by Anita Claire
I shake my head.
“It would creep me out to live all alone in a house that big. It would be like living in the lobby of a Marriott hotel.”
“If you had a lot I mean a lot of money, what would you do?” I ask her.
“I don’t know. I guess, if I had a ton of money, I’d buy a little around town car, maybe electric. It’s so expensive to fill up my truck and it’s a total pain trying to find a parking spot. Hmmm, I know what else I’d do if I was really rich, when I’d go on a vacation, I’d fly business class. Did you know that in business class the seats recline all the way? I love to travel, but I hate to fly. Those thin crappie seats…when I fly, it feels like I’m in the modern version of Ellis Island. Flying makes me feel one step removed from carrying a chicken on my head. Oh yes, if I suddenly had a lot of money, I’d pay off my student loans. Now that would feel amazing.”
“What about a house in the hills?”
“You mean a lot,a lot, of money. If I had that kind of money I would buy a house in the hills, with a window to watch the sun rise.”
“That’s it? You don’t want to go on some crazy shopping spree?”
“And buy all the crap your friend Logan has? How many different kinds of drones can anyone own? What’s with that anyway?”
“You could fly drones over the mountains to check on your lions.”
“Your right, that would be cool. I never thought I would want a drone, but maybe….”
“If you had more money than what anyone can spend, what would you do with it?”
“Like the kind of money Logan has?”
I nod.
“I’d hire a private Hazmat team to clean up the toxic dump we found. I’d finance a notification program to tell us when lions are near inhabited locations. Then I’d fund the Connectivity Conservation Project. It’s an organization I’m involved with that builds bridges and tunnels over or under freeways for animals. It saves animal and human lives. I’m giving a talk about our lions next month at one of their local fundraisers. Let’s see, what else? I’d fund animal habitats. There’s a lot of private land not part of any park system housing endangered and threatened animals and habitats. The owners have a hard time managing the land. If I had a lot of money, you know like ‘Bill Gates-kind-of-money,’ I would provide grants to support endangered and threatened land. I would also provide grant funding for research. There are so many good programs out there, and with all the federal attacks on science, researchers are having a hard time getting funding. Global warming is just starting to affect the earth. We need to fund innovative programs that can protect the earth.”
It doesn’t escape me that besides a few simple things for herself everything else she wants to spend money on has to do with making the world a better place. Something I can get behind.
“If we’re dreaming about wealth, what would you do?” Ana asks me.
“I’d help out my family. But besides that, I don’t have a clue. I didn’t get into the high-tech world to make money. I did it because it’s what I found interesting.”
“You’re the only person who didn’t get in it to make money?”
“Most of the guys I know have worked for others to support themselves, but they create start-ups to create something bigger than themselves. No one complains about making money, but to make a company work, you need passion, and there’re a lot of people who make it big, and they still keep on working. That’s because they like being part of the creative process. They have passion for creating something and they love the excitement of growing company.”
Ana snuggles into me. “Supporting yourself is good. All that other stuff is fun to fantasize about. My life is good.” She kisses me softly on the lips. “I don’t need an around town car. It would be one more thing for Steven to get pissed about. I’m happy with what I have.”
***
Sneaking out of Ana’s warm bed early Monday morning is hard. Even so, I make it to CrossFit on time.
“Morning Brody, Payton wanted me to tell you she’d like us to get together with you and Ana,” Jax comments as a greeting.
With a nod, I start working out. Logan joins me. “This Ana...are you two serious?”
“She’s the one,” I confidently state as I move on to my next rep.
“The one what?”
“The one,” I repeat in exasperation. And with that statement, I head to the other end of the gym and start doing pull-ups. I’m done gossiping.
Logan follows me. “Dude, dating a woman for a month or two it’s way too early to declare that she’s the one.”
I ignore Logan, which never stops him from talking. “Dude, they’re valuing your company in the billions of dollars. You really need to be careful of gold diggers. How do you know she didn’t read some article and is targeting you?”
