Downtown Billionaire

by Hannah Jo Abbott

  A slow smile spread across his lips and he felt the peace and relief of turning it over to God. An idea began to form in his mind that he knew was from The Lord. His heart pounded in excitement over the future.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  The microwave beeped and Lacey let out a little yelp as she pulled out the piping hot popcorn bag. Blowing on her fingers she reached for a bowl and poured the popcorn in as the steam rose. She poured a generous amount of salt and topped it with melted butter, then she grabbed her diet coke and hummed as she walked into the living room. After her time in tears at the library, and drowning her sorrows in a large chocolate milkshake, she had gathered up the courage to move on with her life. Today was a new day. A day spent working on lesson plans and catching up on laundry, but a new day nonetheless. At least laundry for one only takes a couple of loads, she told herself. The sun was sinking and she had finished up her personal-sized pizza. Now she was planning to enjoy her not-personal-sized bag of popcorn while she watched a movie. Whatever movie I want. See? Single life isn’t so bad. She smiled, proud of herself for enjoying her life on her own terms. She didn’t need anyone else telling her what to do, or expecting her to be somewhere on a Friday night. Lacey sighed, this was good, wasn’t it?

  Fifteen minutes into her movie, and all the way into her popcorn, Lacey’s phone rang. Hoping it wasn’t Miranda, whose calls she had been ignoring, she glanced at the screen. Sighing, she hoped this was better than her mom calling. “Hey Mallory,” she tried to sound upbeat.

  “Hey! How are you?”

  Lacey glanced around, the piles of laundry had been put away in no time, so her apartment was spotless, except for the popcorn bowl and the remote on the couch. “I’m good, how are you?”

  “Good,” Mallory sounded casual and carefree.

  “No exciting plans with Pete tonight?”

  “Nah, just a lazy night at home. We had a busy week, so taking it easy.”

  “Mmhmm.”

  “What about you? You’re not out with Andrew?”

  Lacey had been avoiding this conversation too. They hadn’t talked on the phone lately and even in her texts to Mallory, she had kept the topic from coming up in detail. “Well, no.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Lacey…” Mallory gave her that tone and Lacey knew she couldn’t keep anything from her friend. And why would she? It was over anyway.

  “We’re not seeing each other anymore.”

  “Why? What happened?” Mallory was practically shouting. “You two were perfect in New York.”

  “Well that was New York, and this is Alabama.”

  “Lacey, that’s ridiculous, I know you care about him. I could see it all over your face.”

  Lacey shrugged. “He’s just not who I thought he was.”

  “What does that mean?”

  Lacey went on to tell her friend about the library situation, she left out the details about Andrew’s money. She knew that wasn’t her secret to tell. She only said, “And I found out some things about him that he kept from me. I’m just not comfortable knowing he wasn’t honest with me.”

  Mallory sighed loudly over the phone. “I’m sorry.” There was a long, silent pause. “I just thought you two were so cute together. And you’ve seemed so happy this summer. I was just sure that he was the one.”

  Lacey wanted to cry, because she had been sure too, but she forced a light laugh instead. “Well I’ve decided there isn’t one. Not for me at least. I’m good with it just being me. I’ve been on my own for a long time, so it would be hard to get used to someone else being part of my life anyway.”

  “Hmm,” Mallory sounded thoughtful. “I don’t know, I kind of felt the same way for a while. I liked doing my own thing, living my life, and I tried really hard to convince myself that was what I wanted. But deep down, I knew that it wasn’t.” She sighed again. “Lacey, I’m sure that this is hard, and I know you’re upset about the library. But I saw you two together, and I think you could look back and see that this was just a bump in the road. You know couples don’t always agree on things, even big things. But if you really love each other, you figure it out, and you kiss and make up.”

  Lacey touched her lips at the thought of kissing Andrew.

  Mallory continued. “And I don’t know what it is that he didn’t tell you, but I’m sure that he had a reason, and if you give him a chance, you might be glad you did.”

