THE TOWERS FAMILY SAGA
        Episode 2
 Secrets and Foundations

Downtown Pasadena rose
against the San Gabriel
Mountains, dominated by
the modern glass and
steel building that housed
Towers Premium Spirits. In
his corner office with
floor-to-ceiling windows,
Robert Towers sat at his
desk. At fifty-five,
silver-haired with a
commanding presence, he
embodied success. The
furnishings whispered old
money rather than shouted
new wealth.
Marcus Reid, forty-eight
and the company's COO, sat
across from him with a
tablet displaying
spreadsheets. "The
Portland market is softer
than projected. We're
seeing resistance from
established distributors,
and three major restaurant
groups are locked into
exclusive contracts with
Belmont Spirits through
2027."
Robert leaned back in his
leather chair, fingers
steepled. "What about the
boutique hotel market? The
new luxury developments
downtown?" "That's where
we've gained traction. The
Atwater Hotel Group signed
yesterday. Eighteen
properties, exclusive pour
for their premium brands."
"Good. That's how we did
it in California, one
high-end account at a
time. Let Belmont have the
volume business. We want
the prestige accounts, the
places where a
thirty-dollar cocktail is
standard." Robert's
expression shifted.
"Marcus, I need to leave
early today. Family
matter." "Everything
okay?" "Virginia's
wedding. My wife has
opinions, my daughter
has different opinions,
and somehow I'm expected
to adjudicate."
Robert smiled ruefully.
"Give me a contentious
distributor negotiation
any day. At least there,
everyone pretends to be
reasonable."
Marcus laughed. "How's
James handling all of
this?"
"James Chen is a smart
young man. Orthopedic
surgeon, Ivy League
educated, comes from a
good family. His father
owns half the commercial
real estate in Arcadia."
Robert's tone was
approving but measured.
"He's exactly the kind of
man I'd want for Virginia.
But between you and me?
I'm not sure he knows what
he's getting into. My
daughter doesn't
compromise easily."
"Wonder where she gets
that from?" Robert
grinned. "Fair point.
Speaking of family, how's
the situation with the
Riverside warehouse?" The
shift in topic was
deliberate, but Robert's
assistant buzzed in on the
intercom before Marcus
could answer. "Mr. Towers,
your daughter Dorothy is
here. She doesn't have an
appointment, but..."
"Send her in," Robert said,
surprised.
Robert stood as Dorothy
Towers, twenty-three,
entered hesitantly. She
wore academic casual
clothing, jeans and a
UCLA sweatshirt. Where
Virginia projected
confidence and Shirley
broadcast rebellion,
Dorothy seemed to fold
into herself. "Dad, I'm
sorry to interrupt. I know
you're busy." Robert
immediately shifted to
father mode. "Never too
busy for you, sweetheart.
What's wrong?"
Dorothy sat down, her
hands twisting in her lap.
"It's about the wedding.
And the family. And...
I've been worried."
"Worried about what?"
"About everyone. Mom's
working seventy-hour
weeks. You're expanding
into new markets while
dealing with supply chain
issues you never talk
about. Virginia is
planning a wedding while
working hundred-hour weeks
at the firm. Shirley's
fighting with everyone.
And Barbara.."
She trailed off.
Robert's voice sharpened
slightly. "What about
Barbara?"
"She's eighteen, Dad.
She's about to graduate
high school, and I don't
think anyone's really
paying attention to what
she's going through. The
pressure of being the
youngest, of having three
older sisters who've all
succeeded in such visible
ways."
Robert was quiet for a
moment, considering. "What
specifically are you
concerned about?"
Dorothy hesitated. "I've
been noticing things.
She's been losing weight.
She's secretive about
where she goes, who she's
with. Last week I found
her crying in her room at
two in the morning, and
when I asked what was
wrong, she said 'nothing'
and locked the door."
Robert felt a familiar
tightness in his chest.
"Have you talked to your
mother about this?"
"I tried. She said
Barbara's just stressed
about college admissions
and that I was
overreacting."
Dorothy's frustration
was evident. "But Dad, I
study this stuff. I know
what early warning signs
look like. I'm not saying
Barbara's in crisis, but...
I think she needs more
attention than she's
getting."
Robert stood and walked
to the window, looking out
at the mountains with his
back to her. "Four
daughters. Four completely
different people with four
sets of needs, dreams, and
problems. When did it all
become so complicated?"
He turned back to
Dorothy. "I'll talk to
her today. And Dorothy?
Thank you for paying
attention. For caring
about your sisters."
"We're family, Dad. That's
what we're supposed to do,
right?"
After Dorothy left,
Robert sat in silence for
several moments before
picking up his phone and
dialing.