The Girl in Hemingway's Studio

by Carolyn Grady

  “Not exactly,” started Marcus. “Eric thinks this might be a great chance for us to make some serious money and cement our futures.”

  Alexis took a deep breath, “Or put us into bankruptcy, possibly losing our home, our savings, everything. You told me you each needed $45,000 plus give up ownership of the mine to invest with these guys. Where the hell are you getting that kind of money? There is no way I’m allowing you or Eric to talk to my dad or Judith.”

  “Alexis, calm down. Our Mom agreed to pull equity out of her house to help us.”

  “$90,000? You are taking $90,000 out of Ruth’s house? Are you both crazy?”

  “No, listen. The bank would only let Mom take $60,000 out of the house. Eric and Mom have filled out the paperwork and will turn it in to the loan officer on Friday afternoon.”

  “Where are you getting the other $30,000?” Alexis got up, almost spilling her glass of wine, and started pacing back and forth.

  “Eric’s calling Sam Murdock tomorrow and see if we can buy into the investment with the ownership of the mine plus $60,000. We would be willing to take a lesser percentage of the profits.”

  “And if he says, ‘No,’ I repeat where are you getting the other $30,000?”

  Marcus shook his head, “We haven’t worked that out yet.”

  Sam Murdock had both Eric and Marcus meet him at his downtown Phoenix office on Saturday afternoon. No lunch, no niceties—just business. He listened to the brothers and then he shook his head.

  “No, boys. The deal was $90,000 to invest plus handing over ownership of the mine or the investors would buy the mine for $110,000 or the deal is off. Look, once the extensive survey proves there is a decent quantity of barite in the mine, you get your $90,000 back. We have a couple of other deals that we might invest in and forget this one. We aren’t going to negotiate with you two.”

  Marcus left the office disappointed and discouraged.

  Undaunted by Sam’s demands, Eric ordered his brother, “Marcus, tomorrow call Arthur and see if he is still willing to lend you some money. Then call Walter and ask for the rest.”

  “Are you sure you want to go in this deep into debt? I’m feeling guilty about risking Mom’s house, not to mention owing money to Arthur. As for Walter, I doubt he’s going to change his mind. You seem to forget, after spending all this money, the mine could be worthless,” lamented Marcus.

  Sunday afternoon, Arthur called his daughter to confirm Thanksgiving plans.

  “Hi, Alexis, Judith wanted to confirm plans for dinner on Thursday. She’s been so happy planning this holiday dinner and having the family all together. Judith has been acting like the woman I fell in love with all those years ago. She seems excited about the things I’m interested in. In fact, she wanted me to ask you if there was someone else you would like to invite.”

  “Oh Dad, I’m thrilled to hear that things are better between you and Judith. That’s really sweet of her to include my friends, but the only person I can think of is maybe Kyle since he doesn’t fly home to Chicago for Thanksgiving. But he recently started dating a new girl, so they may go to her sister’s house for the holiday.”

  “Yes, see if Kyle and his girlfriend would like to join us. Kyle is always fun, and I like to add different people to the family mix. Oh, by the way when Judith called Christopher to invite him and Ashley, she discovered that he, too, has a new girlfriend that he would like to bring along.”

  “There must be something in the air. Ask Judith what I can bring, and I’ll call Kyle and let you know.”

  Alexis disconnected the call feeling unsettled. She should be happy for both Kyle and Christopher—they were moving on. But she hated change, and the dynamics of her family was changing.

  As she was pondering her thoughts, Arthur called back.

  “Alexis are you alone? I’ve been debating whether or not to mention this to you, but Marcus just called me and wants to meet with me.”

  “About what, Dad?”

  “Well, before Judith and I went to Hawaii, he came to my office and wanted to borrow a large sum of money to invest in his mine. Originally, he wanted $100,000….”

  “$100,000,” Alexis screamed into the phone. “I told him not to ask you, I didn’t think he would be so brazen to ignore my request.”

