“Can I talk to you about something?” Brad asked Lee walking into his office. Everyone else was out to lunch, so he thought this would be the best time to bring his career change up to his brother when there were less people here to witness his murder.
“Have a seat. I’m glad you caught me now because I was about to leave. I’m meeting Cherise for lunch and then we’re heading to her doctor’s appointment.”
Taking a seat, Brad crossed his left leg over his right one and got as comfortable as he could. Lee seemed like he was in a good mood, but all of that would change once he got done talking.
“How is Cherise doing? I haven’t talked to her lately. I’ve been so busy with Alicia and other stuff in my life.”
Lee shut off his computer and then leaned back in his chair. “She’s doing wonderful. She’s getting more excited about the babies now that she’s closer to delivery. The doctor told us they should be born around Christmas or they could come a little earlier because Cherise is carrying multiples. So, we are going to have a very special Christmas this year no matter what and I can’t wait.”
“Have you and Cherise decided on names yet?”
“No, we’re still debating, but I know the names we choose will be perfect. Okay, that’s enough about me. How are things going with Alicia?”
Brad was surprised that Lee cared enough to even inquire about his relationship with Alicia since everyone knew he wasn’t her biggest supporter.
“You really want to know?” he questioned a little more than skeptical about his brother’s motives.
“I’ll admit I haven’t been sold on Alicia being the right woman for you, but after noticing how she looked at you during dinner, I’ve changed my opinion a little. She might actually fit into our crazy family after all.”
Brad wasn’t going to believe the sudden change came all from Lee. He had to get a little push in the right direction and he knew where it had come from.
“Cherise had another talk with you, didn’t she?”
Lee raked his fingers through his thick hair. “Yes, she did after everyone one had left dinner. She told me that I wasn’t being fair towards you and it was your life to live, not mine. Whatever mistakes you might make were yours and not mine.”
“Alicia won’t turn out to be a mistake. We love each other,” Brad replied.
He knew that Alicia hadn’t spoken the words, but her actions told him all that he needed to know. “How about we move this conversation to the real reason I came in here to see you.”
Lee sat up straighter in his chair and folded his hands on his desk. “I’m getting a bad feeling I might not like what you’re going to tell me.”
“I hope you’ll support me with my new decision instead of giving me a lecture.” Brad knew how Lee was about not wasting his MBA, but being at the marketing firm wasn’t a passion for him like it was for his brother. He didn’t get up early morning excited about coming into work.
“I’m quitting the marketing firm, so I can open up my own business.”
Lee dropped his head and sighed loudly. “I don’t even have to guess what it will even be-tennis. Are you sure that you want to do this?”
“Lee had you ever noticed that the only thing I was ever excited about was tennis? I couldn’t wait until I left this job, so I could go and coach people. I gave that up so I could work here full time.”
“I thought you stopped coaching because of Alicia.” Lee frowned. “I wasn’t aware it was because of me and my attitude towards how much time you spent doing it.”
Lee’s opinion mattered a whole lot to him. He had always looked up to Lee ever since he was a little kid and that hadn’t changed over the years. Yeah, Richard was the brother he could go to for advice, but Lee’s judgment was the one that mattered the most.
“You kept hounding me about getting a real job, so I did and I honestly tried to love it here, but I don’t.”
Lee looked at him like the light finally went off in his head. “Brad, I’m glad you think so highly of my opinion, but don’t live your life by it. If you want to open a school or business about tennis then do it. I’ll be glad to help you with marketing it“
Brad didn’t know what to say about the change in Lee. He was sure that Lee would be reading him the riot act, but he was being pretty open-minded about everything.
“You aren’t pissed at me? You spent a lot of money sending me to college for that degree and I’m not really using it now.”
“It’s just a degree, but you should do something you’re passionate about and if that’s tennis then go for it. I’ll give you my full support.”
Getting up from his seat, Lee came around his desk. “You’re my little brother and I’ll always be in your corner no matter what, but it’s past time I stop seeing you as seven years old and realize you’re a thirty-two year old adult.”
Brad stood up and gave Lee a quick hug then stepped back. “Thank you,” he said.
“Not a problem,” Lee grinned. “Now, I better go. I know my gorgeous wife is probably already at the restaurant waiting for me.”
“How about I walk out with you?” Brad suggested following Lee out the door. “Alicia is at Zack’s and I want to surprise her before she heads to work.”
“Do you really think Alicia is the one?” Lee asked over his shoulder.
“There isn’t a doubt in my mind that Alicia will be my wife and the mother of my children sooner than she thinks,” Brad answered without a doubt in his voice.