Coincidence

'Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.'

Darrell Royal

Rand entered his office and ringed for his secretary. He asked her to send in the Sales Manager. The phone rang, and he was informed that his manager was late. Once again. Things were getting out of hand, and 'al Thor was not one to let things get out of control. He demanded discipline, and he always got it. It was either that, or the way out. Byar had worked hard, and Rand was sorry he had to fire him. After half an hour, there was a knock on his door. In came Byar, looking tired and lost. Rand was shocked by his appearance, his shirt was creased, he hadn't shaved in days and his eyes were bloodshot.

'Do you know Byar… this has been the second time this week that you have been late. I am a stickler for punctuality and cannot stand indiscipline. I am sorry, but you will be receiving your termination letter soon.

'I am sorry, Sir. This was the last time. Please do not fire me, I cannot afford it. Please, I beg you. My… mother…' Byar broke off.

'Your mother? What does she have to do with all this?'

'She's sick sir. She has an ovarian cyst… if she doesn't get an operation done soon, she will… die. I don't have the money… I have been with her in the hospital…I need $20,000. I…'

'Which hospital?'

'I... I am sorry, sir?'

'I said, Mr.Byar, which hospital is your mother admitted in?'

'The Cleveland Clinic Foundation…'

'Name?'

He was never one to waste words.

'Irwin,sir.'

Rand nodded and asked him to leave, and warned him not to be late again.

When Byar had left, he rung up his secretary.

'Josie, I want you to transfer $20,000 to the Cleveland Clinic Foundation for a patient named Arwen Byar. Do not mention this to anyone.'

Josie nodded and transferred the money.All the while, she thought, 'What a man! He truly is the heights!' She knew about Byar's mother, for she was a family relative. She understood what her boss was doing, and respected him more for it. The day went on. Rand sighed when he remembered he had a meeting with the McDonalds people. They could not stop bugging him to open a chain in all his hotels. He was impatiently anticipating the end of the meeting. He sat there, listening to all the old guys droning on.

'I think, if not all, then the one in New York is most suitable.' said one guy.

Rand gave in. 'O.k., Mr.Haile. I will go over to New York tomorrow, and get everything organized.'

'Yes, Mr.'al Thor, our representatives in New York will pick up where we left off.'

Rand felt that this meeting had, somehow, gone in favor for himself. He felt strange, as though he had just done something that would change his whole life. He wished he knew what it was. Anyways, just as he was getting ready to leave, his phone rang. Rand smiled when he saw who it was. He had not received a phone call from her all morning, and wondered what had gotten into her. He braced himself for an impact, for he knew that somewhere, something was waiting for him. Maybe, he was wrong in suspecting everything had to do with her, but she usually was the root cause of everything good or bad in Rand's life. He listened for a moment to Shakira explaining that Hips don't lie then answered the phone.

'Hey, wazzup?'

'Not so much, my man! I was wondering why you hadn't called me…!'

'What a peculiar coincidence, I too was wondering why you hadn't called me…'

'A coincidence that occurs every morning, Rand my man?'

'Yes, my girl.'

'I am not your sister.'

'Of course not.'

'Why do you say of course not? Huh?'

'Cuzz… I say.'

'Oh right, I gotta go Rand, my man! Da's calling me!'

'Of course, my girl. Go, Da's waiting'

'Rand I will kill you.'

'You are more than welcome to.'

He flipped (the in term for hung up!) the phone and smiled. Min was his best friend for life. She was a real chic, with loadza wild black hair that fell to her shoulders. She was like, every man's sister, and considered all guyz to be something foreign. Right, getting back to the topic, he liked her. As a friend. He never thought of her in any other way, for all you gossip-mongers out there. He sprayed some Fahrenheit on himself and went back to the files. He looked forward to the trip to NYC. He adored the Big Apple and always remembered to buy those caramel nuts he was nutz about. He just hoped that Egwene wouldn't insist on coming along, he was sick of getting embarrassed in front of the Bloomingdale staff, for not having enough to give to orphans. He also had a feeling that this trip was meant for him and him alone. A sharp prod of fate, leading him in the right direction. He collected his tickets and went back home. Egwene was waiting for him, as faithful as any sister and as happy as a lark. He felt guilty for not wanting her along, but his reasons were genuine. He told her that he would be going to NYC. He waited for the squeal, the excitement, the hugs, instead he received a shrug and an 'enjoy yourself' greeting. Weird. He told his mom and then sat down for dinner. He was about to eat when a sharp poke in the back made him look back. Wincing, he turned around.

'That's my chair you're sittin' in, ya wool-headed sheep.'

'Whatever Min, its my house.'

'I don't see your name on it.'

'I don't see your name on this chair.'

Before he realized what was happening, Min lunged forward and tipped over the chair.

'Ouch! What… under the light… was that for, you flaming fox…foxess… whatever..!'

'My name', said Min, pointing towards the inside of the chair.

He sighed and straightened himself. What a life, he thought. Wake up to the voice of a child, and retire to the immature tactics of a child. He withdrew to his private chambers and asked the guards standing outside to give it a break. He and Thomdril's whole family received special protection…from everywhere. From all the guards he had had so far, he felt that these tall, red-haired people were the weirdest. They called themselves Aiel and came from Saudi Arabia. They veiled their faces when they sensed danger, and called war the Dance of the Spears. Wierdos. Min seemed to be mucho impressed by them. He couldn't see what was so nice in them, himself. They called themselves 'Stonedogs' and 'Water-seekers' and were afraid of water. They had asked the antique sword of King Tutankhamen to be removed, and were whispering something about gai'shain. Fools, thought Rand. He quickly fell asleep, and had weird dreams about a woman in white robes, who kept on saying '5 cent a scoop, fresh nuts! Fresh nuts! Come and get 'em and receive a sword free! He tried to get to her, but she tipped over the nut-barrel and he slipped over the nuts, bruising his butt. Before he could regain his balance, a voice was saying… ' Now suffer the plight of Ba'alzamon!' And then Olver was playing snakes and ladders with him, and he was losing to him. He woke up shivering and sweating. Never again, he thought, am I going to have macaroni and cheese for dinner.

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