On The Dotted Line

by Kim Carmichael

  Jade continued to read the papers. “Yes?”

  “Nan and I moved into the upstairs of the store a few weeks ago.” She dug her nails into her palm, but she promised Nan, the woman who raised her, she would tell Jade the truth. With the words out, the weight on her chest lightened a bit.

  Jade looked up from the documents.

  “I’m sorry, I should have said something.” Her mouth dried out. “If we can just stay a little longer.”

  “Is Nan okay going up and down the stairs?” Jade winced.

  Leave it to Jade to be concerned with Nan and not call attention to the fact they didn’t have a real home. “Yeah, it takes her a minute, but she needs the exercise.”

  “Please be careful, and if there’s anything you need--”

  “I’ll figure it out.” Not wanting to take one more thing from her friend, Willow cut her off. “The universe will make its decision, and if we can’t get caught up we will leave.”

  “I’m fine, seriously.” Jade gave her a smile and held her arms up. “I am a work in progress and I’m blooming. Just work on it okay?”

  “I have something for you.” She smiled at Jade’s costume wishing she had the ability to bloom as well. While she may have received a reprieve, she didn’t get the pardon. Her friend and landlord gave her an incredible deal on the rent. She looked inside her oversized bag in search of her meager offering. Not that she wanted or expected one. “Hold on.” One day she would remember to carry a flashlight, but she would put it in her purse and it would end up at the bottom. She turned her bag over onto her lap. Her wallet, crochet project, various stones she picked up along the way, pictures and more paperwork tumbled out.

  “Wow,” Jade gasped. “Amazing what that bag holds.”

  She rifled through the assortment and held a piece of jade she made into a necklace out to her. “It seemed fitting.”

  “You don’t have to.”

  She gave her the gift. “Jade is green, the color of healing and hope. It is also for luck, though I already think you are pretty lucky.” Karma, the universe, or the gods blessed Jade with a great career and parents and a wonderful boyfriend. The woman fit her name. Maybe one day her own energy would change. Nan kept telling her to be patient, she was paying her dues. The only problem was she already had too much debt and needed a windfall. All her troubles came from the material world or the fact she had no material.

  “I think I should change into something more befitting Randolph’s birthday.” Jade took off her hat of flowers, stood and put the necklace on as she headed for the door. “Thank you.”

  “Thank you.” She scooped everything back into her purse and joined Jade.

  “Absolutely.” Jade nodded. “You’re going to stay for the party, right?”

  With nowhere else to go, and reluctant to face Nan yet, she shrugged.

  “At least go have a drink or something, and give Randolph something to look at.” Her friend winked.

  She tensed. “Maybe I’ll sneak away and let him have his day.”

  Jade headed toward the door. “I think he likes to tease you so he can get your attention.”

  Her cheeks heated.

  “Someone’s blushing.” Jade raised her eyebrows. “I’ll see you out there.”

  She stood in the small hallway by herself. Music and laughter echoed through the building and all around her. Not in the mood for a party, she decided maybe the best course of action would be to take a walk and clear her head before returning back to her makeshift home.

  Wanting to make a clean getaway, she tiptoed toward the exit. The noise indicated the party was in full force with food, drinks and a ton of people.

  In a self-indulgent moment she stopped and glanced around, instantly spotting Randolph. The man stood out in his tailored suit giving him an air of power, but his blond curls and mischievous green eyes gave him a playful air and were equally as fun to look at, the same way she would stare at teen idols when she was younger.

  All she knew about him was his family owned a bank, actually banks and he was exceptionally, incredibly irritating. Irritating in the same way a clothing tag would scratch at someone’s skin but it couldn’t be ripped out. The few times she talked to him only ended with him being condescending, and her saying something to try to match it. The man was in no way good for the psyche. Yes, he was irritating and he also was coming her way.

  She turned away, wondering how bad it would appear to go running. With fleeing from the scene not an option, she straightened up.

  “May I get you a drink?” He flashed her a smile of perfect pearly whites fit for any pre-pubescent girl’s wall.

  Okay, if he was going to be nice, she would return the gesture. Maybe it would even out all the bad energy. “Thank you. I think I’m just going to go, but I do wish you a happy birthday.”

  “I wanted to talk to you. I think I can help you.” The smile didn’t waiver one bit.

  “I’ll be fine. I would rather not have any more business advice.” She took a step backward.

  “It wasn’t business advice, but rather a dose of reality.” Still the smile, but he glanced at his watch.

  “Reality?” Why couldn’t he leave them be at a happy birthday and a disobedient curl falling on his forehead?

  “Yes. I know you live in an alternate universe, but I wanted to bring you back down to earth.” He put his arm out as if to guide her to do what he wanted.

  Her heart seized and she broke out into a sweat. She longed to slap him across the face, but held back. “One day I hope you regret the fact you never visited an alternative universe, but I’m sure by then it will be too late for you. Enjoy earth.” She swallowed back the burning bile in her throat and rushed out of the gallery into the alley.

