Page 6 of Leo
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Leo
I look downat the check I was just writing and try and put my thoughts in order. I didn’t want to have to tell Grace the whole truth. But it looks like I have no other option.
“My name’s Leo,” I start, picking up the pen and bouncing it between my thumb and forefinger. “Leo Hawthorne.”
For a moment, there’s silence. I look up at Grace and her face is red and blotchy. She looks like she’s about to explode.
“I don’t believe this!” She grabs her bag again and jumps out of her chair. “You mean you’re part of this Hawthorne Group? Is that what you’re trying to tell me?”
“No… not exactly.” I pick up the only family photo in my office and run my fingers over the image of my mother. She’s so young in this photo. So happy. But that was before. “I haven’t spoken to my family in nearly fifteen years. I have nothing to do with them, or their business.
“It’s a long story. And not a very pleasant one, either. But, let’s just say we had a falling out. I saw them for who they really were, and I didn’t want any part of it. This business… Beans 'n' Cream. It’s all me. I’ve worked my ass off for everything I have, without any help from my brother or my dad. Just like you have. I know how hard it is to start a business. I know how much blood sweat and tears you have to put into it just to survive. What it feels like to have people depending on you for their income. And, when I heard you were being put out of business by my brother… I just wanted to help. I couldn’t stand by and watch another victim of the Hawthorne’s get her life ruined right in front of my eyes.”
Grace sits down and crosses her legs. She still looks angry, but there’s a hint of sympathy in her eyes now, too.
“For starters,” she says, “I’m nothing like you. I didn’t grow up with a silver spoon in my mouth. I had a single mom who worked her ass off all her life and has absolutely nothing to show for it. I had to work my way through college. You talk about blood sweat and tears, but you have no idea. We’re from two totally different worlds. This business is my life. It’s all I have. It’s all I’ve ever wanted. To be financially independent. To not have to rely on someone else for my living. To do something with my life, and not live from paycheck to paycheck. Like my mom did. I want to be able to look after her as she gets old. To pay her back for all the sacrifices I know she took when I was growing up. It wasn’t easy for her. And it wasn’t her fault that she couldn’t get ahead. God knows she tried! So, I think I am going to have to turn down your offer. It was very nice of you, and I mean that sincerely. But, it just doesn’t feel right.”
I raise my hands in the air, unable to believe the words I’m hearing. “Fine,” I say, a hint more of an edge in my voice than I would like. “We’re nothing alike. I can’t possibly know what it’s like to be you. I get that. But why are you being so stubborn? I’m offering you a way out. Don’t you owe it to yourself… to your employees, to at least consider my offer seriously?”
Tears well up in her eyes. “You think I’m not considering this seriously? You think I’m not looking down at that stupid check and seeing the answer to all my problems? You don’t think it’s difficult for me to turn this down?”
I get up from my chair and walk around the desk. Perching on the edge, facing her, our knees almost touching, I hand her a Kleenex.
This time, I keep my voice low and soft. “Okay,” I say, “then maybe there’s another way.”
She rubs her eyes with the Kleenex and looks up at me. I’ve never wanted a woman more in all my life. I just want to reach out and pull her to me and tell her everything’s going to be alright. But, somehow, I manage to keep my distance. This is a business deal. Maybe once it’s all over I can ask her out on a date. But right now I have to keep my eyes on the prize. And that prize is helping her out of the mess my douchebag brother has got her in.
“Like what?”
I scratch my chin, the hint of a plan forming in my mind. “I heard you say that they wouldn’t let you past the reception desk and Hawthorne Towers?”
“Yeah, that snooty receptionist treated me like I was a piece of dog crap stuck on the bottom of her shoe. I’ve never felt more humiliated in all my life.”
“Okay, so hear me out.” I pick up the check from my desk and rip it up. Throwing the torn-up pieces of paper in the trash can beside me. “How about we go there together?”
“To see your brother?”
“Exactly.”
She chews on her lip, thinking it over, and then looks up at me. “Yeah,” she says, “maybe that could work.”
“It won’t be easy.”
“I don’t care if it’s easy.” She stands up and brushes off her skirt. Handing me the dirty Kleenex, she looks me straight in the eyes. “Not easy is my middle name. Grace not-easy-your-son-of-a-bitch-brother-better-pay-me-my-money-or-I’ll-rip-his-balls-off-with-my-bare-hands Williams.”
“That’s quite the mouthful,” I gulp.
She puts her hand on her hip and flicks her hair over her shoulder. Her breasts are so close to my face, I can’t help but look down. Imagining what it would be like to slip my hand around her back and pop the little metal clasp on her bra.
“You don’t know the half of it,” she smiles.
“Well,” I say, standing up. Our bodies are so close I can feel the heat coming off her. “Maybe after we get your money, I’ll get a chance to find out.”