  “Take it easy, Alexis. I can’t afford that much and I would never ask Judith to invest in such a wild scheme. She is always being hit up to subsidize other people’s ideas.”

  “Did you know that Marcus and Eric are taking $60,000 in equity out of Ruth’s house? This mine is taking over our lives and savings.” Alexis took a deep breath. “I do appreciate you telling me about Marcus, Dad.”

  “I’m sorry to hear about Ruth’s house. How quickly people forget 2008 and how the housing market crashed because of reckless borrowing and homeowners depleting the equity in their homes.”

  “I haven’t forgotten,” Alexis said with a sigh. “Marcus and I are still paying for that lesson.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  The Courtship

  Alexis ran into Kyle walking to her first class on Monday morning. He was smiling as he grabbed her arm.

  “Someone had another good weekend.”

  “Alexis, it was wonderful. This relationship is moving faster than I ever expected, but somehow it just feels so right.”

  “Kyle, I’m thrilled for you, and I can’t wait to meet this special lady. Oh, by the way if you and Mercedes don’t have plans for Thanksgiving, my dad and Judith would love to have both of you join us.”

  “Let me talk to Mercedes. We hadn’t discussed plans for the holiday, but I know her sister is going to her husband’s family for dinner. This might work out. She will get to see what classy friends I have and Judith’s house will dazzle her. Thanks, I’ll call you later.”

  Eric called Sam Murdock and told him that he and Marcus were in on the deal. He asked what they needed to do next. Sam said he would set up an appointment with his attorney on November 30, for them to start the paperwork for the brothers to sign over their mine to his investment group. On December 15, the deal would be finalized after Marcus and Eric delivered a $90,000 certified check to Sam’s attorney. Hopefully, the survey would begin after the Christmas holidays. Eric’s heart beat a little faster, and he started to breathe with difficulty when he thought about the huge debt he had agreed to undertake. Now he had to tell his brother they both were committed to go forward with the deal.

  Marcus didn’t mention anything to Alexis as they dressed for Thanksgiving dinner. Alexis was chatting about Kyle’s new girlfriend and Christopher’s latest new lady. Marcus was dreading having to ask Arthur for a $30,000 loan, but he decided he was going to do it today after dinner.

  As always, Judith and Arthur’s house was beautiful. Christmas lights were strung under the eaves and around the front windows of the home and a gorgeous wreath hung on the front door. Judith greeted Alexis and Marcus with air-kisses as she opened the door and wished them a Happy Thanksgiving. As they entered the foyer, Arthur who was holding Ashley’s hand greeted them. Ashley reached out for Alexis and hugged and kissed her.

  “Guess what, Aunt Alexis? Daddy and I brought a special friend, Darcy. Just wait until you meet her, she is as pretty as Princess Elsa.”

  At that moment, Christopher and a beautiful slender blonde walked into the living room. Christopher smiled as he held hands with the lovely young girl and introduced her to Marcus and Alexis.

  “Didn’t I tell you?” injected Ashley as she pulled on Alexis arm. “Doesn’t she look just like Princess Elsa?”

  “So lovely to meet you,” Alexis smiled and shook hands with Darcy Wright. “As you can tell, I’ve heard a lot about you from my Disney-loving niece.”

  Arthur was pouring drinks for everyone when the doorbell rang again. This time Arthur answered the door as Judith was in the kitchen organizing her staff. It was Kyle and Mercedes. Introductions were made, and everyone found seats in the living room. Conversation flowed easily as
everyone talked to each other and included the two young newcomers.

  Christopher and Darcy told a charming story of how they had met. They met at a restaurant bar each waiting for a blind date that had been prearranged by separate friends. Christopher began the story, “I told my friend that I didn’t want to go on a blind date, but my friend from work claimed that he had found the perfect girl for me. One date he insisted, it would be worth my time.” Darcy interrupted with a similar story about her roommate wanting her to meet a friend’s brother. Both blind dates were set at the Rusty Spur Saloon, a famous hangout in Old Town Scottsdale. The bar features live music and was noisy, filled with young and not so young individuals. The bar stools were shaped as women’s legs donning cowboy boots and bloomers.

