“What exactly are you asking for?”
“Again, I need venture capitalists, willing to make small and low risk investments in my company. They will be undetectable loans so that they won’t even be captured on their portfolios. I know you can help me with this. I have an idea of the caliber of your family.”
I threw the term he used with my family and me when I’d first met him. I still had a bitter taste in my mouth from that orientation to Chesney’s firm.
“I see,” he thrummed his chin. “And why can’t you just ask Stenton? I have reason to believe he’d be willing and just as generous as he’s been with your—and I quote—parenting partner support; whatever the hell that means.” And there was that infamous inflection of his voice as he rolled his eyes femininely.
“That’s because I don’t want my business to be affiliated with Stenton. My life does not revolve around him. I would have done this with or without having his child, Eddie,” I taunted.
“Contrary to your “I’m Every Woman” mission, if what you’re asking for were to come to fruition, it would be solely Stenton’s name being attached to your proposal that would get you through the door of an investor.”
He was right. That pitch had been built into the proposal I’d brought with me today. Because of this, I had more fight in me.
“The same could be said for why Bravo is awaiting my final answer today at three o’clock, Eddie.” I hiked my brow. “So what’s it going to be? You gonna help me find the pennies I need to kick off my career, independent of your client? Or do I have to find other means that could possibly harm your family? Either way, this young girl from New Brunswick is going to eat, and just being a baby’s momma ain’t on my menu.”
Chesney and I did an intense stare down for what felt like close to an hour. I struggled, trembled, perspired, and tried to hide my deep unnerving swallows.
I felt like I couldn’t hold out any longer when he gritted, “Fine! I’ll help you find cash. But someone will have to pay for my time. It will be taking from top-billing, paying clients, Elizabeth.”
I understood his need for leverage. I was expecting that, too.
“You can do one of two things: Bill it to StentRo, who’s already paying you to babysit me, hands on, or come down on your king’s ransom fees and charge me something a grad student could afford.”
“Which is?” he yelped.
I shrugged. “You know how much I bring in. Find the amounts in my file and crunch the numbers.”
“The hell…” Chesney whined when I tossed my superb proposal on his desk.
I turned to leave. “All the information you need is in there. I expect to hear from you in two business days, which will be my extension for Bravo on my three o’clock call today. Make momma proud, Eddie.”
When I glanced over my shoulder at him, for the first time, I witnessed Chesney rendered speechless by being treated as the service provider and not the shot-caller he behaves as toward his clients.
Go, Zoey—No. Go, Elizabeth! I patted myself on the back all the way back to Philadelphia.
~~~~~~~~~~
February 2010
“So why don’t you just let him sing second lead? It sounds like a win-win situation to me.”
“Because, Zo, guys like Victor are too egotistical for the title of lead,” Bernard asserted with exasperation.
“Yet you have the title.” I chuckled, shaking my head with my phone in the crux of my ear and shoulder.
“You’re joking, right?”
“Not at all. C’mon, B, everybody knows your habit of gyrating your lips when extending notes is well-executed from years of practice. You love the captivating attention of singing lead. I ain’t mad, just keeping it real,” I shared honestly.
I was finishing up on feeding Jordan his dinner while having a late chat with Bernard, something that had increasingly become more frequent.
There was a pause as I wiped the baby’s slimy mouth; little lips I could steal kisses from all day.
“Are you serious? I don’t do that—”
BEEP