“Good point,” Aiden throws out as he watches my rep. “Did you ever see the movieBlack Widow?”
“Scarlett Johansson’s hot,” Jax adds.
“Not the character. There was this movie from the eighties about a hot, blonde serial killer who studies rich guys. She pretends to be his idea of the perfect woman, marries the guy, and then murders him to get all his money.”
“You see, that proves my point,” Logan smugly replies.
“Let’s get this workout going,” I call out to Jax.
Chapter 26 – Ana – Happy Hour
Brody:Landing at 6:30 p.m.
Ana:SFO or SJC?
Brody:SFO, be at your place 7-7:30 p.m.
Ana:I’m meeting my sister in the city for happy hour.
Brody:Take the train. I’ll pick you up and we’ll go out for dinner.
Ana:Text me when you land. I’ll tell you where we are.
Jazz has been blowing up my phone with all of her issues. I wonder if adult daughters call their mothers like this. Mom died when I was twenty-two and Jazz was only fourteen. I’m not even sure what Jazz sees me as. Am I her sister, surrogate mother, therapist, or an easy person to dump on? Regardless, we have this crazy co-dependent relationship and I feel I should support her.
Jazz:We’ll meet someplace good, don’t dress frumpy.
Do I dress frumpy? Then again, I have no idea what the latest trends are, unless they have to do with camping equipment.
Since I’m taking the train, I tell Jazz that we need to meet someplace south of Market Street. Texting her that I’ve arrived, she texts back where she is and has me walk down to the Embarcadero. Not surprisingly, she picked a bar that is very trendy and jam-packed full of people. I don’t think the two of us are meeting here to share quality time.
Before entering, I plaster on a fake smile, and flip my hair to get into the mood. All the people here have this high-tech hipster look to them. I think I’m the oldest person in the place. It doesn’t take long to spot my sister she’s one of those women who does well at bars. There’s a sophisticated flashiness about my sister that makes her stand out. She also doesn’t need to be drunk to have a flirty conversation with some guy.
As soon as she spots me, she extends her arm high and waves. Then she lunges at me and gives me a big hug. I’m wondering who this act is for. Not that she’s unfriendly, but Jazz puts on a show for others. I’m starting to wonder if she’s using the show,Real Housewives as a surrogate mother for lessons. She introduces me to a couple of men. I shake their hands and give them a polite, friendly smile. Jazz gets one of the guys to order me a drink.
The guy hands me the drink as he leans into me. “Are you two twins? I’ve always wanted to do twins.”
Ewww. I look down at my drink and contemplate throwing it in his face. Better judgment takes over. Annoyed, I use the “stupid girl” trick I learned in college for dealing with annoying guys: smile brightly, giggle, flip your hair, and take off. A woman in a bar never wants to piss off a drunk. I grab Jazz by the hand and pull her away from Mr. Ménage à Trois.
“That guy gives me the creeps. Can we move someplace else?”
“He just got a big round of
funding.”
“How do you know?”
“Come on, everyone knows. Anyways, a Silicon Valley eight is in reality a three with big funding. When their company hits a homerun, they move from an eight to a ten.”
“That’s a joke, not a lesson.”
“Do you want to spend the rest of life living above someone else’s garage?”
“Jazz, you’re way too old to still be choosing men for the wrong reasons.”
“Drink up Ana, you are turning into a drag,” she replies with a big, fake smile.
I pull out my phone from my pocket and look at the time. Hopefully Brody is landing. What was I thinking when I agreed to meet my sister for happy hour? This is not my scene. If Brody doesn’t get here soon, this is going to turn into very long night.
Mr. Ménage à Trois finds us. “What are you girls gossiping about? If it’s too noisy here, we can go to my place. I live at the Avalon.”
