by K L Finalley
When she picked up her phone to place an order for flowers, she discovered someone there.
"Hello?"
"Hello?" Jacqueline hadn't expected a caller.
"Jacqueline, are you there?"
"Elet, did you call?"
"It didn't ring."
"It didn't ring for me either." Still perplexed, she tried to move beyond it. "What's going on?"
"I meant to call you the other day."
"This can't be good. Let's hear it," she began ordering flowers online.
"What does that mean?"
"I talked to Alex the other day and you tried to call me the other day. That means something I said she told you. You didn't like it. Now, you're calling me to tell me about it. This is the new normal."
"Is not," he replied, then immediately admitted, "okay, it is. Are you really selling the condo?" She took a deep breath. He could hear her exhale. "Don't get mad."
"I'm not mad. I've been expecting this call. I was prepared to have it until last night."
"What happened last night?" he asked.
"We had dinner with the Cummings. It was Mallory's brother's birthday. And, let's just say, there was a scene."
"Did you cause it?" he shot back.
"No, but thanks for being on my side."
"I had to ask. What happened?"
"Uh, when your little sister shows up to your birthday dinner with a black woman, what has to happen?"
Elet grunted. "Such bullshit. Was it bad?"
"Redneck bullshit. I held it together as best I could, but he stormed out of the restaurant and refused his gift. Then, he came back, snatched up his kids, and hauled ass."
Then, Elet sighed. "What'd Mallory say?"
"Not much. Things were quiet all night. That's what bothers me. I knew all along she was gonna have problems with people. You know?"
"Hell yeah, I know."
"I know you know."
"The condo's on the market. We spent yesterday morning looking at houses, but by last night, I started wondering…"
"Don't say that! Don't start doin' this!"
"She's not gonna pick me over them," finally, she admitted her worst fears aloud.
"It's not like that," he tried to comfort her even though he feared it could be true.
"You know, that's exactly how it is," she said.
"Sometimes, we walk a tightrope. We pretend for the sake of some dumb reasons. We hang onto traditions for family. We get together with people who don't really support us and have those awkward holidays, then you get in your car and go back to your real families."
"Your real families..." She repeated.
"The ones who you laugh with and are there for you no matter what. It's not about blood," he told her. "And, she's not gonna leave you."
"Did I say I was worried she might?" she said arrogantly.
"Of course not. But, if you happened to be sitting in your desk wondering if she was coming home tonight to pack her shit and say goodbye, she's not." Elet knew her too well. That's what she'd been thinking since the drive back from Temple Terrace last night. "Just be supportive. Do whatever you normally do on a Wednesday night. Talk about your day. Make dinner. Ask if she spoke to her folks about last night. Do whatever you normally do. That's being a couple. There's gonna be a lot of storms to weather. You know that. There's gonna be lots of weird looks and weird co-workers. There's going to be moments at all kinds of places and you can't think she's gonna leave every time. You've gotta think she's gonna stay. You can do this."
"Thanks," she said. "I mean it."
"You're welcome. I mean it."
"You've forgotten that you called to yell at me about selling my condo and moving in with a woman I barely know, " she teased.
"I was going to, but then I heard how much you love her and I couldn't. You did it for me about Alex." They were both silent for a moment. The last words he said were, "Jacqueline, family's the one we make. Remember that's true for all of us." Then, he hung up.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
She would have called him back if Jill hadn't walked into her office. "Is this a bad time?" Jill asked at her doorway.
"No, come in."
"You didn't have anything on your schedule right now, so I thought I'd stop by."
"Sure, it's not a problem at all. I have an afternoon appointment, so I'm glad we have a chance to speak before I have to leave. Have you had a chance to download the information and review my recommendation?"
Jill placed a folder on the corner of Jacqueline's desk and sat back in chair. "I have to say that I was sickened and stunned."
"It was unexpected."
"Unexpected isn't even the word that comes to mind. I don't even understand how anyone could think that this would be acceptable. Personally, I am disgusted by her behavior. From a HR perspective, she is on an action plan for an attendance matter, which stipulates that there can be no other conduct violations. This matter is a collection of conduct violations."
"That was my concern."
"In addition, I think it could be a civil matter that Nelson could opt to pursue. I don't think he could pursue it against the company, because we were not made aware until Monday and we acted immediately. However, I think he could take action against her."
"I agree that he could. I doubt he will, " Jacqueline knew he wouldn't.
"Jacqueline, she is a very disturbed young woman."
"She pursued me with some similar techniques in the fall."
"You never told me!" Jill became upset. "Whether or not, you are the Managing Editor, you are still an employee and I am responsible for guaranteeing a safe environment for all employees."
"Thank you for your concern, Jill, but I was better able than Nelson was at containing the problem."
"You had power on your side. This is what happens to the powerless," Jill declared.
"You're right," Jacqueline sighed. "What's next?"
"As you might have imagined, I have approved her immediate termination. I have scheduled a Friday afternoon meeting in the conference room for the three of us to handle it. Are you up to it?"
