The Discovery, A Novel Read Free Page B

Christmas. He really thought you have talent.”
    “Maybe you could write his biography,” Vincent said. “Might be a good place to start. You’d have instant name recognition. It’d probably be a bestseller, especially if it was written by his grandson. Everybody’s curious about the great and mysterious Gerard Warner.”
    “I don’t know, Vince.”
    “You know somebody’s going to write it,” Vince said. “Might as well be family, someone who’d do it right.”
    Apparently, Aunt Fran was listening in. “Say, Michael. That’s not a bad idea. And it would be a nonfiction book, so no one would be drawing comparisons.”
    That didn’t help, either. Jenn reached over and grabbed my hand. She was feeling my pain. Just then I noticed my mother get up and walk to the fountain. Marilyn joined her.
    “Hey, everyone,” she called out.
    About half the family stopped and turned.
    “Hey, y’all, can I get your attention just a minute.”
    Now the rest turned to listen.
    “I know this celebration’s probably going to start winding down soon,” she said. “Most of us will be heading home tomorrow.”
    “Except Michael and Jenn,” Vincent yelled out. “They’re home right now.”
    Everyone laughed.
    “Well, let me get this out before they tire of our company and put us out by the road,” she said. “Marilyn and I had a nice long chat after things wrapped up at the attorneys’ today. She’s got something she wants to say . . . well, I’ll shut up and let her say it.” Mom stepped aside.
    “Okay, everybody,” Marilyn said, stepping into her spot. “You know what’s coming. I’m sorry I was such an idiot this afternoon. I want you to know how sorry I am if I spoiled the moment for anyone. I love Gramps so much, and I . . .” She was getting choked up. “Today was so special. Gramps was so good to all of us, his whole life. I don’t want any of you thinking I’m not grateful for all he’s done. Not just now, but . . . you know what I mean.”
    She took a deep breath. “I guess I’m just going to have to let go of this family tree thing I’ve been going after these past two years. But . . . doesn’t it bug any of you that we don’t know a single thing about how he and Nan met, or who his folks were, or . . . I’m sorry. Look at me, doing it again. Anyway, I am sorry.” She stepped off to the side.
    There were a few awkward seconds, then my father walked into the spot vacated by Marilyn. “Hey, everyone, let’s let Marilyn off the hook on this. Took some guts to do that.” He started to clap gently. We all joined in, till it almost reached the volume of something you’d hear after a nice birdie putt.
    “And before anyone takes off,” my dad continued, “let’s say a toast to my dad and mom.” He held up a champagne glass. “To two wonderful lives well-lived.” He looked like he had more to say, but he started choking up. We all held our glasses up, then the courtyard filled with the sound of glasses clinking together.
    I looked over at Marilyn. She wasn’t smiling.
    I just knew . . . she wasn’t about to give this up.

5
    T he next day Jenn and I were still at our hotel. A week ago, she had protested when I’d made the reservations. It was too expensive. I told her we’d certainly be getting enough from my grandfather’s will to afford a few days of comfort. Obviously, I was right.
    Now I was ready to check out and move into our new house, but she wasn’t. I looked over at the keys Mr. Dunn had given me, then over at Jenn sitting at the desk in our hotel room. She had just made a convincing case for staying in this expensive hotel one more day.
    As Gramps had pointed out before he died, I had married a good woman and it would be stupid not to listen to her.
    “Now, Michael, you’re going to help me when we get over there, right?”
    Jenn’s voice brought me back to the present. Apparently, I had started shaving. I looked at Jenn through the mirror; she was still