Jazz rewards him with a big smile, which makes me assume that he just dropped a name I should be impressed by. After spending the last month with Brody, who is so low key and confident, I’m repulsed by this guy who needs to show off. With a big, fake smile followed by a hair flip, I remind myself to be polite as I maneuver myself away from him. Luckily, a few of Jazz’s friends join us and they’re actually fun.
My phone buzzes.
Brody:Landed. Where R U?
“Are you going to stay here for at least an hour? I’m trying to coordinate with a friend,” I yell into Jazz’s ear.
“Let’s go two doors down,” one of Jazz’s friends volunteers.
Since our location is now a moving target, I text Brody back.
Ana:Confirm our location before you leave your car.
Thankfully we blow off Mr.Ménage.
As we move to the third bar of the evening, Brody lets me know he’s arrived.
Brody:Parked.
I’m thinking a quick introduction so the two of us can get out of the bar. Just as the hundredth person asks if Jazz and I are twins, I start wondering if men think all you need is the same coloring to look like twins.
Jazz grabs my arm and squeals. “This is my lucky night. I just spotted a whale, or maybe a unicorn. Whichever, watch and learn.”
“What are you talking about?”
“The Holy Grail, a hot rich guy just entered.” Her eyes are on fire as she flips her hair and heads into the crowd.
As I follow her, some random guy grabs my arm and starts hitting on me. Annoyed, I smile brightly, giggle, flip my hair, and take off. Thankfully Brody’s here and we can leave.
Chapter 27 – Brody – Bar Scene
With too few hours of sleep from traveling, I shake off my weariness as I head through the bar. I hope I can extricate Ana fast. I’d like to get something to eat, then head home. A couple strangers try to get my attention one grabs my arm and another tries to talk to me. Blowing them off, I scan the crowd for Ana. When I spot her, I’m surprised she stands out from the crowd, dressed all sexy and flashy.
With a big, flirty smile she catches my eye, waves her hand high over her head in an exaggerated movement, and then she heads my way. A sinking feeling fills my soul. Logan’s warning from a couple days ago plays in my mind. This is not the Ana I thought I was falling for. This one looks high maintenance and like a player. My sister warned me that Ana might be a gold digger and I told her she was being ridiculous. I want a woman who wants to be with me, not my money. I thought Ana and I were on the same wavelength. Seeing Ana in this environment, makes me debate if Logan was on to something.
As Ana gets closer, something seems off. Then I spot a second Ana,my Ana. Flashy Ana must be her sister. They really look similar. Some guy grabs my Ana by the arm. I watch as she gives him one of her beautiful smiles, giggles, and flips her hair. My stomach twists as I witness her flirt.
Her sister reaches me quickly. I can’t hear what she says, but it’s a full on pick-up line as she runs her hand over my chest and sticks her boobs in my face, blocking my view of Ana. As I attempt to maneuver her sister around, she falls into me, wrapping her arms around my shoulders.
“Let’s get out of here,” she breathlessly purrs.
Simultaneously I feel someone grab my arm. “Let’s get out of here,” Ana’s voice rings in my other ear.
I pull the sister off me and grab Ana by the hand. With my focus on the front door, I create a path through the crowd. Outside, we finally can hear each other and are no longer being jostled by so many people. Her sister follows us.
“Wow, Ana, change of heart?” Ana’s sister chides her and then she rubs herself against me. She turns and gives me her undivided attention. “Let’s head back to your place, the three of us can have a private party.”
“Jazz!” Ana gasps as she maneuvers herself between her sister and me.
“Hey, I would have shared that last guy with you.”
“No sharing, not happening,” Ana defiantly exclaims.
“What the hell is going on?” I interrupt.
“This is my sister, Jazz.”
“That I gathered.”
“You can’t muscle in and take him for yourself,” Jazz spits out.
“Jazz, he’s not in line to be your latest conquest.”
“This is so typical of you, Ana. You always think you can tell me what to do.”
“Now you’re acting like a spoiled child.”
“There you go again. You’re not my mother and I resent you talking down to me.”