"I am never up to it, but it must be done."
"Do you think we'll need security? I really do think she's troubled," Jill looked afraid.
Jacqueline scoffed. "Jill, she's not trouble. Not really. She wants to be trouble. I was trouble once a long time ago. I haven't been trouble in a long time, but I think the skills are still there if I need them. I think we can out crazy her crazy if it's needed."
Jill didn't look as though she was certain by what that meant. "Okay. I will follow your lead."
"Do that."
~~~~~~~~~~~~
When Jacqueline exited the elevator, she was in the waiting room of the financial adviser. On past visits, she walked to the receptionist desk, waited to be acknowledged, confirmed her name and appointment time, and waited to be called. But, on this visit, things were different.
She exited the elevator and walked to the receptionist desk. The brown-haired late-twenty something greeted her as if she knew her personally. "How are you, Miss Emerson?"
Jacqueline felt bad for not knowing her name. "All is well. How are you?"
"I'm good for a Wednesday."
Jacqueline wasn't certain how to respond to that, but there was no time for a response. From the door behind the receptionist desk, Ethan O'Neill appeared. He was placing one arm in his jacket and trying to find the armhole for the other arm. "Hi, there, Jacqueline."
"Hi, Ethan." He'd never come out of the office to retrieve her before.
As they passed, the receptionist desk, he looked down on the receptionist and said, "Hold all my calls while we speak."
She said, "Of course." Then, she looked at Jacqueline and said, "See you later."
Awkwardly, Jacqueline said, "Goodbye." Once they were inside, Ethan's office, he removed the jacket and hung it on the back of his chair. Still standing, she used her thumb to point to the lobby, she asked "What was that all about?"
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"What?" he said settling into his chair.
"She spoke to me like we were best friends. She never knew my name before. Then, you came to get me with your jacket. Now, we're in here and there's no jacket. She said she'd see me later like I'm taking her out. What the hell?"
He smiled and pointed to the chair. "Take a seat. Go on," he pointed to the leather chair on the other side of his desk. "You're not dying."
"I feel like something's up."
"Well, Jacqueline, you've become a high-profile client."
"This is what my money buys. She knows my name and you put on the jacket for a half-minute."
Sweeping what was left of his hair, he said, "I can wear it the whole time if you want."
Laughing, she released him from that requirement. "Let's get down to it."
"Well, we kinda went over everything beforehand, so this is really just a formality."
"How'd it all go?"
"Just like we expected. The house sold for almost eight million dollars. After everyone got paid, there was roughly seven million distributed. I put aside fifty-five thousand for next year's capital gains taxes. I paid off the penthouse, Mallory's car loan, and student loans. I've setup eighteen high yield CDs with varying amounts and varying times for return. That's here." He passed her a stack. "There are the two mutual funds. This one is for ten years for a million dollars. This one is for twenty years for a million dollars."
"This is a lot. I never thought my father's place was worth all of that," Jacqueline said.
"I heard it was in the Palisades down in the Canyons."
"Yes, it was," she said with suspicion. Then, she asked, "How'd you hear all this?'
"Vicki told me." He was typing and printing, but he went on. "She called me from the house on one of her visits. It's like a compound, right? It's got a main house and a barn out back that your father used as a studio. She said there was handmade tiles all over and a hot tub on the terrace. I mean, it sounds so romantic."
"Yeah, I guess it was a great place," Jacqueline furrowed her brow at the idea that they'd spoke in such detail about her father's house.
"Did you grow up there?" he asked as he stapled and collected papers.
"Well, I visited him there several times a year. My parents had joint custody. I went back and forth as much as school would allow."
"It must've been great," he said as he collected a folder from this top right drawer.
"It was just home," she said. She was going to inquire about all of this, but then he returned to business.
"Okay. Here are the money market accounts. I never want you to have more than two hundred and fifty thousand in any of the single name account at a time. Do you know why?"
"No, why?"
"FDIC only insures up to that amount. Anything over that is not insured for replacement if something unfortunate happen so, we made four money market accounts at three banks."
"That's three million dollars."
"Good job with your speedy math skills, but that's incorrect. Oaky. At each bank, there's a joint that you and Mallory share. It has half a million in it. There's an account with just your name on it with a quarter of a million in it. There's an account with just her name on it with a quarter of a million in it and there's an account with just Zoe's name on it quarter of a million. However, you can take money out of any of the accounts and so can Mallory, just as you wanted. Is that still what you want?"
"Yes."
"We can setup limits on the amounts she can withdraw and spend. She'd never know."
"What?"
"I could place limits on her transactions. We could blame it on the bank. Obviously, we wouldn't disclose to her that those were your wishes."
"And, why would I limit her access?"
"To protect you," he said.
"From what?"
"From family, from outrageous purchases, from whatever," he suggested.
"I don't think it's necessary," she said. "Wait, if she came in here, would you say the same to her?"
