by Cee, DW
March 10, 2014 BEE: Luke
“Something is alive in here.” Luciano pushed away the yellow birthday box that had been sitting in the middle of my living room since I got home from pizza night at Laney’s. “Do you want me to dispose of it?”
Since last Monday, Luciano and I had spent every evening together. Whether he was invited or not, he’d show up at my door with a suitcase full of work, and dinner picked-up or delivered.
“I’ll take care of the box when I get a chance.”
“This box has taken center-stage in this tiny place of yours, and you stare at it when you go off into space. May I take a look inside?”
Letting him look meant having to explain Nick, but not letting him look meant having to explain the box. It was a damned if you do, damned if you don’t. Reluctantly, I gave my consent.
Luciano sifted through everything in the box and made sense of it for me. Without saying a word, he looked to me for permission to discard what begged to be laid to rest. He took out all the non-perishable items and placed them on the coffee table, went outside—to the trash receptacle, I assumed—and walked in with a “clean” box. After meticulously cleaning out every last crumb, he laid a thick layer of paper towels inside and repositioned the gifts inside the box.
He didn’t ask any questions, and he didn’t ask for an explanation. He only asked what I wanted to eat tonight because he’d forgotten to call before arriving at my place.
Uncharacteristically, I cried a waterfall of tears. Was I crying because I was sad it wasn’t Nick who was here taking care of my birthday box? Was I happy that I had a man here who appeared to care enough to want to take care of me? Or was I sad that I needed and wanted so badly for someone to take care of me? It could’ve been any combination of those answers that fit my immediate mood.
“Um…did you want me to bring back the items I threw away? You can’t part with the dead flowers and moldy cake?” He asked so seriously, I was now laughing as well as crying. “That’s quite a gift you have. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone cry and laugh simultaneously.” The clever pun coupled with the baffled expression was priceless.
“Dinner’s on me tonight. Let’s go.” I flicked off the useless tears, and led us to my favorite Mexican joint, where the margaritas were potent and chicken enchiladas the size of Texas. “Can I ask why you’ve stopped by every night for the past week?”
Luciano didn’t skip a beat or a bite of enchilada, answering, “Because I want to? Because you’re fun? Because the more I get to know you, the more I like you? Which answer do you like best?”
“All of the above?” I laughed and so did he, with his mouth full. “Can I make a confession?”
“Should I have worn my confession-booth attire?”
“And what, pray tell, do you wear when listening to a confession?”
“Either a black robe or a smart three-piece suit like your nephew. Did you know he’s the best-dressed man in any courtroom or boardroom? A sense of style must be a Taylor thing because whenever I see his wife, she too is a smart dresser.”
“What about me?” The designer in me had to protest. “Laney’s only a Taylor by marriage and plus, every time you’ve seen her, she’s been in maternity wear.”
“I love the way you dress. You have that designer-eclectic thing going on. Only you can pull off half the outfits you wear. It’s fashion-forward.”
“Was all of that a compliment?” I replayed in my mind what he had just said.
“You’re very stylish, sensible, and sweet…not to mention beautiful. There! Have I blown up your ego enough for the night?” Luciano cupped my cheek with one hand and tenderly asked, “What is it you wanted to confess?” The gentle way he posed that question made my heart hurt.
“That yellow box was a belated birthday gift from a man named Nick Reid. We dated on and off for about a year and a half, but in the past few months, we dated more seriously.”
“So what ended your relationship? Or are you two still dating, and I’ve been wasting my time trying to get to know a two-timing woman?” He chuckled softly.
“To make a long story short, Nick doesn’t see himself married and settled for at least ten years, and I see myself with the white picket fence much sooner. We couldn’t reconcile the two, so we broke up. I was in Florence on business about a month ago, and Nick flew out to tell me he missed me and to give me that gift.”
“I take it Nick Reid is that very tall, well-built, ridiculously manly guy at Donovan and Laney’s house?”
“Yes. He gave me the gift that night, and started a confessional of his own when…” That picture of Nick and Lily at Disneyland was one that wouldn’t erase from my mind. I saw it often especially late at night when I couldn’t fall asleep.
“Is there more to this confessional? Does he want you back?”
“He received a phone call that took precedence over talking to me, so we never finished our conversation. I’ve been alone for a long time, and when you took care of the contents in that box, somehow, it broke me. I honestly didn’t know if I was crying because I missed Nick, or because you were here taking care of me. As much as I thought I was this brave, independent woman, I guess I too want the love of a good man.” I should’ve stopped talking but I couldn’t. Luciano was good for my neediness tonight. “When I see my nephew taking care of his wife, I’m overwhelmed with a sense of longing. I have never felt so pathetic as I have the past few months.”
