.
“She’s no mother to me. You don’t know what happened between us,” I replied angrily.
“What could be so bad between you?” Peter asked.
“Ask her. See if she’ll tell you,” I said. “It’s all her fault.” I raised my voice to make my point.
I cast my mind back to the day it happened. Peter didn’t know this, but I caught Mom cheating on Dad. She had begged me not to say anything. I was 12 at the time and keeping that sort of secret was a lot to place on a kid’s shoulders.
“She should apologize to me first. Maybe then I could forgive her, but I’ll never forget,” I said as I slammed my fist down on the desk.
“Just try and see her,” he said, his voice tight with what sounded like sadness.
I hated to see people use sympathy as a tactic to get something; it showed their true character. Dad had always said Peter was weak.
“Did she send you or did you choose on your own?” I asked him.
“I spoke to her yesterday, and she mentioned you. I just thought you could both make amends,” he said as his head bowed. “It’s not easy for me being in the middle you know. Especially since Dad died.”
“Stop being a wuss, and don’t use Dad as an excuse for being weak,” I said loudly.
“I’m not using him as an excuse,” he defended himself.
“It fucking sounds like it to me, maybe that’s why he left the majority to me, he knew you couldn’t do what was needed. I said strongly.
“Here we go, the big ‘I’m’ speech,” Peter replied lifting his head as he taunted. “You always have to bring this up. Just because you got all of the company and most of the money, it doesn’t make you a better person, brother.”
“I’m sure it makes me better than you. Do you ever see me asking you for anything? Well, do you?” I paused briefly. “You can’t answer that. I’ve never had to rely on you for anything, and I probably never will,” I said as I stood and looked from the office window across the lot.
“It’s difficult for me sometimes, you know. I have memories that torment me just like you do," he added.
I looked at him again. “I don’t have demons that I’m wrestling, Peter. The only thing I have a problem with is her,” I said again as anger burned my chest.
“Is that why you can’t commit to a real relationship? Because you think you will be like her?” Peter asked as he stood and walked around the office. “You might have everything, but you still have no one to love. You never have had, and you never will,” he said with a moody, disheveled tone.
“I’ve had enough of this conversation. It always ends with the same result. Dad just said you were weak and now I can see it myself. You have no fucking balls. He said you should have been a daughter rather than a wayward son,” I smirked and laughed.