Book Two/Chapter Thirty-Three: The Root of All Evil
When it came to athletic events, I usually had no problem competing. However, now that Ami was part of my life and around to witness my abilities, it would've been nice to win something other than the pie-eating contest! And I had done it with ease!
The pies the contestants were presented with weren't the typical size you buy at the store. These were massive, provided by the local bakery. They were in a pan about the same size as Obi's water bowl. I would guess they were at least two inches deep. It was all I could do to finish the thing, but I'd done it and I'd won.
Ami seemed extremely proud of me, especially after I'd been presented with the massive trophy bearing the golden pumpkin on top. Of all things, this contest, in particular, was the highlight of the entire celebration and I'd never even entered it before.
I humbly accepted the award and quickly stepped off the stage.
"Ben, this is my sister Sloan," Ami announced once I'd joined her on the ground.
I tucked the trophy beneath my arm and extended my hand. Instead of receiving a full, firm handshake, she offered only the ends of her fingers – almost as if she was expecting me to kiss them, which I wasn't about to do.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," I told her, awkwardly squeezing her fingers while hoping my face and clothing weren't covered with pie filling. Surely, Ami would've warned me if they were.
"I wish it was under better circumstances," the woman replied.
I'd never seen someone so perfectly groomed in this town before. She almost didn't seem real; resembling something more like a mannequin than a person. Not a hair was out of place, not a smudge on her face or a wrinkle in her expensive clothing.
I was trying to keep an open mind and not judge her too quickly, although the first impression I got from her was that she was haughty.
"Perhaps we can go talk in the diner?" Ami suggested.
Actually, the thought of food was enough to make my stomach turn. I was doing everything I could to keep the pie where it belonged.
"Is it clean?" Sloan had the nerve to ask.
"They routinely pass their health inspections," I commented dryly, which resulted in Ami grabbing my hand to squeeze it tightly.
What did I say?
"Very well," her sister agreed as if she had no other choice
After we were seated, I ordered a glass of ice water while the two women both got salads. The conversation began timidly as they ate, but finally, Ami got up the nerve to kick the elephant so prominent in the room.
"What's the meaning behind this lawsuit I was presented with last week?" she asked bluntly, surprising both Sloan and myself.
Ami was one of the kindest people I knew. I sure hoped I wasn't a bad influence on her!
"The details are all in the subpoena," Sloan informed us. "Basically, my husband Darren believes you obviously have no interest in the estate, which your past actions have confirmed."
"How so?" Ami debated. "I have stayed in that house during most of my time off from school. I've only been living here in Protection because I chose to do my final internship here."
"And are you going to vacate it and return home once you graduate?" Sloan asked directly.
I noticed Ami's reply wasn't so ready for that particular question. We'd never talked about her childhood home or what she planned on doing with it. Actually, the decision was completely up to her and her sister. I didn't want to offer my opinion on the subject. I just hoped she understood that if we did end up getting married, I had no intentions of leaving Protection. It was my home and my livelihood was here.
"I don't know," Ami told her truthfully. "Ben and I haven't gotten that far into our relationship to discuss it."
For some reason, her answer bothered me. Why hadn't we confirmed our plans yet? What were we waiting for? To see if she got hired in Protection? If she didn't, surely that didn't mean we had to break up! Did it?
If she didn't get hired anyplace close and had to leave the area, would I seriously consider letting her go for my own sense of self-worth and comfort?
The fact was, I hadn't really thought about it before. Up to this point, we had simply been enjoying our time together. Once in a while, Ami would mention the possibilities of our future, but I usually played it off with some witty comment. It's what I always did in tense situations.
Sloan's visit was forcing this particular issue up front and frankly, it was making me uncomfortable. I didn't want us to be rushed. We had all the time we needed to take things nice and slow. Or so I'd hoped.
