Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 77220 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77220 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
“I’m not making excuses,” he said, his voice deliberately patient, “nor am I being unreasonable to prefer to discuss financial matters in person. I don’t see what the big deal is.”
I continued to lash out. To be honest I was now almost hysterical and had no idea how to regain control of my emotions. “The big deal is how hard the committee has worked and how hard all our parents and children worked to make this a reality. And now you’re being a scrooge!”
“I’m being a scrooge because I want a face-to-face meeting? Or maybe you’re being selfish thinking of how you don’t want to face me and just want a check in the mail. You’re the one who’s not thinking about all those parents and students.”
I felt as though he had struck a nerve with how on point he was. “Go to hell, Max!” I swore, seething with anger.
“I’ve been there. I didn’t really like it so I came back. I bet you didn’t expect me ever to be free again, huh?”
“I don’t give a damn what you do.”
“Clearly you didn’t and still don’t. But then again, this isn’t about us. This is simply about you getting off your high horse and out of your selfish desires to come to my office and discuss the terms of the donation.”
“It’s not a loan. What terms could there be to discuss?”
“I’m sure it’s not a few pennies we’re talking about. There will be documents you need to show me.”
“I can email them.”
“And they will need to be examined and discussed on the spot.”
“The accountant can do that. I can give you his number and you can both arrange a meeting at a mutually convenient time.” I knew I was grabbing for straws desperately, but I couldn’t help it.
“Stop being so cowardly, Savannah. It doesn’t become you. Now are we meeting at my office or will you find another source of funding? I don’t have all day.”
I took a few deep breaths as I struggled to calm myself. I felt as though I was caught between a rock and a hard place. But I felt myself relenting when I thought about going back to the committee with a negative report. How could I explain to them that the donation fell through because I did not want to face my ex-boyfriend?
I took a deep breath, feeling as though I was about to walk the plank, step up to the gallows, face the firing squad, and every other life and death scenario that there could be. I swallowed hard.
“When?”
“Are you free now?”
“Now?” I squawked.
“I’m sure school is over for the day. I’m still at the office if you come by right now.”
At first I was going to negotiate to see him tomorrow, but I realized the quicker I got over this meeting the less anxiety I would have to put myself through by waiting another twenty-four hours. The thought comforted me. “I’ll come now,” I mumbled.
“Good. The address is on the card. I’ll see you in a few.”
Without another word, he disconnected the call.
I stared at my phone. Bastard. I allowed myself the luxury of sitting and taking deep relaxing breaths for a full five minutes. Then I got up, packed up my belongings and left. I headed to the parking lot and was soon on my way downtown. It was just before peak hours so traffic was still light enough for me to get there in twenty minutes. I groaned when I realized that this evening I would be going with the rush hour traffic. I saw myself sitting in the parking lot marking papers while waiting for traffic to ease. There was no way I was going to be sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic for two plus hours. All these inconsequential thoughts passed my brain when what I was really afraid of was seeing him again in an enclosed space.
Would I be able to control those old feelings?
I parked in the visitor’s section in the parking garage, surprised to find that the security guard was expecting me. I followed his directions and quickly found the lobby. As I watched the elevator climb to the twenty-second floor, my heart began to race.
Get in, collect the check, get out.
That was all I needed to do.
Get in, collect the check, get out.
And then never see Max Blackstone again.
I kept my fingers crossed, praying that it would be that easy, but somehow I could not shake the dreadful feeling in the pit of my stomach that I was about to face the challenge of a lifetime.
9
MAX
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vwNcNOTVzY
-Gold Digger-
Score one for me. I could barely conceal the feeling of triumph that raced through my body as Savannah disconnected the call. As I had hoped they had fallen short, and substantially too, for I knew if she had another choice or could have done it differently, she would not have called me. All last week I had waited, knowing it must not be me who reached out to ask whether she needed the donation. She had to call me first. And it had come to transpire that they did not need my money then I would have found another way to deal with Savannah. One way or another she was going to be beholden to me.