  “I don’t know, it’s kind of a big deal.”

  “Not to compare your situation, because I know it’s not the same thing, but I didn’t think I could ever give Pete a second chance. But I’m sure glad that I did.”

  Lacey bit her lip. She knew that if Mallory could find a way to love Pete after he left town without a word, and didn’t speak to her for five years, then Lacey should consider hearing Andrew out. But she sat up straight and squared her shoulders. “I just don’t think I’m ready for that.”

  “That’s all right. But maybe you will be sometime. So just don’t lock the door yet, okay?”

  Lacey smiled at her friend’s optimism. “Thanks Mallory, I’ll try.”

  “You do that.” Mallory giggled then and spoke in a squeal to someone who wasn’t Lacey. “I’m sorry, I have to go,” she giggled and squealed again. “I’ll call you later.” Mallory hung up and Lacey could hear her talking to her husband just before she hit the button to end the call.

  A sigh escaped her lips, and with it a sadness and a longing she didn’t even know was there. Mallory had found her someone, her “the one”. And Mallory was right too, Lacey had been there when she was telling herself she was fine being single, and it had been easier then too. Because I was single too. And now she’s gone off and gotten all married and happy, and I’m still here. She tried the best she could to push away the lonely thoughts. But when she glanced up at the television, the romantic comedy playing on the screen no longer seemed appealing. Did she really want to spend an hour watching someone else fall in love? She turned the TV off and tossed the remote aside. She sat for a minute thinking about what to do with her night. If she wasn’t going to watch TV, she might as well get some work done.

  Going to her room, she picked up her stack of books and notebook from the bedside table to work on her lesson plans. She was perfectly settled on her bed with her resources spread around her when she realized she had lost her pen. Groaning, she climbed from her spot and began searching the room. When she didn’t see it on top of the table, she opened the drawer in the night stand and began pushing things around. She stopped when she saw something she had to admit she hadn’t picked up in a while. Her Bible.

  Closing her eyes and stopping to take a deep breath, she took it out of the drawer and climbed back on the bed. For a minute, she did nothing but sit with The Bible on her lap. She had been crying, fuming, rationalizing, and telling herself she would be fine. But she hadn’t done the one thing she should have done: Pray.

  When the words finally came, they tumbled out in a flood. “God, I’m sorry. I’ve been so busy being upset that I haven’t stopped to talk to You. I thought things were going so well with Andrew, but I didn’t know he was going to turn out to be a jerk, or that he was hiding billions of dollars from me. How could he do that? And how could You let me think I had finally found someone special, someone who really liked me like I am, only to let him steal my library building and lie to me?” She paused as she sniffed and brushed away a tear from her cheek. “Well, I mean, I guess he didn’t really lie to me. But he didn’t tell me the whole truth. He didn’t trust me with the truth, and I think that hurts worse than a lie. I’ve worked hard my whole life to get away from my mother’s reputation. By the time I was in middle school, she was already known for being out of work and always looking for a handout, or to scheme someone into paying for her.”

  Lacey squeezed her eyes closed at the memory of how people looked at her. Maybe that was why she had built her tough exterior, why she had learned to b
e fun and happy so people would like her. But she would never forget when Tyler Fisher’s lunch money went missing from his backpack. Lacey knew she hadn’t taken it, but she still stared at her shoes and felt all the eyes in the class on her when the teacher asked everyone to help look for the money. They had found the envelope five minutes later, stuck in a book inside the backpack. It had never even been gone. But the pit in her stomach stayed with Lacey all day. She knew two things that day: That she was poor, and that everyone expected her to steal things because of it.

  “God, why? Why did it have to be money? I hate money, and I certainly don’t want his money. But he was afraid to tell me about it. Afraid I would be like my own mother who goes after men for their financial status.” She sniffed again and shook her head as if to say that was it. “But God, I want to move on. I don’t want to worry about Andrew, or the library, or his stupid money. But I don’t know what to do next. I miss Mallory. I miss having a friend to talk to. And…” she took a deep breath and made herself admit it. “And I’m lonely.”

