“Hi, Nick. What’s new? Just seen your message.”
“Your man will present no trouble. He’s just handed the video back to me...but he might have a copy of it somewhere on a computer, maybe. But I managed to have a friend of mine dig up some dirt. Apparently Matt has some secrets he wouldn’t like anybody to find out. I told you Cliff can dig up some dirt on almost anybody. Matt himself has a very hot video from when he was twenty; that is, sixteen years ago, and Cliff and I told him we would allow you to pay him half a million as long as we can mail his video to his mother and daughter. Surprise! He has an eighteen year old daughter, born when he was eighteen. It involved him and somebody’s wife and was used by the woman’s husband in a divorce case that Matt kept secret from his family, as by then he had left his home turf New York and was living in Miami. He would rather hand back the video than risk having his daughter or mother see that video. I believe him...it’s pretty hot. Anyway, we told him we’d keep his video just in case he has kept Tina’s video for future use. So I’d say you are covered.”
Chris exhaled slowly. Then he spoke. “Nick.”
“Yeah?”
“Once again you have come through for me. Have you ever imagined going on a cruise and buy that new Jeep Renegade Trailhawk you told me about?”
“Man, have I ever!”
“You can go right ahead. There will be two hundred grand in your account by morning.”
“Are you serious?” Nick gasped. “I know we didn’t discuss my fees...”
“I’m dictating the fees. How much would you have charged?”
Nick breathed hard. “Normally I charge fifteen thousand plus expenses...in your case expenses were twelve thousand, getting hold of that video and hiring Cliff. So twenty-seven.”
“OK, you can consider the extra one hundred seventy-three thousand extra as goodwill. So long, Nick. Got a busy evening. Bye.”
He hung up as Nick began to thank him profusely.
*
It was one week later.
Lavida was in her bedroom talking on the phone.
“Gotta go, sweetie. I’ll sure visit you again. I don’t want Mom watching you like a hawk when you are here. I’d rather come to you. Send the last kisses of the day.”
“Alright...” Con made some kissing sounds.
“Cut it out!” a voice said near Con.
“That is Luke, jealous because I got you,” Con said into the phone and laughed.
Lavida laughed. “Okay...love you baby. Yes, Trevor has stopped calling. I think he has found some new interest. Good for him.”
“Lavida!” her mother’s voice floated up to her room.
She said goodbye to Con and hung up. Just then the ring of an incoming call lit up her phone. It was Tina.
“Hi Lavida. Just checking up on my sister. Will your Mom mind if I visit your place?”
“No she won’t!”
“Can you ask her?”
“Okay I will, but she won’t!” Lavida went out and ran downstairs.
“Mom, Tina would like to visit.”
“I have no problem with Tina visiting. I only have a problem with you visiting!”
Lavida spoke into the phone. “Tina, apparently you can visit anytime but I can’t visit you. When are you coming over? Tomorrow? Okay, see you then. Can’t wait to show you how the non-rich live.”
Tina laughed. They hung up.
“The non-rich, huh? Look at that. Does that look non-rich to you?”
It was a check written in the name of Lavida’s mother. One million dollars.
“Okay, we are rich,” Lavida rolled her eyes.
“It’s actually your money.”
“Oh no it’s not,” Lavida said. “You struggled all the way till I turned into this beautiful adult girl, Mom. But if you slice some two hundred thousand bucks off it, I will be glad to help you spend it.”
“Now listen to me! It’s not money to be wasted. And not money to give to boyfriends.”
“Con is too proud for that. Besides, he has some shares in a new company.”
Her mother returned the check into the handbag. Then she frowned.
“Are you okay, Ma?”
Her mother laughed. “Can you believe I was worrying about the ninety thousand business capital I always wonder where to get? I’m so used to worrying.”
Lavida placed her hands on her mother’s cheeks. “Ma,” she said, “you have done enough worrying and struggling. Just sit back and have some fun, and have some peace. And I want you to meet a new guy. It’s been four years since Drew. If you don’t do something I will take matters into my own hands to ensure you meet Mr Right...and he’s coming to stay!”
*
“Can you believe it, Clay? The video thing is over. I have no idea what Dad did to make Matt give back the video without paying up, but Matt has, apparently, withdrawn his threat and his demands.”