  Nan always said all she needed was fresh air and a night sky to be happy, her way of explaining how material things didn’t matter. However, when rain started or the temperatures soared or sank, it was pretty nice to have a roof over her head. After everything the woman had done for her, she needed to figure out some solution before they ended up on the street.

  “You left before cake.” Randolph’s voice seemed to fill the alleyway.

  She wrapped her arms around her shoulders and stared up at the stars wondering if up there somewhere a female on another planet gazed in her direction with some jerk banker bugging her from behind as she tried to figure out how to fix her life and her credit score. Did they even have FICO in other galaxies? “I think I’ve watched you blow enough hot air for the duration. I can picture it just like I was there.”

  “I didn’t know you were clairvoyant as well.” He chuckled.

  Shivers overtook her with each inch he came closer. “I’m not, but I still see you leaving me alone.”

  “I deserved that, and I do want to apologize for my comments earlier.” He stood beside her and glanced at his watch. “Also, as I said before I wanted to talk to you.”

  “Is this a timed conversation? Can it be less than ten seconds?” His aura clashed with hers making it impossible for her to concentrate and causing ugly words to leave her mouth.

  “I may need a little more than ten seconds.” Once more he looked at his watch.

  “But not much more.” She turned to him.

  “Now that hurt.” He lowered his arm, then, as if he couldn’t control himself, he lifted his wrist to his face again.

  “What could you possibly need to talk to me about when you have something so pressing going on with your watch?” The acid of negativity Nan spoke of built up in her blood, singeing her skin. “I’m sure my paltry little problems aren’t enough for you to miss an appointment or party over.”

  “First, your problems are huge. Let’s make no mistake about that.” He shoved his hands in his pockets and leaned back on his heels. “Second, you’re not the only person in this alley with huge problems.”

  She studied him. All her life she had been reminded not to judge on outward appearances and material possessions, but the man’s sh
oes cost a small fortune, his cufflinks a large one. What did this man even know of problems? Also, who wore cufflinks anymore?

  “May I tell you?” He glanced at her.

  “Fine.” She swallowed, preventing herself from letting loose another insult.

  “What if I told you I was supposed to get married today?”

  Only because his voice lowered as if it wanted to fall on the gravel and be run over did she manage to forgo the comment about a ten-second honeymoon. “I would say check your watch again, you only have a few hours left.”

  He paced in a circle ending up back in front of her. “She cancelled on me at two o’clock, right before I was supposed to meet her at the courthouse.”

  Though nothing appeared funny, she sucked in her cheeks and waited for the punch line. She refused to succumb and ask what happened only to have him make a snide comment about numerology or something. “Well, look at the bright side, you got to buy some art instead. Something much quieter with lower maintenance.” She slighted a woman she didn’t even know as if his situation were personal. It wasn’t like she was planning on marrying the man. Somehow he brought her to new lows.

  “All my life I had these goals I had to meet. My father actually has a checklist and every time I meet one of the milestones his personal assistant notarizes the list.” He seemed to be speaking more to himself than her.

  “What kind of goals?” She balled her hand in a fist not wanting to become engaged in his tale.

  “Valedictorian in high school, charity work.” He counted the items off on his fingers. “Summa cum laude graduate in college. I had a 4.0 average.”

  “Ask a banker a question and he gives you his numbers.” She bit her own tongue to stop the laughter.

  “I had one more item on my list, something my father added and then I was done.” He straightened up. “One more and my trust fund, the business, everything would be mine. My life would be mine.”

  “One more thing?” She crossed her arms. His gaze intense, those green eyes darkened turning almost black as if they wanted to absorb everything and give nothing in return.

  “I had to get married by my thirty-third birthday. Stay married for at least a year, and on my thirty-fourth birthday I would be free.” He turned to the ground.

  For a moment they didn’t speak, only the music from inside the art gallery interrupted their silence.

  “Now who is living in the alternate universe?”

  “I wish it were me.” He repeated his action of walking around in a circle.

  “You’re not kidding about this list are you?” She stepped toward him.

  He shook his head. “I’m completely serious.”

  “So what happens if you don’t make it?” Fairytale or not, she wanted to know the end. At least the story was an amazing distraction from her issues.

  He rubbed his hand over his face. “I don’t lose. I can’t lose. I won’t lose.”

  “Do you have a bride in your pocket and a Justice of the Peace around the corner?”

  “I have a charter plane at my beck and call.” He lifted his head. “And I have you.”

  Everyone had their certain moments in life they would always remember. Some of these moments were shared with the world such as man landing on the moon. Other moments like special birthdays or life changing events one was supposed to keep forever. Then there were the moments, little flashes that stuck with someone for the rest of their lives but would be meaningless to anyone else.

  Randolph mentioning her, marriage, and a charter plane together qualified as one of those moments in her life.

  She forced herself to take a breath, move, react in any sort of way to his idiocy. “I think the fever is getting to you. Maybe you need to go home.”

  “Actually, I feel surprisingly better. I think what you gave me worked.” He tilted his head, his curls tumbling off to one side with the motion.

  “So says the naysayer.” No one was ever surprised when a prescription worked, but everyone was amazed when what nature doled out did the job. Actually, she was amazed he gave her remedy a shot.