  Lacey felt a gentle whisper say, I am with you. I have never left you.

  She wanted to cry all over again. Of course God was with her. “I’m never alone,” she said out loud. “Thank You for reminding me.”

  Another nudge in her heart told her that He didn’t plan for her to be single either. She couldn’t help it, but she just couldn’t give into that thought tonight. Maybe I can believe that another day.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  Did you get the flight itinerary I sent you?

  Lacey looked at the text from Mallory and had no idea what she was talking about. What flight itinerary?

  An eye-rolling emoji came across Lacey’s screen. I was trying to tell you that I’m coming to visit!

  What??!??! Why didn’t you just say that?

  I sent you the flight information two days ago. It says “Flying from New York to Birmingham.”

  Where did you send it?

  To your email. Don’t you ever check it?

  My personal email? Not really. Everything important comes to my school email.

  Well, this important information came to your email.

  Sorry! But I’m so excited! When will you be here????

  Go check your email.

  Lacey rolled her eyes and sat on the couch in her apartment to open up her laptop. It was true that she didn’t bother checking her email often. Mallory was always telling her she should have it sent to her phone, but she didn’t like hearing it go off all the time just to tell her she had junk email. A few clicks and she opened up her email and saw the one from Mallory. She opened it up and saw that her friend would arrive in just two days. Must be nice to have your own private jet to jump into whenever you want to travel.

  She was just about to shut the computer when another email caught her eye. It was several rows down from Mallory’s email, and the date showed that it had been sent a week earlier. Lacey’s heart sank when she saw her mother’s name with the subject line “Can’t wait to see you!” She hesitated with the cursor over the email. While an email about Mallory’s upcoming visit was welcome, an email about a visit from Miranda was impending doom. Breathing out loudly, Lacey clicked the email and braced herself.

  “Hey, sweetie! I wanted this to be a surprise, but I just couldn’t keep from telling you any longer! I called Andrew and talked to him, and he is going to help me find a place to live in Pine Haven!”

  Lacey’s eyes grew wide and she felt the blood begin to pound in her head. She wanted to scream, but she quickly read on.

  “Don’t worry, honey. Everything is going to work out just fine. That sweet boyfriend of yours is going to help us both out, I just know it. I’ll see you soon!”

  Lacey tried not to throw the laptop across the room, but she pushed it across the couch not-so-gently. She let her face fall into her hands for several seconds, but her angry energy was pouring out and she had to do something. She stood and paced the room. The words jumbled in her mind, yelling one thing, then another that didn’t make any sense. Finally she cried out to try to stop her spinning mind. “Why?” She went to the couch and pounded a pillow. “Why would she do this? Why would he do this? This can’t be happening. She can’t come here. I’ll…I’ll…” she blurted out the only thing that came to her mind. “I’ll have to move!” As she said it, that began to make the most sense.

  “Yeah,” she said slowly, standing to pace the room again, less angry this time. “I can move. I can find a job teaching at a different elementary school in a new town, maybe even a new state. I could move to Tennessee and be close to my sister. Miranda can have Pine Haven and Andrew, and I can get a new life. Yeah.” She started picturing herself in a new town, one where no one knew her mother or her past. “I could start over. Be myself, and no one would have to know my family history.” She swallowed hard to push down the lump forming in her throat. “And maybe I could forget it too.”

  She sat on the couch and picked up her laptop. She didn’t waste any time and followed her brain’s wild thoughts, looking up school districts in other states and hoping she would find an opening for an elementary school teacher. Sure, it was late in the year to be looking, but it wasn’t totally impossible. And she wasn’t going to be picky.

  A knock at the front door startled her. Her hand went to her chest and she could feel that her pulse hadn’t slowed down since the email from her mom. She quickly looked at the email again and read her mother’s last sentence: “I’ll see you soon.”