"If you are planning on vacating the property, then it would be wise of you to sign it over to Darren and me," Sloan continued. "You will be offered a stipend, of course, but I would be the main beneficiary and executor of the estate. Face the facts, Ami. You've never been interested in Father's business or finances and have denied your birthright ever since you were old enough to understand what it meant. I, on the other hand, have embraced not only the lifestyle to which we have grown accustomed but the responsibilities that accompanies it. There's much more to being wealthy than outsiders understand."
I'd never been called an outsider before. Sloan had a strange view of life. But then I'd never known a truly rich person before. Maybe it wasn't so strange after all.
"That's fine by me," Ami suddenly and unexpectedly announced which caused me to turn my head and look at her rather incredulously.
Was she honestly willing to give up her share of her family's fortune and her lavish childhood home? Why?
"Good," Sloan stated, her smile turning truly greedy. I had the suspicion the woman was used to getting her own way.
At that moment, I decided I didn't like Sloan at all. She was a selfish and conceited woman who believed her money made her better than everyone else.
"I'll have my attorney draw up the papers for you to sign and there will be no need to drag this through court. Trust me, Ami. Both Darren and I believe this is for the best. We can make much better use of the estate than you. He has several entrepreneurial ideas and will continue to contribute to worthwhile charities, of course."
"Of course," Ami agreed.
I had no doubt her sister would've never believed this was going to go this easy.
"Since the matter seems settled, I'll be leaving."
Ami actually seemed offended at that point. "You're not staying? Not even for one night?"
"Are you kidding?" Sloan scoffed, her laugh a short, high-pitched trill. "There's no telling what sort of infestation thrives around here. No, thank you. I'll be returning home."
I took a big gulp of water at that point so I wouldn't say anything. Ami wasn't the only one offended.
"It's your choice," she replied kindly. "I wish you'd stay longer, but I understand."
Without taking another bite, Sloan stood, told us goodbye, and added her attorney would be in touch before walking out the door.
I sat back in my seat mentally exhausted from the struggle of not blurting out anything.
"She didn't even pay for the meal," Ami grunted with dissatisfaction.
I'd always spoken my mind with Ami since the day we'd met. She had always insisted upon it. We trusted one another to be honest and forthright.
"I don't understand," I began, no longer able to hold it all in. I simply couldn't wrap my head around her decision to give up so much and I told her so.
She smiled at me at first and then tried to explain. "When I was a young child, my family was so happy. I remember my mother and father dancing in our apartment, laughing, and embracing. We played games together, went to the movies, and to the park. We were always doing something together as a family. But then Father was offered a business deal. I remember him not wanting to take it since it was so risky, but Mother convinced him to. A few years after that, everything changed. The next thing I know, we've moved into this gigantic house in an upscale neighborhood. I even had a nanny and a butler. We never needed one before, but all of a sudden, it was the proper thing to do. I was miserable and I watched as the attainment of wealth stole away all of our joy."
"Your parents stayed together though, right?" I couldn't recall all the details she'd already shared, but I distinctly never heard her mention a divorce.
"Yes, until the accident. I was thirteen, but instead of drawing us closer together, her death only separated us more. My Father used his work as an escape and refused to talk about her. I believe that was what ate him up on the inside and it wasn't long after that he was diagnosed with stage four cancer."
"I'm sorry," I told her. "But at least you have the good memories from when you were young. I have no idea who my birth parents are. I never met them."
My confession didn't ease her troubled expression.
"Actually," she continued. "I think those memories made it much worse because I'd experienced it before but could no longer have the life I wanted."
I'd never thought of it that way. Indeed, it seemed as if I was the lucky one. Still..."You don't think you can use their money for anything? Perhaps build your own house, buy a new car, or take a vacation?"
Not that I wanted any of those things. I just wanted to make sure she wasn't about to do something she would later regret.
"I'm happy," she exclaimed, her mouth finally lifting into a smile. "Through my experience, I've learned too much money causes misery. I don't need it and I don't want it."