"He changed his mind?" Michelle asked her dad excitedly. "You were so sure that he wouldn't, so what could have happened for him to change it after only two days? We didn't even have time to put that plan that you came up with into action."
"Well, we did agree that we'd give him a few days, a week at least to think about it," Dave reminded his daughter. "However, if I had to guess, I would say, that somebody he trusts found out about his decision and probably told him he was being an idiot."
"You said, he doesn't have many friends, much less close ones," Michelle told her father.
"And he doesn't, at least not ones that are apparent," Dave confirmed. "If I had to guess I would say it's one of his siblings, as he does have several. If anybody knows where you're vulnerabilities are it's someone you grew up with. I'm sure, if it was one of his siblings, that they would've pointed out how illogical he was being. Also, I told you he's one of those that has trouble seeing his own self-worth. I wouldn't be surprised, if that's because of one of his parents or possibly some of the children that he went to school with, maybe both. You know how people are Mellie, as you're to old not too. Even a parent who is supposed to love their kids don't necessarily not try to break their self confidence in themselves for any number of reasons. It doesn't even have to be deliberate or a conscious action you know, as a kid can overhear an adult conversation to a colleague or a friend over the communicator."
"They can hear their father or mother grumbling about them and get the wrong impression," Michelle added. "Kids are impressionable after all, even intelligent ones."
"A lot of the adults too," Dave agreed. "Anyway, that's the answer I would bet on. I certainly wouldn't want any of my siblings pestering me constantly to get me to agree to do something just to get them to leave me alone."
"If you had any siblings to do that," Michelle smirked. "Since you don't, how do you know?"
"I might not have any siblings Mellie, but I've seen other families interact enough times to know what I'm talking about." Dave told his daughter calmly. "I've been inside homes for parties. I've met George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and John Adams. I've met both Roosevelts and Betty Ross. All of those mentioned had families and I watched them interact. I've even met Paul Revere."
"Alright, I believe you," Michelle said. "I'm just grateful somebody made him change his mind as it's not long before the 12th."
"We just would have reset the date if he didn't come on the 12th," Dave told his daughter. "We just did everything in the wrong way. We should've met at some restaurant at least the first time. Inviting a virtual stranger into our home when we have never officially met was a bad idea, especially for someone like Spencer... I know you wanted privacy, with no risk of being overheard, but it's not like were going to tell him about immortality right away. He would think we were both insane if we did, you know it."
"You're right, I should thought about meeting at a restaurant in a private room first," Michelle admitted. "I suppose I was just so anxious to officially meet him that I didn't think."
"At least he's coming and that's what matters." Dave told his daughter, giving her hand a squeeze. "Your brothers have agreed to stay out of it at least until after the official introduction. They know how important this meeting is to you and as much as they tease you they do love you, you know."
"I know and I love them too," Michelle grinned. "Besides, I give as good as I get and they know it."
This was so true that, Dave tried his best not to laugh. His children adored each other, even though they were all adopted and not related. He would love to have some children of his own that shared his blood, but until his mate was reincarnated if she ever was, that wouldn't happen.
He was just going to have to keep having one night stands for the foreseeable future. It wasn't even that he couldn't get some mortal woman pregnant, just that he was always careful not too, and whoever the woman was would either charge him a lot to take his own child, so that they wouldn't have to fight it out in court or want to raise them themselves.
It wasn't even that Dave cared about the money he would likely have to spend to get his son or daughter, just that it would be his child and he had every right to at least visit him or her. If it wasn't for the immortality he wouldn't mind if the women he got pregnant raised his child. Any child was bound to get some injuries when they were young, even it was just a skinned knee, and the mother was bound to notice that it healed immediately. If the mother had any sense she would know that that was impossible and begin to suspect that the child was not completely normal.
She would then wonder what he was and she'd would have to suspect that he was not completely human. Then, he could see, one of two things happening. The woman would either scream and drop the child off in an orphanage or try to blackmail him to keep his secret, even if she had no idea what he really was. She could even try to kill the child thinking they were some kind of demon. Despite the fact that this was the 23rd century some people were still very superstitious and always would be.
"Of course, it was possible that she would still love the child and care for their needs, but while that wasn't impossible, Dave wouldn't give that scenario very good odds.
"We need to be very careful what we say, at least at first," Dave warned Michelle seriously. "Remember, Spencer is a very intelligent young man. He's supposedly very perceptive."
"So are you still going offer him a job?" Michelle asked.
"Of course, I am, as there are numerous positions at that he could fulfill quite well. In fact, I think he'd do good in a high-level position, as he certainly has the education, the college degrees and the brains, but I won't offer him that, not right away. It would be suspicious for one thing, but in a year or two I certainly will, once he gains a little experience.
"He might turn you down flat," Michelle pointed out. "I agree with you about not offering him one of the higher position right off the bat, but do you really think he would allow himself to date me when I run one of the departments and am effectively the boss's daughter? I don't think he's the type to date someone from work, especially someone like me, that could see him lose his job if I reported him."
"That's a good thought," Dave said. "We don't know specifically what Dr. Reid will do, but from what I've found out about him you could very well be right. He appears to be the cautious type, which I'm sure is one reason he doesn't like to make waves at work. He doesn't want to have any kind of black mark on his record or become known as a tattletale."
"It's not being a tattletale to report harassment," Michelle said.
