Page 32 of The Playboy and the Waitress

“Ms. Grey, it’s good to see you again. Please have a seat. I'm glad you could make it on such short notice as we have very pressing matters to discuss.”

“Mr. Geisinger, I thought I had all of their estate handled? Was there something I missed?”

“No dear, my firm is at fault here. You see some important documents were misfiled and until I hired a full-time record keeper they were not found. Saying that I apologize for this error will not rectify the hardships that you have had to go through since the unfortunate death of your parents. With that being said, the paperwork has been found and we only have a few limited days to get it filed. We almost missed out on the limits of liability that are linked to these types of life insurance.”

“What do you mean life insurance? I remember asking you if they had anything on file because I couldn’t find anything at home and there was nothing on any of the bank statements about one being paid for.”

“I’m getting ahead of myself here, dear, forgive me. Your father paid for this premium in one lump sum and then he brought it here with your mother and his will and so forth. Unfortunately, the secretary I had at the time misfiled it and we found it in another estate yesterday. I called you immediately so we could rectify this mistake. Your father originally took out a policy to protect your mother. He was concerned that he would get hurt on the farm and that she would lose everything as a result. Of course, he had you as the second beneficiary if both had passed on. The policy is for three hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars and will be payable to you within thirty days of me filing it. We only made it in time by a few weeks, so I will personally deliver this to their office to make sure it all goes in correctly.

“I can see your mind twirling over there. I know you have had so many ups and downs since your parents’ passing. But even though it's coming to you late, I hope this takes some of the burden off you with the farm, as I know you have worked hard to hold onto it. Don’t think of this or the next thing I’m going to tell you about as blood money. Your father was and did prepare a stable future for you and your mother. He understood that accidents and things happened and that you would need to be prepared if and when they did.

“Now, to the hard part…I have kept something from you all this time. And I will understand if you never do business, or even speak to me again. But I knew your parents well, and as you know, we were all good friends. With that being said, I took it upon myself to file a wrongful death suit against the airline. I had you sign the papers under false circumstances as I knew at the time you wouldn’t want a thing from them.

“There were over a hundred and fifty passengers on that flight who lost their lives that day. I was one of three attorneys pushing for a settlement to take care of the loved ones who were left behind.

“Jenna, I watched you grow up right alongside my own boys. I sat with your parents at games and took pictures of you at prom and graduation like you were my own. Stacy and I were devastated when your parents passed. I believe in my heart if the tables had been turned your parents would have taken my boys and done all they could for them. With that being said, the airline’s lawyers have finally decided on a settlement in the case. Now, it will be six to nine months before it's paid out, but I believe you will be able to do what you want with your life then.”

“You mean there is more?”

“Two point seven million more, my dear.”

I have to catch myself from falling out of the chair as tears stream down my face. I have struggled every day not to give up my parents’ dream. I was even contemplating selling part of the farm off because I didn’t know how I was going to be able to pay the taxes this year. My mind can’t even rationalize how much money that is.

Mr. Geisinger comes around the desk, handing me a tissue. “Please… forgive me, Jenna.”

I get out of the chair and hug him tightly. I don’t know what to say, or think, my mind has blanked out. The only thing I can think of is, once again, what a man my dad was, taking care of us was always his first priority. I refuse to settle for anything less than that in my own relationships, especially now. Dad would roll over in his grave if I accepted being second to anything or anyone.

I pull out of his arms, wiping my eyes. “Thank you, for looking out for my best interest, even when I couldn’t. I don’t know what to say. I'm overwhelmed, these last few years have been so hard. Not just financially, but…everything. The worst part is how I felt like I was letting them down.”

“You were the world to your parents, Jenna. Take this money, live your life, and dreams to the fullest. Once the airline pays out, if you would like, we can discuss some investment possibilities that would be good for your future.”

“Thank you once again. I’m going to be late for work if I don’t get going. And my mother taught me not to count my chickens until they hatch. Unfortunately, I still have to eat until this payout.”

“Leave your banking information with the secretary outside and she will get it all linked up. Because of the large amounts you will receive, expect a call from the bank asking to put extra security on your accounts. Call me if you have any questions and I’ll keep you updated as we go. I’m glad I was able to give you some good news after all this time.”

I walk out of his office in a daze, I hand the secretary a blank check and drive to work on autopilot. I'm so torn about the airline money. No amount of money will ever bring my parents back and I get angry every time I think about it. I feel like they are trying to put a price on my grief, but Mom always told me to not make rash decisions when my emotions were all over the place.That if I was stumped on something to STOP. Don’t do anything until you can see a clear path in front of you.Right now that path is telling me to get my head out of my ass and that my refrigerator is empty.

The rest of the day is a blur. I do everything I’m supposed to do, but I am having an out-of-body experience for most of it. Mary can tell I am spacy because she asks me twice if everything is ok. I completely forget about the dark rings under my eyes from my night of excess until she mentions it. No one wants to tell their boss that they were out partying like a teenager, so I tell her I’m not sleeping well.

I make my way to the grocery store, practically spending every dime I made that day on goodies I didn’t really need. I know better than to go to the store hungry because this happens every time. And because I’m starving, I spend the last few dollars I have in my pocket on Taco Bell.

Once I get home and unload the groceries I stick the cold stuff in the fridge and then leave the rest out until after I eat. Taking my bag of carry-out goodies to the front porch, I plop down on the swing. Pondering everything that has happened in the last few weeks. Do I tell Dage about the money? Would it even make a difference? I’m still gonna be me. It’s hard to plan tomorrow when everything is so unsettled. I decide to keep it all to myself until I have the money in hand. After all, not having to worry about groceries and the electric bill doesn’t change who you are. And up to this point, I never had a problem with who I was or am, and I think that’s my own answer right there. When you have to change who you are to simply fit into someone else’s world it will never work because you’re not being true to yourself. At some point the old you will resurface and that would be the end of whatever fake relationship you thought you had.

It makes me sad that the world operates this way, but it always has. I was raised in a middle-class family with limited opportunities and had a wonderful childhood. Dage was raised for the most part with a silver spoon in his mouth and the world at his feet. But his childhood was cold and structured. It’s so sad and all it proves is that money doesn’t buy happiness.

CHAPTER15

Ihad just pulled the potato casserole out of the oven when I hear his car coming up the driveway.

There is no missing its unique purr as he creeps this way. The fried chicken and mac n cheese are in the microwave so they will stay warm, now all I have to do is toast this bread, and dinner is ready.

When I hear him knock on the door I yell, “Come on in.” I have to glance at him twice when I see what he is wearing. “Who are you and where is Dage?” I wave a hand up and down his outfit: a long-sleeved plain t-shirt… torn jeans, and a pair of hikers.Lord give me strength.He is always sharp in his preppy clothes, but he is damn hot in this outfit.

“I figured this was a little more appropriate for our outings than dress pants. I don’t think I have ever had a pair of shoes like these, but they are extremely comfortable.”

“Your mother would have a stroke if she saw you right now. I can’t believe your car even let you in it, but I totally approve.”

“You're all that matters. What smells so good?”

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