  “Maybe you’re on to something.” He pointed at her. “At last my head isn’t pounding. You did that.”

  “Then I need to go home. I think I’m going to be sick.” She needed to go anywhere deemed a Randolph-free zone. She walked down the alley toward her store, the gravel digging into the bottom of her sandals.

  “Lest you forget you don’t have a home.” He called after her.

  “Don’t let him get to you,” she mumbled and forced herself forward. He must have continued to eavesdrop on her and Jade.

  “How much longer are you going to be able to put off not paying your landlord?”

  His words hit her, and nearly knocked her over.

  “You know you may have something I need, but the street goes both ways.” He followed her down the alley.

  Not wanting to hear whatever argument he spewed, she continued her trek.

  “What is it you want Willow? What if I told you I could make it happen?”

  “I just want to be happy.” Her steps slowed.

  “You know, if you married me I would get the rent current within three seconds of saying yes and you would never fall behind again.” The man continued. “I could also make sure you never had to buy anything but the best ingredients for your store. If your headache remedy is any indication, they work.”

  Her mind yelled for her to keep walking. At the end of the alley she would be at her shop, go up the flight of stairs, make a cup of tea and get rid of his bad vibes.

  “I can make you happy. I have the money and the connections. You would be set, all for only three hundred and sixty-five days of your life.”

  Some force beyond her control made her turn to him.

  “You know, I’m thinking that living in mansion may be a better alternative to your cramped quarters above your store.” He inched toward her. “Think about it, all your expenses paid, time to concentrate on anything you like, luxury living, and at the end…”

  Once again she found herself face to face with him.

  “This time next year, your own business is perfectly set up and you’ll have seven figures to do with what you please.”

  Seven figures? Images of stacks of money, stacks and stacks of money like a cartoon appeared in her mind. She barely ever had three figures to her name let alone seven. Still, she opened her mouth, inhaling to get the power to tell him exactly what she thought of his offer, how she couldn’t be bought and sold.

  “Don’t give me the line about money not buying happiness.” He leaned forward. “It may not buy happiness, but it buys security, wellbeing and potential.”

  Maybe the man should have been an attorney instead. She almost believed him. Almost. “I am sure if you have all that money you could find a different girl much better suited for your needs.” She pointed toward the street. “Hollywood and Vine may have what you’re looking for.”

  He held his hands out as if tossing the ball into her court.

  Curiosity alone made her ask the next question. At least she told herself it was curiosity and not consideration. “What would this marriage entail?”

  “Funny you should ask. I happen to have a prenuptial agreement I can tweak rather easily.” He reached into his suit jacket pocket and pulled out a folded paper. “For the duration of the year we would need to live at my family’s mansion. We would have our own wing.”

  “Of course, and I’m assuming a chef, maid and butler as well.” The minute she returned home she needed one heck of a cleansing to make everything she heard go away.

  “Five maids, maybe six, one butler, several various assistants, a chef, and a chauffeur.” He flicked the paper. “We need to be in the same bed every night. We must be together by midnight.”

  “What happens if we’re not? Will you turn into a monster?” She tapped her foot. “Actually, I think you’re already a monster, so maybe we’ll all turn into pumpkins.”

  “I neve
r want us to appear anything other than happily married.” He went on without a hitch. “We spend the holidays up with my grandparents in Vermont.”

  “You have grandparents?”

  “We all have our shortcomings.” He shrugged. “I am not to compensate you for your year of service.”

  “But…” She swore before this conversation finished she would slap him or herself for thinking about the monetary gain and she forced the visions of those perfect piles of money out of her consciousness.

  “However, there’s a loophole even my father didn’t consider.” He raised one finger. “I am allowed to be involved in your line of work, and every decent husband gives his wife a monthly allowance. How else can you do all the things that make you a good wife?”

  “I don’t think anyone could make you a good wife, least of all me.” She curtseyed. A long forgotten tingle in the back of her nose indicated tears might be on the way. “I bid you goodnight Mr. Van Ayers, and thank you for my bedtime story.”

  “You know, until I saw you tonight I gave up. I never give up.”

  A nuance in his voice, a small shake, a fault in the perfect timbre made her pause. Nan always told her to look for the subtle signs. The truth and the beauty would be found in what most people overlooked. She lifted her head. Any semblance of amusement or a smile vanished from his face. “Why me? Just because I don’t wear a suit doesn’t make me your fool.”

  “I don’t think you’re a fool.” He held his hand out as if to stop her. “I thought above anyone else on the planet you would be open-minded to helping us both out.”

  A breeze whispered through the alley. Chills ran through her and she hugged herself since no one would be around to do it for her. “You’re serious.”

  He remained silent.

  “The story, the list, the marriage, the money, you’re not joking.” She stomped her foot. “Swear to me you’re not joking.”

  He put his hand over his heart. “I would take an oath if I could. You can notarize my words.”

  She closed her eyes needing to block out everything and think. The answers to her problems couldn’t be as easy as a year penance with some snarky, albeit gorgeous, banker.