Page 81 of Buried Roots

“Oh, Lord.” Natanya’s eyes go huge. “I don’t know what it is, and I’m not sure I wanna know.”

“Well, like it or not, you’re about to find out very soon.” I look at the door. “As soon as the Klein brothers arrive with their lawyer.”

She reaches for my hand and gives it a squeeze. “Whatever it is, you deserve to be happy. I love having you in my life, but I also have you over Zoom no matter what happens. So, for once in your life, can you just let yourself be happy?”

“Maybe.”

Natanya groans. “So, you think this plan of yours will work?”

“Not at all. But we’re low on options. As in, no other.” I’m hoping fate will save my butt on this one. I spent all day yesterday touring the Kleins’ job site and talking to Roy Livingston. I can’t imagine not having that brilliant man on my side.

The Klein brothers arrive with their lawyer and sit on the opposite side of Natanya and me at the long conference room table. For our end-of-contract negotiations, I get my laptop ready to have Roy to argue my case via Zoom.

To start, Roy introduces himself. “I’m RevitaHome’s representation, and I’ve got the contract in front of me here. I just wanted to go over it with you today. Is that all right?”

The Klein brothers scowl. Their lawyer, a man with strong cologne and a slick suit, says, “Let’s see what you’ve got, but Ms. Dawson is clearly in breech. Per contractual obligation, she was required to be present. She wasn’t. There’s nothing to discuss.”

Roy thumbs through his papers. “Yes, I do believe it says she has to be present as the project head, but let’s go, if you will, to page seven in the footnotes. It states, ‘In an emergency, Willow Dawson is permitted to delegate at will.’”

The brothers’ lawyer stays stone-faced. “Restoring a home hardly constitutes an emergency.”

Roy perks a brow. “Per the contract, an emergency is defined as ‘an urgent and serious event that necessitates immediate action to avert imminent danger to life, health, or property.’ Ms. Dawson was clearly averting danger to property.” Roy clears his throat, going in for the kill in his gentle, non-threatening way. “So, if you want out of the contract, you’ll have to pay for all the labor and all the fees plus an additional change fee of twenty-five percent. As of now, you’ve only paid the third upfront, so your remaining balance would be, well… let me add it up.” He slides over a large, old-school calculator. “I think we need to add a few more zeros.”

Aston scowls at me. “This is a dangerous game you’re playing, Ms. Dawson. If you think it’s worth holding my feet to the fire, I can ensure that your business doesn’t do well in New York after my highly influential review.”

“I apologize for my absence.” I meet his hard gaze. “Mr. Klein, in the time we’ve worked together, my site crew has been on site every day, putting in extra hours to yield all changes or customizations you requested. We’re three weeks behind schedule, and that’s because of a materials delay that the entire world is experiencing right now. I’ve been doing Zoom calls and emailing you daily with updates, and Natanya has been at your service anytime you need something. And after touring your complex yesterday, I’d say it looks absolutely stunning. So please, Mr. Klein, I’d love to hear your review.”

He scoffs as his face turns beet red. “You’re missing the point. You said you agreed to be present during this massive project, and I have emails where you agreed to such.”

Mr. Livingston cuts in with, “The terms of Ms. Dawson’s contract supersede any email exchange.”

The Klein brothers’ lawyer lifts his chin. “We’ll let a court of law decide that.”

Now, it’s my turn to go in for the kill. I look at Aston square in the eyes when I say, “Look, the bottom line is that you’re trying to get out of this contract because you found a better price. So let’s stop arguing about the legalities and cut to the chase. It’s clear to anyone who’s seen the apartments that both our companies have hit it out of the park. This is one of the best restorations RevitaHome’s ever done, and I couldn’t be prouder. And you should be, too. Honestly, Natanya’s done a better job than I would have.” I smile at her, and she’s glowing. I turn back to Aston and say, “So, with that in mind, I have an offer for you—one where both companies continue doing the finest work of any New York builder.”

The Klein brothers sit silent, glancing at each other and scribbling something down for what feels like an eternity. Finally, Aston looks at me, brows perked, when he says, “Let’s hear it.”

Leaving the meeting on a high, I’m walking along the crowded sidewalk of downtown Manhattan, elbow to elbow with people who don’t know me and don’t want to know me.

I feel a yank on my purse.

I spin around before instinctively throwing an elbow into the face of the perp, putting all my strength into pulling my purse back.

Nose bleeding, he puts a hand over his face and staggers away.

“Dammit,” I cry out, shaking off the twinge in my elbow from where it hit his nose. As I look around, everyone is scattering and scurrying away, clearly not wanting to get involved.

I should expect this, I know how it goes—never get involved in a crime. That’s big city 101.

But it feels all different now. Yes, I know how to take care of myself. Yes, I know how to keep my purse from getting nabbed. I know no one wants to get involved. But in this sea of people, I’m all alone.

I look down on the sidewalk to see some of the spilled contents of my purse—lipstick, a tin of mints, and a package of Fig Newtons.

My heart skitters to a stop. Fig Newtons that Owen put in my purse because he knew I always needed a snack.

Even after I broke up with him.

I pick up my things, thinking of Sir Fig A Lot, too. He’s probably wondering where I am and why I left him. He’s probably wondering if he did something wrong.

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