  Christopher explained how he was midway through his beer, when this gorgeous blonde walked in—he held out his hand pointing to Darcy. “As she approached me, I started praying this was my blind date.”

  Darcy continued. “I asked if his name was Doug. Saying my own prayer that he was my blind date.”

  “I shook my head so disappointed,” continued Christopher. “Until this lady sat down next to me. After a few minutes of amusing conversation, the band took stage and started playing loudly. I suggested we leave and go somewhere where we could hear each other.”

  “I was so pleased, but shocked,” Darcy said. So I asked, “What about our real blind dates?”

  “Maybe, they will connect with each other like we did,” laughed Christopher as he helped Darcy with her coat and escorted her outside. “We agreed to meet at the Old Town Tortilla Factory a few blocks away. The rest of the evening was magical, and we’ve been seeing each other ever since.”

  Alexis smiled and asked if their friends ever found out about the switch at the Rusty Spur Bar. They laughed and explained that was another whole story.

  Soon Judith’s maid announced that dinner was served. The group found their seats designated by place cards. The room was festive and elegant with a tasteful arrangement of fall flowers, delicate china, and crystal glassware. Conversation varied from current events to local gossip. Everyone seemed to have an enjoyable time. Kyle couldn’t stop smiling as he glanced at his lovely date.

  After dinner, Alexis saw Marcus and her father enter his den as the other men were standing around the pool discussing football. Judith, Alexis, and the two young women adjoined to the living room. For several days before Thanksgiving, Alexis and Marcus had many intense conversations about not asking Arthur for money for his stupid mine project. Alexis suddenly realized that seemed to be the constant conversation at their house, and she was growing weary of the subject and frightened of the conclusion.

  On the way home, Marcus broke the silence, “I know you told me not to, but I asked your father for some money. However, your father only offered me $10,000 for our mining project. I offered to repay the loan or give him a percentage of the profits, but he refused both. He said that he had given Charlotte money over the years and he felt this would even the score.”

  “Even the score?” snapped Alexis. “Giving you money that should have been given to me. That doesn’t make any sense. What really upsets me is that you met with Dad after I explicitly asked you not to ask for money. So you are still short $20,000, who are you and Eric going to strong arm to get that?”

  “Alexis, I honestly believe this mine is going to pay off. If you like I can either pay you back the $10,000 or give it back to your father. And in answer to your question about the rest of the money, I don’t know yet.”

  Alexis didn’t bother to answer and when the car pulled into their driveway and stopped while the garage door opened, Alexis opened the car door and walked into the house without another word.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  The Unscrupulous Agreement

  Alexis tossed and turned that night thinking about everything that had gone on the last few weeks. She did notice at dinner how much calmer her father was and maybe even happier. Maybe he and Judith had come to an understanding. She just hoped this $10,000 loan wouldn’t destroy that newfound tranquility. And, yes, she decided that the money her father would give Marcus was just a loan, she would make sure Marcus paid it back to her dad.

  Alexis was in the kitchen early the next morning making breakfast when the Darth Vader ringtone sounded. Gee wiz, first I’m fighting with Marcus, now I’ll have to fight with my sister too, thought Alexis as she answered her phone.

  “Hi, Charlotte. How was your Thanksgiving?”

  “Alexis, Christopher called me this morning. Actually he woke us up to inform me that he is going to fight for full custody of Ashley. Can you believe it?”

  “Charlotte, I’m not surprised. You haven’t seen your daughter for over three and a half months, you very seldom call her, and I think he would have a good case that you have abandoned your child.”

  “Alexis, how can you be so mean? I love my daughter. It’s just been tough dealing with everything when I live three thousand miles away. I can’t just fly to Phoenix for a weekend.”

  “Well, Christopher is the one who is taking care of your child, making decisions, supporting her, and he wants to move on with his life.”

  “What does that mean? Is Christopher involved with another woman?”

  “Call Christopher and talk to him; you’re a big girl now,” Alexis suggested as she disconnected the call.