“You’re such a hypocrite. You want me to make all the decisions, pull your ass out of problems, but you’re shockingly thin-skinned about your own behavior.”
“Don’t act so above it with me. You’re not ‘Miss Independent.’ I know you called Dad and asked him for money. Now you’re trying to muscle in and catch yourself a rich guy.”
Jazz turns her eyes back to me. She gives me a big flirty smile. “I think we should share. I bet you’d enjoy a sister act.”
“Jazz,” Ana exclaims.
As their argument escalates, a wave of exhaustion meets a wall of annoyance. Not wanting to deal with this insanity I lean into Ana. “I’m getting the car. I’ll drive past and pick you up.”
She waves her hand, dismissing me.
“ Okay.”
Where the hell is Ana? I circle the block. Then call her phone. I get her voicemail.
“I’m in the car, where are you?”
Making a bigger perimeter, I check my messages. Nothing. I circle the bar again. No Ana. I call again and get her voicemail again.
“Ana, I have no idea where you are. I’m tired. Call me. If I don’t hear from you in the next ten minutes I’m heading home.” I also text her for good measure.
Brody:Circling around looking for you, text me.
Ten minutes later I call and get her voicemail.
“Pick up your damn phone!”
I wait five more minutes.
Brody:I’m heading home.
The last hour spins in my head as I drive home. Nothing was right about that scene. And the comment her sister made about borrowing money and looking for a rich guy. Logan and my sister’s warning about jumping in too fast with a woman I just met wreaks havoc in my mind. I thought I knew who Ana was. But what was her sister talking about? Could Ana really be a different woman than the one I know?
Chapter 28 – Ana – Where did he go?
I’m hashing all our dirty laundry, out on the street, and in front of Brody. He must think I’m a twelve-year-old idiot. I turn around, no Brody. I could tell he was annoyed...but…where’d he go?
“He’s gone?” I ask as a wave of confusion passes through me.
“Great, we finally hooked a whale and you had to start a stupid argument.”
“He’s not your fish, he’s mine.”
“I saw him first. You can’t muscle in on my action.”
“Jazz, he’s my boyfriend. He came here to meet up with me, and to meet you.”
“Your boyfriend? You�
�re dating Brody Walker?”
“How do you even know Brody?” I look around and call out, “Brody! Brody?” I turn back to Jazz. “Where did he go?”
“Wait, you’re really dating Brody Walker?”
“Yes, I told him to meet me here. We’re supposed to be going out for dinner. Now where would Brody go?”
“Do you even know who he is?”
“I’m dating him, of course I know who he is.”
“Damn, I was right. You act all sanctimonious telling me I need to find a guy for the right reasons while you’re off hooking up with some billionaire. You just want to hold your money over me.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Brody Walker, he started ClosedDoor. Don’t act like you don’t know.”
“Wait, Brody works at ClosedDoor. ”
Jazz is aghast. “You have no idea who he really is? How can this be? How can my old, frumpy sister hook a whale? This has to be some cosmic joke.”
“I’m not old and frumpy.”
Jazz rolls her eyes, pulls out her phone, types, and hands it to me. “Really? You’re really dating Brody Walker?”
As I start reading, my stomach twists. It feels like I’m reading about someone else, but the picture has Brody’s face. I feel like I need to sit down, or walk, or do something. Yes, he’s always working two phones, and yes, he drives a fancy car. Could this be my Brody? I need some peace and quiet to digest this. I go to the side of the building and continue to page through the browser on Jazz’s phone.
Brody Walker, the latest Prince of Silicon Valley...in less than four years he has re-written the technology security industry….
...with the latest round of five hundred million in funding, ClosedDoor’s estimated worth...over fifteen billion dollars….
This doesn’t make sense. Brody lives in a sterile one-bedroom apartment.
Jazz interrupts my reading. “Wait, have you met the other CrossFit guys?”
“You know about Jax’s CrossFit studio?”
