Page 11 of British Daddy to Go

Mum, on the other hand, wanted my father to stay at the firm until he was too frail to practice. Even then, she’d probably prefer he be a clerk or a paralegal or something. She’s a fan of the money.

“So, you’re going to stay in New York for a day or two and then go see the rest of the U.S., right?”

She laughs her high-pitched laugh. “Of course not, my dear! We’re not going to come see you just to gallivant around your new country. Who do you think we are?” We both pretend like this isn’t a dig at me, since that’s precisely what I do when I return home. At least my visits are for business, not just pleasure from which I exclude my parents!

“My mistake, Mother. But you might get bored here in the city for a full month. Perhaps a week’s visit would be more suited to your schedule? I promise to come home for Christmas.”

“Oh, dear, don’t make promises you can’t keep. That trading business of yours doesn’t close for the holidays, and we both know you won’t cross the ocean to see us. Instead, you’ll work so that your employees can have time with their families.”

She has me there. I’ve worked through the holidays for twenty years. “So, you’ll be here for a whole month?”

“A whole month!”

It’s the first time I’ll be with my parents for that long since I was a teenager. Even summer breaks from college were spent stateside at internships or on the so called “alt-breaks” where I went to various states and built homes or cleaned up from natural disasters.

I love my parents. They’re incredible people, and they’ve provided me with a brilliant life. But I’m not the kind of person who can live with his parents for a long time. I’m not the type to live with anyone for a long time. I like to be in charge.

“I look forward to seeing you, Mum. I don’t know how much time I’ll have…”

“We’ll see you for meals, and I’m sure you’ll be able to find time in your busy schedule to show your ailing parents around.”

I laugh. “You and Dad are in perfect health.”

“Details, dear. Carlo tells me you’re attending her son’s destination wedding. If you can make time for friends, you can make time for us.”

She has me there. “You’re right, Mum. I’ll move some things around so that I can give you the grand tour.”

“That’s all I ask, Sean. I’ll have Dreya send you our itinerary!”

Of course, my parents have an itinerary already. Dreya is their house manager who also takes care of every aspect of their lives. She was my nanny once upon a time, which goes to show how long she’s been working for my parents.

“Thanks, Mum. I’ll see you in a few weeks.”

“Just a moment. Your father would like a word.”

There’s a shuffling while my mother hands the landline to my dad. They’re the only people I know who have kept a landline. It’s the same corded phone they’ve had since I was a child, and their number hasn’t changed in that time, either.

“Sean?” my father yells. He has yet to figure out that you don’t have to scream to be heard over the phone. “You there?”

“I’m here, Dad.”

He chuckles. “How are you, son?”

“I’m well. Very busy with work, as I’m sure you know.”

“I believe it. Your company is still doing well? No scandals to worry about?”

I start walking again. Conversations with Dad are easier than talking with Mum. She doesn’t know that Dad and I talk weekly while she only gets calls twice a month. “Not a scandal in sight, Father. We run a tight ship.”

“Exactly how I raised you. Now, how about a wife? Any prospects?”

My mind flickers to Maggie, but I don’t mention her to my father. He’d make a mountain out of that mole hill. He’d also chastise me for shagging in a public dressing room. It probably wasn’t my classiest moment, and it was only oral sex, but it was still incredible. The best I’ve had in a long while, and she only barely put her mouth on me!

“You’re hesitating. Is there someone I should know about?”

“No, Father. Just thinking about work. You know I don’t have time for a relationship right now.”

“Then when, Sean? Your mother and I had a college student by the time we were your age!”