Part 29 (1/2)
Charles rolled his eyes. His wife was always putting her nose where it didn't belong. ”Marie, I think that's between her and Chris, honey.”
”That's okay, Charles,” Lynn replied. Then addressing the woman who had asked the question, she added, ”Well, Marie, I would say the major thing is* Chris isn't a lesbian.”
”Oh.” Marie was confused. ”You could've fooled me. I've seen the way she looks at you. I had even discussed it with Charles, haven't I, dear?”
Charles nodded. ”You mean, Chris wasn't a lesbian when she met you? Lynn, you must have other talents besides giving good investment advice!” he joked, and then winked at Lynn.
Lynn blushed and put an end to the discussion. ”Maybe this should be between the two of us.”
”So you're not going to tell me how disappointed you are in me?” Matt asked, still in shock.
”The truth is, it did take some getting used to,” Charles admitted. ”But, over time, we've accepted it. So no, son, we're not disappointed in you because of your lifestyle. However, I am a little disappointed in you in regard to this little charade that's been going on. What did you think this would accomplish?”
”I'm sorry, Dad, Mom* I just thought that if you saw that I had a life here* that you wouldn't hold me to our little deal.” Matt rolled his eyes and looked over at Lynn. ”I'm not getting the loan extension.”
”My offer is still open,” Lynn suggested.
”A business loan, pure and simple. Monthly payments, late fees, the works?” Matt stated his conditions.
”Whatever you want,” Lynn agreed.
”Well then, Dad, I guess you will be getting that payment in full,” Matt said.
Charles nodded and smiled. ”I know Lynn wouldn't make a bad investment decision.” Then, looking at Lynn, he continued, ”I guess that you played along with this little scheme because Matt asked you to. I'd be mad at you if you hadn't just saved me thousands of dollars. Let's just say that one cancels out the other, shall we?”
Lynn nervously smiled. She was glad that the charade was over but uneasy about the way the rest of the evening was going to play out.
In the parking lot, Chris took Lynn's arm and asked, ”So, you are coming home tonight, right?”
Lynn, still feeling unsure, paused. ”My stuff is still at the hotel.”
”Well, if you don't mind, I'll ride with you to the hotel to pick it up. Then we can head on home,” Chris suggested.
Lynn looked at Matt for help. She was suspicious. She was confused. She was tired of it all. Matt returned her glance and shrugged. He was no help at all.
”I hope you don't mind the BMW. I haven't had a chance to pick up the truck,” Lynn said as she opened the door for her pa.s.senger. On her way around to the driver's side of the car, she pulled out her phone and made a call. She wanted to be prepared for anything.
Lynn pulled out onto the highway. ”I've been staying in the city, so it will take a few minutes to get there.”
Chris nodded and stared out her window. Now that they were alone, she was finding it hard to decide what to say. She was saved by the sound of Lynn's cell phone ringing. Lynn looked down at the number and sighed.
”I have to take this,” she explained as she pressed the b.u.t.ton turning on the speaker box.
”This is Lynn Gregory,” she said out loud. Chris was a little nervous to hear both sides of the conversation.
”Ms. Gregory, this is Carlos Tauton.”
”Yes, Carlos, what can I do for you?”
”Ms. Gregory, have you been watching the market? My stock has fallen significantly!”
”Carlos,” Lynn answered in a soft but affirmative voice, ”don't you trust me?”
”Of course, but*”
”Carlos, I'll make you the same offer I always do. If you want to sell that stock, I'll send over a cas.h.i.+er's check Monday morning for the exact amount you originally paid for it. But don't come to me Tuesday crying when the stock goes through the roof, because I'll own it then.”
There was silence on the other end of the line. Then, Carlos, making the decision to ride it out, replied, ”No, no, you've made a lot of money for me, I guess I'll trust your instincts.”
”That's what you pay me for, Carlos. I've never steered you wrong, have I?”
”No* sorry to have bothered you. Have a nice evening, Ms. Gregory.”
Lynn reached down to turn the speaker off, then reached up and ran her fingers through her hair. ”See what c.r.a.p I have to deal with?” she said, looking at the road ahead.
Chris looked over at her. ”Then why do you deal with it?”
”Because that man alone brings in ten thousand dollars a month for me,” Lynn replied, glancing over at her pa.s.senger.
”Ten thousand a month for the firm?” Chris asked innocently.
Lynn chuckled and shook her head. ”No, ten thousand dollars for me.”
Chris was shocked. ”You make ten thousand dollars a month?”
Lynn sighed and admitted, ”No, I make a lot more than that. You can't even comprehend how much money I bring in.”
Chris sat back and stared at the road ahead. She was right. She had read the article. She saw the office. She saw the fabulous BMW that she was now riding in. But she never put it all together. In a way, the whole thing overwhelmed her. The rest of the drive was spent in silence.
Lynn drove up to the hotel and pulled into the valet strip. A young man came out from the building and immediately opened Chris's door. By the time Chris had been helped out of the car and her door shut, Lynn was by her side and had tossed the keys to the valet. Lynn ushered Chris through the enormous gla.s.s door. Chris stopped right inside the entrance. Her eyes scanned the lobby* gla.s.s pillars, marble tiled floor, and so many green plants, it could have been a jungle. She wouldn't be surprised if the decorative metal, used as chair railing around the walls, was real gold.
”Any messages, John?” Lynn asked at the counter.
The desk clerk handed her a few slips of paper and a package. ”Oh, and Ms. Gregory, the taxi you requested is waiting outside.”
”Thank you, John,” Lynn commented while reviewing her messages, then looking up at Chris, she offered, ”Here's your chance, Chris. There's a taxi outside just waiting for you.”
Chris crossed her arms over her chest in defiance. ”I'm not going anywhere.”
Lynn turned back to the desk clerk and took five one-hundred-dollar bills out from her wallet. ”John, please ask the driver to wait here all night.” Then, handing him four of the bills, she continued, ”Give him half now, and half in the morning, about nine, or sooner if this woman requests a ride home.” Handing him the last bill, she softly said, ”And this is for you.”
The man took the cash and nodded. ”Thankyou.”
Lynn started walking away, then turned around. ”By the way, how is Miguel?”
”He's doing okay. Can you believe another organization just paid five thousand more of the hospital bills?” he replied.
”That's great, John. Keep me informed, okay?” Lynn requested. John nodded and headed out to the awaiting taxi driver.
Lynn ushered Chris into the elevator. ”Miguel is John's lover. He has cancer.” After pausing, Lynn turned to Chris. ”See, some people appreciate my money.”