Page 3 of Not A Chance

Since it was Emery’s turn to pick our Friday night meeting spot, the coffees we had in front of us were ultra-fair-trade-eco-conscious masterpieces made with magic beans picked by woodland sprites and brewed with the freely shed tears of angels. I hoped the sprites were enjoying their $8.50 coffee profits.

Looking across the table at my two friends, I noted the marked difference in their mood. Abbie, the perpetual worrier of the group, looked as if she needed to be tethered to the table leg so she wouldn’t float away on a cloud of happiness.

Emery was usually extra chipper on days where she got to choose our girls’ night restaurant, but tonight, her whole vibe was dimmed, like she was weighed down by something. Her outlook was naturally a glass-half-full kind of deal. Worry fizzed in my chest at what kind of thing would have her looking so worn and tired.

Concerned, and not ready to jump into my own bad news, I wanted to know what was up with her first.

“Babe, we’re in your happy caffeine place. Did something happen in one of your classes today?”

Emery, who had been spinning her ceramic coffee cup in circles, looked up at me. I couldn’t blame Abbie for blinking a few times as if she was looking at Emery for the first time since sitting down. Being so loved up seemed to be heady stuff.

“No. They’re fine, I guess,” she sighed. “It’s just not what I thought it would be, but whatever.” She waved away her troubles, refocusing on me.

Emery was determined to honor her mother, who had passed away when we were twelve. She wasn’t letting anything get in the way of becoming Prof. Yao, even her own happiness, it seemed.

My heart hurt with the realization that I couldn’t even try to fix her mood for her because I wasn’t going to be around for this semester or the next, even. Not only that, but here I was about to pile more bad news on her shoulders, unavoidably breaking apart the only family I had ever known.

Taking a deep breath, I just wanted to get this over with now.

“My parents are making me quit Appeal. I gave my notice last week. I'm being banished to Toronto to work for a company of my father's choice.”

I’d shocked them into silence. Twin expressions of disbelief looked back at me. Abbie opened and closed her mouth a few times. Emery found her voice first.

“Wha… how… Can he do that?”

Sighing, I tried to think about how to explain it to them. I’d never disclosed the amount of money that my grandmother had left me in herwill. I knew they assumed it was a lot because my family owned more companies than I could keep track of.

“Yeah, he’d probably pay off some judge to declare me legally incompetent or something and take my inheritance. I couldn’t afford to fight him in court. You know I have plans for that money. I’m so, so close.”

Abbie looked at me sadly.

“I know you wanted to do community outreach with it. But do you really need to give up your life here for it? There’s lots of other ways to help kids,” Abbie suggested gently.

“How much money are we talking here, girl? I know it’s rude to ask, but it must be a lot more than you’ve let on all these years.” Emery flushed with embarrassment at asking, but we’d always stuck together all these years.

Separating like this was a big deal.

“Ten million. It’ll take every cent to get the nonprofit up and running before donations even become part of the equation.” My volume was just above a whisper.

This time, it was twin expressions of shock looking back at me. If the wind changed, they’d be frozen like that.

“Well, damn, I’ll move to Toronto for you,” Emery breathed. “Two birds with one stone. You get your money, and I’ll get to avoid my undergraduates. Think they need an artist and wannabe academic with no business skills?”

“I wish they did, babe.” Her enthusiasm had me smiling for the first time since my father made his demands known.

Arriving at the hotel, sweaty and tired, I waited in the line at reception, looking forward to the best shower of my life to wash away this day.

My phone vibrated with a notification, bringing a smile to my face. It was just like Abbie or Emery to check on me, but when I scanned the screen, my stomach clenched.

Father

You have one chance, Indigo. Proving that you can make yourself an asset in the Tempests organization will help convince me you are ready for the financial responsibility of your inheritance.

As much as I wanted to ignore him, I knew choosing pettiness now would only push me further away from my objectives.

Indie

Yes, Father. Thank you for this opportunity.

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