"No, I work for you," he responded. "You have given her access to your money."
He said all of this with her best interest at heart and she knew it. But, just the same, it felt wrong. The entire conversation felt deceitful. She had to say something. "You do realize that her paychecks, her 401K, her everything is about to be deposited into these accounts, right?"
He leaned towards her. With a flush face and a nodding head, he said, "I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to offend you. I was offering a service…"
She interrupted. Placing her hand up to stop him from speaking, she went on, "Ethan, I need you to understand. This is our life and our money. There is nothing to hide and nothing to limit. She can go out and spend whatever she'd like on whatever she'd like. I don't want you to think that's an issue. Do you get what I'm saying?"
"I do. I really do. I wasn't trying to upset you."
With her eyes closed and her head down, she dismissed his apology. "Look, I know that some people hide money or sign pre-nups or do whatever. I'm just not going to be that way. I appreciate you looking out for me, but you don't have to. I'm going to take my chances."
"I absolutely understand," he said as he relaxed in his chair. "That's admirable of you."
"No, it's not. It's just love," she said softly. Hoping to dismiss the matter, she asked, "What's left?"
He returned to the stack of papers that lay between them. "A sizable bit. As we discussed, the remaining funds are there to purchase a new home, renovate it, and buy a boat."
"How much is there?"
"Three million."
"I wouldn't think we'd need all of that."
"People spend more than that," Ethan said.
"I don't believe I will this time."
"Really?"
"Really. A regular home with a nice neighborhood and good school."
"What will we do with the proceeds from the sale of the condo? Vicki told me that it's on the market," Ethan admitted.
"You two talk about me a lot?" Jacqueline was starting to become unnerved by these conversations.
"It gives me a reason to call," he admitted.
"Oh, now, I get it. I thought you were money-hungry," feeling less concerned about her finances. She sat back in the chair and said, "You like her!"
"Well, I do love money, but I am using information about you to talk to her."
"Why don't you just ask her out?"
"To where?"
"To dinner. You have money now." Jacqueline said as she arose from the chair and walked out of the office.
"Have a nice day, Miss Emerson," the receptionist said as Jacqueline awaited the elevator's return.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jacqueline took Elet's advice. She picked up Zoe from school and started dinner like any other day. The two were finishing up homework when Mallory walked through the door. She stuck her head into the living room when she heard the door open. Mallory looked exhausted. Her eyes were puffy and bloodshot. Her hair had lost its volume and laid flat against her head.
"Hey, babe," Jacqueline said from the kitchen.
"Hi," Mallory uttered.
From the dining room table, Zoe yelled, "Hi, Mom."
All Mallory mustered was another, "Hi."
Leaving the kitchen to check on her, Jacqueline pointed to Zoe and said, "Stay there and finish up your reading." Zoe gruffed. Mallory was lying on the couch. Her purse and briefcase remained by the front door. Jacqueline crouched down beside her. "Rough day? Wanna tell me about it?"
"After Zoe goes to bed," Mallory whispered.
"Okay," Jacqueline was nervous. "Wanna skip dinner, take a nice, warm bath and go lie in bed."
Sniffling a bit, she said, "No, I want to be with you and Zoe."
Jacqueline's heart warmed. It was good to hear that she wanted to be with them. "Well, the ribs aren't quite ready yet, so why don't you go get a nice shower? Maybe, it'll rejuvenate you."
"That's a good idea," she kissed her and got up from the co
uch. Jacqueline gathered the things she'd left behind and deposited them in the rooms where they belonged. Then, she returned to Zoe. "Okay, what page are you on?"
"The last page."
"Of the book or the chapter?"
"The chapter. I'm never gonna finish this book," Zoe wilted.
"You will. It'll just take time."
"Why do books even have chapters?"
"Longer stories are richer."
"I don't want richer."
"Longer is better. I promise." Grabbing her books from the dinner table, she grumbled out of the dining room into the direction of her bedroom. "While you are back there complaining, clean up for dinner." Jacqueline laughed to herself.
Mallory returned. Her skin was moist from the shower. Her face was clean and shiny. She looked a little less exhausted. "What's funny? I need to hear something funny."
"Hey there, you. A shower looks like it helped some."
"Some. What I need is a night's rest brought on by wine."
"I already have the bottle chillin'," Jacqueline teased.
"And, that's why I love you. Do you want help with dinner?"
"Nope, I got it." Jacqueline began setting the table, making the plates, and passing out the glasses. "Zoe, come to dinner."
Zoe emerged from her bedroom. "Hi, Mom."
"Hello, pumpkin."
"Pumpkin?" Zoe repeated as she slid into her chair. "You haven't called me that since I was little."
"You're still little."
"Am not. I'm eight."
Mallory laughed. She looked at her long locks and broad smile. She had gotten so tall in what felt like overnight. Zoe was all arms and legs. Mallory would have guessed that her torso hadn't changed since kindergarten, but her appendages were miles long. "How was school?"