  She knew that her mother must be on the other side of the door. Lacey sat staring at it for a moment, wondering if she could be very quiet and pretend she wasn’t home. Then maybe Miranda would wander off and she could pack a bag and sneak off. Lacey sighed knowing that was a little dramatic, even for her. Slowly, she rose and walked the few steps to the door, she took a deep breath and prepared herself to see the woman on the other side. She turned the knob and pulled the door open and gasped.

  “Hi.”

  “Andrew.”

  They stood staring at each other for a long silent minute. Lacey clung to the door knob so hard her knuckles were turning white. Andrew looked nervous, but sure of himself somehow.

  “Can I come in?” he finally asked.

  “Umm, I guess.” Lacey backed up and opened the door. She waited as he walked to the couch and then followed him and took a seat. She was too stunned at first to remember that she was angry at him, but it didn’t take long for her to find her way. “What are you doing here?” She demanded.

  “I wanted to talk to you.”

  “I wanted to talk to you too.”

  “You did?” Andrew raised his eyebrows, looking hopeful.

  “Yeah,” she pointed a finger at him, “What do you think you’re doing helping my mom find a place to live? You have to know that I didn’t want her to move back to Pine Haven, why would you do that?” Hot, angry tears filled her eyes.

  “Let me explain.”

  “So you’re not denying it? I can’t believe this!” Lacey stood and stomped to the kitchen. She couldn’t stand the sight of him. When she had calmed herself a bit and reminded herself that he was about to be out of her life forever, she went back to the couch. She was surprised to see that he sat as if he hadn’t moved, and he still looked calm.

  “Can I explain now?” he asked.

  “Do you need permission?”

  “I just want to know that you’re listening.”

  Lacey hung her head. That stung a little. She had tried to keep from letting herself believe that she hadn’t listened, but deep down she knew that was true. “I’m listening,” she said. But she crossed her arms for good measure.

  Andrew put his elbows on his knees and laced his hands together. “Your mother called me and asked me to help her find a place to live in Pine Haven. She also asked me to help her get on her feet until she was settled in with a job. She didn’t come right out and say it, but she wanted me to give her money.”

  Lacey dr
opped her head into her hands. She didn’t know this level of embarrassment existed. How could Miranda do this? She looked up and met Andrew’s eyes. “I’m sorry, she never should have done that. She just tries to get whatever she can.”

  “It’s all right, you don’t need to apologize for her.”

  Lacey saw kindness and compassion in his eyes, and for just a moment she wanted to believe him. But she found her nerve again. “But you agreed to it? Did you think if you gave her money and helped her out, then that would get us back together?” She pointed between the two of them. “Because if you did, you’re as crazy as her. Don’t you know that the last thing I need is for her to live here?”

  “Yes, I do.” Andrew’s voice was so calm that it shocked Lacey into silence. “I didn’t help her find a place to live in Pine Haven.”

  Lacey felt her face turn red and her eyes open wide. “But she sent me an email, and that’s what she said.”

  He held up a hand. “That’s what she asked. But do you really believe her over me?”

  Lacey looked in his eyes and thought about that. “No,” she whispered. She looked up and saw the tiniest smile spreading across his face. “But that’s not saying much.”

  “I know you don’t want her here. And I had no intention of giving her money. But I didn’t want to be rude. I have a friend who works in real estate in Georgia, since she’s already there I thought that was a good place to start. He connected me with an employment agency and I set her up for an interview. My buddy found a low-rent apartment that agreed to give her a chance, but the manager can talk to the employment agency and see that she gets a job if she wants to keep the place.”

  Lacey had thought this conversation couldn’t get any more surprising. “My mom? Miranda? Is going to get a job?”

  Andrew shrugged. “She promised she would try.”

  Lacey flopped back on the couch and laughed. “I would love to see that! What kind of job do you think they’ll find her?”