Richard continued.
“I also made assumptions about your financial position.”
Marcus’s expression changed.
“What assumptions?”
Richard looked embarrassed.
“That you were comfortable.”
“But not…”
He stopped.
Marcus waited.
“Say it.”
Richard swallowed.
“Not someone for whom sixty-eight thousand dollars could be absorbed.”
Marcus leaned back.
“So you thought I was poorer than I am.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Richard looked at him.
There was no answer that would sound good.
“That is why I am asking.”
Marcus continued.
“My suit?”
“No.”
“My car?”
“No.”
“My job title?”
Richard looked away.
Marcus’s voice sharpened.
“You introduced me to people as a retired electrician.”
Richard closed his eyes.
“Yes.”
“I founded this company.”
“I know now.”
“You could've known then.”
“Yes.”
Marcus waited.
Richard continued.
“I think I liked a version where my family was the one providing the wedding.”
“And you were the practical father who had done well but not…”
“Not what?”
Richard sighed.
“Not operating in the same financial world.”
Marcus almost laughed.
“You needed richer.”
“Yes.”
“White?”
Richard looked up.
Marcus did not accuse loudly.
Just asked.
Richard took time.
“I don't know how much that shaped it.”
“Wrong answer.”
Richard nodded slowly.
“You're right.”
He tried again.
“I cannot separate class assumptions from race as cleanly as I would like.”
Marcus watched him.
Richard continued.
“I knew you were a Black contractor who built a business.”
“I still heard electrician before owner.”
“I did not do that with every white founder I met.”
There.
Specific enough to matter.
Marcus looked toward the office windows.
“Thank you for saying it.”
Richard nodded.
“I am sorry.”
Marcus waited.
Richard continued.
“For the assumption.”
“For letting people think my family paid.”
“For not telling Andrew.”
“For putting you in a position where keeping your word to me meant hiding something from your daughter.”
Marcus looked back.
“That last one is partly mine.”
“Yes.”
Richard hesitated.
“I was going to say that.”
Marcus smiled.
“Good that you didn't.”
They laughed.
Barely.
Richard offered to repay the forty thousand Camille returned.
Marcus refused.
“That is between me and my daughter.”
“I benefited.”
“So did the couple.”
“I want to make it right.”
Marcus looked at him.
“Then make your own finances honest.”
Richard stopped.
That was repayment enough.
Their relationship never became close.
They attended holidays.
Grandchildren’s birthdays.
Occasional dinners.
Sometimes business events.
Respect grew.
Friendship did not need to.
Victoria made her own apology to Camille.