“I don’t think it’s just you, Bee. Whether man or woman, we all want to love and be loved. What you’re feeling is no different than what I, and every other single person, feel. That’s why we date and get to know people so that one day, we might end up finding the perfect one for us.”
“You make it sound so easy.”
“I don’t think there’s anything hard about dating, especially for you women. What do you have to lose? We do the asking, we do the picking up, and we do the paying. All you women have to do is show up.” He broke into a grin.
“Hey, I told you dinner’s on me, tonight.” I grinned back. “OK. Enough about me. Give me a confession so I don’t feel like such a loser.”
“My big confession right now?”
“The biggest one you have.” I challenged.
“I’m about to make a huge career move.” I waited for the details and he didn’t disappoint. “Your nephew and his grandfather-in-law offered me a sweet position at their firm the other night, and I signed on the spot.”
“That’s great…isn’t it?”
“It’s fantastic! I’ve got the corner office with a view of the city, I’ll head the real-estate department, and I get a big fat raise. In addition to all those perks, they’re willing to use me as their agent on a building they want to purchase.”
“I didn’t know Donovan was interested in becoming a slum lord like his aunt. Real estate savvy must run in the Taylor family, too.” I kidded.
“Your nephew is not only a smart dresser, but he’s also one brilliant man. I guess he’s also good looking, full of personality, a commanding lawyer, and married to a gorgeous woman. Damn! Now, I feel like a loser. You see what you’ve done to me, Bee?” He and I clinked our margarita glasses and said a salud in good cheer.
“Tell me the details of this building, and why you’re playing a real estate agent rather than a lawyer.”
“The way Donovan convinced me to sign on with AAP was by dangling a huge bonus in my face—and AAP wasn’t going to spend a dime of their own money paying this bonus. That’s the real genius behind the entire deal.”
“You keep dangling these golden nuggets in front of me, but haven’t explained a damn thing.”
“I’m really not supposed to tell you, but seeing as how you’re Donovan’s dear old aunt…” I socked him hard on the arm for that one. “Ow, Woman! Damn, that hurt.” He complained, but kissed me on the cheek. “Apparently, Mr. Taylor thought AAP LA was paying too much rent and made his first major decis
ion as the head of the company by purchasing the building next door.”
“Isn’t that expensive?”
“It is…but if you consider that the building has many leasable office spaces, and once AAP takes up the top five floors, everyone else will want to be housed in a building with a powerful law firm.”
“You mean to tell me that companies will flock to this building because AAP is there?”
Luciano took a sip of his margarita and nodded his head. “The building was expensive, but a bargain because it sits empty. Once AAP LA situate themselves, it will bring up the value of that building immediately.”
“And your bonus? You going to explain?”
“I’ll explain if you’ll do me two favors.”
“What are the two favors?”
“Promise me you’ll say yes, first.”
“Do I look drunk to you? You think two margaritas will make me loopy?” I uncharacteristically giggled. Luciano stared me down in a funny way. I had to give in. “Oh, all right! But if it has anything to do with dancing on tables, or wet t-shirt contests, I can’t do it.”
“Damn! Those were numbers one and two,” he spoke seriously. “All right. Let me bring up numbers three and four. When the sale of the building is done, I asked Donovan for a two-week break. Aside from all the crap that needs to be done before moving into my swanky new office, I want to take a vacation…with you. I’m not asking for anything but to be able to spend uninterrupted time with you. We’ve been seeing each other for a couple of weeks, and I haven’t even asked for a kiss, so you know I won’t push you into anything you’re not ready for right now.”
“OK…what’s number four?”
“Rather than Luciano, will you call me Luke?” He could tell I wanted to ask why. “My father is a Spaniard and my mother is Italian, and when we emigrated here from Spain twenty years ago, they wanted me to assimilate. My parents thought the best way to do that was to change my name to Luke. About eight years ago when I went to work in Spain, I changed my name back to Luciano, but my family still calls me Luke. They are the only ones to use that name and you feel like family to me.”
After Nick and Michael, was I ready for a Luke?
March 13, 2014 NICK: Numbers
“What brings you here? Are you Robert Reid’s spokesperson?” Max asked, as he sat next to me in Laney’s living room.
“Something like that,” I explained. I found it silly that my father was bequeathing me his portion of the law firm when he himself only had a verbal commitment of “that” portion. Who gives away a gift he doesn’t have in hand?
“Dad give you his percentage of the firm?” No one could ever accuse my sister of being dumb.
“Something like that,” I explained again.
There were more people than I expected. Donovan’s parents were in attendance, and there was a speakerphone in the middle of the room with all of Donovan’s sisters and brother-in-laws on the phone. Jane walked over to say hello to Becky, and before everyone took their seats, I saw Bee walking in and seating herself next to Laney, Scott, and Jamie. I tried to get her attention and say hello, but as usual, I was a nickel too short and a dime too late.
