Page 88 of Hula Girl

My grandfather snickers. “Does this clause reference the change that happened around 2001?”

I nod, impressed that he’s put it together so quickly. It took me days of research to sort out how I might do this.

“What does that mean?” Senior asks, his voice betraying his panic. “Dad? Answer me.”

My grandfather can’t keep from smiling. “It means that your Boy Wonderhas bested us all in this little scenario.”

Senior stands and rests his hands on his hips. “Someone better explain this to me right now.”

I look up at him and lean back in my chair, crossing my legs, ankle over knee. “What it means is that I have taken advantage of the one time this firm decided they’d better do some charitable giving. That was right after September eleventh happened, and everyone seemed to want to do good. Funny that it doesn’t ring a bell, but I guess the press release you and Grandfather put out at the time was as far as it all went, anyway.”

Recognition slowly dawns on him and I can tell by his face that I don’t need to go into detail. I don’t need to explain that after that tragic event, the firm had set up a way to transfer the revenue gained through shares, up to 100 percent, to a charitable cause. As far as I can tell, no one took advantage of it. But the firm sure did make a splash in the media with the announcement of their “giving back” program.

“You’ll see here in the paperwork,” I say, “that revenue of one hundred percent of my shares will be transferred, in perpetuity, to the Inner-City Music Project here in Los Angeles. Of course, I reserve the right to extend this to other cities once I see that it’s making the impact I hope for. It should go a long way, though. Those kids are in desperate need for new instruments, good instruction, and even funds to go on tours to different parts of the state. Maybe they’ll even get the chance to travel the country. It’ll be incredibly enriching. At least, I hope so.”

“And so, what is this, Ford?” Senior says through clenched jaw. “Your way of sayingfuck youon your way out the door?’

I lean forward and make eye contact with him. “It started that way, to be honest. I didn’t want you to have those shares because I knew you’d just turn around and push your own father out—”

“I wouldn’t—”

“I think we all know your intentions. Nothing is ever enough, is it? Anyway, I realized that sticking it to you wasn’t going to make me happy. In fact, I didn’t need that to be happy because I’ve already found what I truly needed. All I had to do was return to being the person I was before I ever got sucked into your world. And so, I thought about what I could do to help others with it. I want to make a positive impact in people’s lives, not just work the loopholes and flaws of the law to my own advantage.Thisis meaningful.Thisis going to change people’s lives.”

“This,” Senior says, “will be challenged in court.”

I sigh and shake my head. “You’ll lose. You’re fighting against your own rules. And you’ll lose in the public eye, too.”

“What does that mean?”

I make a show of looking at the watch on my wrist that isn’t there. “A press release is being issued in about two minutes explaining the donation.”

My father’s face goes red.

“But it’s to your benefit to let it stand as is, Senior. I’ve put this out as being in the firm’s name. It’s got McAvoy & Associates as the backer. That’s fantastic PR for you. You’ll getmorebusiness because of it. So, really, it’s a win-win. The firm will do well, and the kids who need it will get a helping hand.”

With that, I stand. “Well, fellas. That’s it for me. I do appreciate the education and the opportunity. This was just never my place. I’ll leave it to you and trust that your dedication and passion for this will continue as it always has.”

Before I can get to the door, my father comes to me and stabs his finger into my chest. “You havealwaysbeen a disappointment.”

“Leave him be,” my grandfather says sharply.

Senior looks startled and backs away.

“It’s okay,” I say. “I can live with that. We’ve never seen eye to eye. That’s just the way it is. For the first time in my life, I understand that accepting that is better than fighting it. That goes for both of us. Give it a try, and you might find some peace.”

He raises his eyebrows, not with some miraculous epiphany, but with frustration. “Get out,” he says.

I flash a hang loose sign. And then I walk out.

I’ve never felt freer in my life.

36

Ava

I’m at my desk in my office when Tyler comes breezing in, looking like he’s bursting at the seams, eager to share one of his gossip scoops.

“What?” I ask.