Page 76 of Pity Parade

She lifts her chin slightly in acknowledgement. “Aimee Engle.”

“My daughter,” Jeremiah clarifies.

“It’s very nice to meet you,” I tell her.

She doesn’t say anything, which makes me think she doesn’t share the sentiment.

“Aimee is trying to talk me into building a homeless community,” Jeremiah says.

Aimee glares at me while explaining, “First of all, the term is unhoused or houseless. Secondly, I think that people who have more money than they could ever spend have an obligation to help those who are down and out. What do you think, Mr. Fox?”

It’s clear she doesn’t expect me to agree, so she seems surprised when I tell her, “I think that’s a given.” Then I look to her father and ask, “Don’t you?”

“I do,” he says. “But I also think these kinds of things need to be handled carefully. Not everyone wants a, uh, houseless camp set up in their backyard.”

“Not a houseless camp,” Aimee practically spits. “A home community. A transitional community.” She turns to me and says, “The idea isn’t to keep people there forever, but to educate them and help them get back on their feet.”

“That’s the way to do it,” I agree.

“Are you doing anything to help the unhoused?” Her tone borders on contempt.

“I have several charities that I contribute to,” I tell her. “The unhoused are not currently one of them.”

“Are you a religious man?” Aimee asks me.

“Not particularly,” I tell her. “I’d classify myself more as spiritual. Having said that, I have a basic understanding of the Bible.”

Holding up one finger, she says, “Love thy neighbor.” A second finger joins the first. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” And finally, a third finger. “That which you do to the least of my people, so do you do unto me.”

I merely nod my head. “All very sound rules to live by.”

Jeremiah explains, “Aimee is in her third year of seminary. She feels strongly that possessing great wealth is a sin.”

“Not a sin,” she retorts. “A responsibility. When you have more money than nearly every other person on the planet, it’s your obligation to do something positive for mankind.”

“She’s right,” I tell Jeremiah.

He looks surprised that I’m agreeing with her in such a blanket fashion. I tell him, “The world and our laws are structured to make the rich richer and keep the poor down.”

Aimee narrows her gaze and demands, “If you know that, then why are you contributing to the problem by building yet another unnecessary skyscraper?”

I quickly glance at Jeremiah before announcing, “I’m not.”

“Really?” He seems surprised to hear me say this. “I thought you and Shelby were committed. In fact, I thought we were meeting today so you could put my mind to rest about my concerns that we can’t fill the commercial space.”

I shake my head. “I agree with you,” I tell him. “The pandemic has really set the world on its ear, and I don’t think we’re coming back from it. At least, not in the same way.”

“If you’re not going to try to talk me into keeping my investment commitment, why are you here?”

“I’m here to let you know that Shel and I are pulling out of the venture. We both have other things going on.”

“So, no ninety-story building,” he says. “Are you going to keep the land or sell it?”

“I have no idea yet. Why, do you want it?”

He answers, “The whole idea of our building a skyscraper in that location was to continue the gentrification of the South Loop. As it stands, parts of it are still considered middle of the line.”

I nod my head. “That’s the only kind of land that’s still available within the city limits.”

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