  Marcus walked out of the bedroom and asked, “What’s for breakfast?”

  “Cold cereal and toast. Fix it yourself.” Alexis walked out of the room to get dressed and work on her book. Maybe if she devoted more time to finishing the suggested revisions from her editor, she would be able to get it published sooner and start bringing in some much-needed revenue.

  Alexis hating fighting with her husband, but her anger just grew every time she thought of the money that he and Eric were going to pour into this stupid mine venture. After breakfast, Marcus dressed and popped his head into the office.

  “I’m going to be gone for a little while, see you later.”

  Alexis didn’t ask where he was going or when he thought he would be back.

  “Bye,” she responded.

  Marcus backed his car out of the driveway and stopped. He dialed Walter’s cell phone.

  “Hi, Marcus,” answered Walter. “I’m hoping you are calling me to tell me you either got all the money you needed for your mine or you decided to sell the mine to Sam and his investors.”

  Right, Marcus thought. You just wanted to remind me that you aren’t going to loan me any money.

  “To tell the truth,” Marcus started slowly. “I want to ask you for Missy’s brother’s phone number. Eric and I are $20,000 short and yes, we have decided to invest with Sam.”

  Walter laughed. “Marcus, you don’t call and set up a meeting with Anthony. Either Missy or I will have to call him, give him your pitch, and see if he’s interested. Then he will set up a meeting place where to meet with you and Eric.”

  “This sounds very unethical.”

  “This is not your regular bank loan application,” shot back Walter. “Marcus, you do realize the man is a thug, and he charges outlandish interest rates. Plus if you miss a payment, he doesn’t give your name to a collection agency, he will send his goons after you and your family. Is this really something you want to do?”

  “No, I don’t want to do it. But we don’t have any other options, I wish I could get a short term loan from somebody else….”

  “Marcus, I haven’t changed my mind. I’m not loaning you any money. By the way, his name is Anthony Bonasera.”

  “Bonasera? That sounds like a name from The Godfather.”

  “Yeah, once you meet Anthony, you will think a lot about The Godfather movies. Why do you think I never married Missy after all these years? I want as little as possible to do with her family and their contacts and I never want to be legally bound to them. They scare me to death. Do you still want me to talk to her brother?”

  “Yes, we
have no other choice.”

  Marcus put his car in gear and drove to Eric’s house. He was hoping his latest encounter with Walter would shake Eric up enough to call off the deal. It didn’t.

  Alexis was happy to go back to teaching classes on Monday, after the long weekend. Things were worse between her and Marcus. They only spoke to each other when necessary, and Marcus had moved into the guest room.

  After work on Wednesday, November 30, Marcus and Eric drove to Sam Murdock’s office to sign the papers to begin the process for the partnership. They met with Sam, and two of his partners in a conference room. The investors’ lawyer explained all the details and notarized their signatures. Marcus and Eric would bring a certified check for $90,000 to the group on December 15, 2016, and finish the escrow process of signing over their mine.

  Walter called Marcus back on the first day of December to let him know he had set up a meeting for him and Eric with Anthony. It was to be held at a soccer field in east Mesa.

  “A soccer field,” protested Marcus. “Why not a restaurant or a Starbucks?”

  “Anthony is paranoid,” explained Walter. “He doesn’t want to be recorded by any security cameras. You know they are everywhere. This particular soccer field is in an undeveloped area where there are no homes, no businesses, and no cameras.”

  The meeting was set for December 3. Marcus was very nervous as he and Eric drove up to the soccer field. Fortunately, it was a Saturday, and numerous soccer games were being played. There were kids of all ages with their moms and dads invading all the playing areas. Marcus exhaled a sigh of relief; they weren’t meeting in a deserted park. After parking the car, Eric and Marcus walked around the soccer field until they spotted a black van parked in an empty section away from the playing fields. Several empty picnic tables sat under a huge tree. A man dressed all in black saw them and waved them over as he walked over to an empty bench. Two men jumped out of the van and stood nearby.