“Everyone!” Donovan called the meeting to order. The entire Reid family was in attendance for this important meeting as well. We had received an email from Donovan a few days ago, stating that though it wasn’t a must we all attend, it would be to our benefit. Since I only lived across the street from the meeting, I saw no reason not to see what this important meeting was all about. “Are we missing anyone?”
Everyone looked around, and the chief answered, “We’re all here, Son. Let’s get the show on the road.”
“Hello Reids, Taylors, and one Davis.” There was a round of hellos in return. “I have exciting news for our firm. AAP LA has secured the purchase of the building next door to us!” Whoa. That was huge. I wasn’t expecting that. “Roland and I decided that the exorbitant rent we were paying would be better served paying down a mortgage.”
The room got loud and boisterous. By the smiles on everyone’s faces, my uncles were pleased with the news. “Settle down, people. There’s more,” Grandfather encouraged.
My cousin-in-law took the stage again. “The building we are moving into is expensive, but was purchased at a fair price because it sits empty and is relatively small. AAP will take up five of the ten floors that still need occupants. We’ve hired a new real estate lawyer, who has worked successfully in the past as a commercial broker, who will make sure the rest of the five floors are soon occupied.”
“Did you know this?” I asked Max, and he nodded that he knew. Stupid me. Of course he knew. Jane was Donovan’s sidekick in this law firm venture.
“AAP has put up a significant down payment, so the mortgage will be covered even if the other five floors are not leased.” The room was dead silent waiting for the punch line. “After much discussion, Roland and I have decided to personally invest in this building, along with AAP. In essence, we will be forming a separate real estate company, and will be part owners of the building, along with AAP LA. If all goes well, we could eventually do the same with all the AAPs.”
“So why are we here?” I asked Jane.
“Be quiet and listen!” She was annoyed with me. Whatever!
“The firm put 50% down on the purchase of this building. Roland and I put down another 20%. We thought we’d put the other 30% in your hands if you want to be a part of this investment opportunity.” While the room was buzzing with excitement, out of nowhere, the guy I saw with Bee the other night handed out packets for our perusal. “In this packet, you’ll see the investment amounts available to you only, and the returns you will receive as spaces in the building are leased. This is not mandatory. We can get a loan for the other 30%. But, if we can keep this all in the family, we’d like to do so.”
What a great opportunity, but where the hell would I get the money to even be a ½% investor?
My grandfather stepped in, and told us the rest of the story. “To be fair, there are fifteen of you who can invest and obviously, some of you have more money than others. For this building, you can each buy 2% shares until some of you start giving up your opportunities. This is to stay within the three families and whatever is not purchased, we will either get a loan, or Donovan and I will buy up the rest. If all goes well, we’d like to move the rest of our firms and create the same real estate purchases. If this is not the right time for you to purchase, you will have chances down the road. Just a reminder to the Reids who will eventually hold shares of the firm, you are already 50% owners of prime real estate in LA. If you don’t wish to invest any further, that will be just fine.”
“For my siblings on the phone, a copy of the packet is in your inbox. We need answers from everyone by the end of the week. Meeting adjourned.” Donovan announced, and the meeting was anything but adjourned. A hoard of people went to Donovan and Grandfather for answers.
“Well?” Max had a knowing grin. “You going to invest?”
“You do know I’m a med student who still receives an allowance from his parents? Pathetic, but true,” I informed my future brother-in-law. “I take it you and Jane will invest?”
“I believe we will. My brothers will invest as one, and my parents will invest as well. It’s a tremendous and generous opportunity.”
“Good for you.” I congratulated Max, and said my goodbyes.
Bee was standing around, not really talking to anyone in particular, and I was about to say hello when her “date” beat me to it and led her toward the kitchen. I didn’t like the way he had a possessive hand on her, pulling her tighter into his arms. That didn’t look right. It should have been…us? Who the hell knew? I hated feeling conflicted. I didn’t need or want this frustrating feeling. I chose to leave the happy scene.
“You’re home early.” Gram greeted me.
“Yeah. There wasn’t much else for me to do once I heard the good news. That new cousin
of mine sure moves fast.”
“Donovan has always been a self-motivated go-getter. He and Jane will do a fine job with the law firm once it’s fully in their hands.”
“I think so, too, Gram. Goodnight.” Tonight was a small wake-up call for me, and I wanted to go up to my room and brood.
“Nick?”
“Yes, Gram?”
“Would you like to tell your grandmother what’s bothering you? Is it Bee? I assume you two are no longer together?”
Did I want to repeat the story? The way Gram was staring me down, I didn’t really have a choice.
I went through the entire Nick and Bee saga and ended with, “So you see why Bee and I can’t work?”
“Do you truly believe you will stay single for ten years?”