"If the the owner is fair and the company properly run then no it's not. Most owners of large business though, leave it to the various bosses or the Board of Directors to run them while they just sit back and rake in the money. The smart owners though do keep an eye on the activities of their employees, so that they're not stolen from."
"Well, you're definitely smart then, because you do keep an eye on your businesses interests from a distance to make sure that is no hanky-panky going on."
"I've learned about people and running a business as the centuries have passed," Dave said simply. "However, most people don't have our advantage, as they only lived for a certain amount of time."
"True," Michelle admitted. "So to change the subject, do you think Spencer will accept immortality exist?"
"I really don't know," Dave said suddenly serious. "For one thing he's so scientific and logical to believe in something that shouldn't be real. On the other hand though, if he loves you enough he'll at least listen to your explanation. He'll feel the connection to you just like you do to him, even if he's not immortal yet. It'll be hard for him to resist you because of that connection. On the third hand, I've heard he's very stubborn, so he might try to resist the connection between you not realizing that that's impossible to do for long, especially if he hangs around you for any length of time. Even if he refuses to be around after the initial meeting, the memory of meeting you is not going to fade from his mind like most memories do."
"Why not?" Michelle asked curiously.
"Some memories are simply too powerful and so are the emotions behind it. I'm sure Spencer has been thinking about your initial meeting constantly over the last few days. He won't have been able to help himself. I have never forgotten meeting my mate for the first time, where I kissed the back of her hand as a gentleman was supposed to do back then. She blushed very prettily when I did. My only regret is we had such a short time together, a few weeks is all," Dave said. "Some memories simply never fade like most do, especially if it was some kind of joyous or traumatic occasion. Those kind of memories tend to stick with you, like they've been burned into your brain. Spencer might control his mind better than most, but his refusal to think about your brief meeting is only going to make him think about it more. The mind has never been completely understood, not even in this century Mellie and while we know a lot more about it then we did in the 20th Century there are still many uncertainties. The brain is a complicated organ and for someone like Spencer who is so intelligent...well, he uses more of his brain then most people."
"Do you think that he knows that I am woman he met ever so briefly?" Michelle asked.
"Well, if he bothered to look up our family there are plenty of pictures of me, your brothers and you online. On the other hand, he might not have done that, so in that case he met for just a minute, so I would give it a 50-50 chance either way."
Michelle groaned, as that wasn't very helpful, but while her father could predict a lot of peoples actions, he had never actually met Spencer in person or seen him on TV.
"I'm sorry Michelle, but there is only so much I can tell you until I get a good gauge of him," Dave apologize.
"It's not your fault dad, I know that," Michelle said. "You've never actually met this Spencer Reid, so while you can give me a general idea you can't give me specifics."
"Once I meet him it'll be different," Dave said, "and the 12th isn't faraway."
"I know, I can hardly wait," Michelle said with excitement in her eyes.
"Don't worry so much, if he's to stubborn we're just going to have to do something to convince him," Dave assured his daughter who looked a little worried.
"I certainly hope so," Michelle said. "No offense, but I don't want to be like you, where you're content with your life, but not truly happy, because you don't have anyone permanent to share your life with."
"Believe me, I understand," Dave said in a dry tone with a warm smile, causing his daughter to laugh.
~~~Spencer and Michelle~~~
Spencer arrived at Rossi Manor right on time and rang the bell. The door was opened only a few seconds later as if somebody had been waiting for him to ring the bell.
"Welcome to my home, Dr. Reid," David Rossi greeted his guest warmly with a handshake.
"Mr. Rossi, it's very nice to meet you sir," Spencer said shaking the older man's hand not showing his surprise that it was David Rossi that had answered the door instead of a butler.
"You're right on time so why don't you come in. Dinner will be ready in a few minutes," Dave suggested and Spencer nodded, stepping over the threshold and into the foyer. Dave simply stepped away from the door and gestured Spencer to follow him and as soon as they were out of the immediate area the door closed automatically, because there was a sensor to let the computer know if there was anybody standing near it.
Spencer heard the sound of the door clicking closed and thought that that was kind a neat, even though he knew such technology existed. Still, he didn't have such technology on the door of his apartment, as he didn't live in that kind of place, so everything was still manual.
"We'll have drinks in the living room, as dinner is finished being prepared," Dave said. "We can discuss why you were sent that invitation, which I'm glad you accepted."
Spencer blushed at being reminded of his initial refusal.
"So what made you change your mind?" Dave asked in a cordial tone. "I was rather upset when you refused, though I did understand your reasons. I thought I'd give you a few days before I tried again."
"My sister, Roxanna," Spencer said quietly. "I'm sure you can guess what she said, at least basically."
"I can indeed," Dave agreed without chuckling. "I can just imagine how that conversation went. I'm glad that you decided to accept mine and my daughter's invitation, even if your sister Roxanna had to convince you."
"Well, I'm still not sure she was right," Spencer shrugged, "but she would've pestered me relentlessly unless I came. I assume you want me for some sort of project, maybe even to interview me for some type of position I never applied for."
"Well, at least you're honest," Dave told him chuckling. "I have been hearing about you for quite awhile now and I know that the job you have does not use your many talents fully. I wouldn't be surprised if you were bored out of your mind, but you don't want to leave your current position, because it's safer to stay where you are then take a chance."
"You're not completely correct though you surprise me at how right you really are," Spencer told Dave trying not to stare at the man who did not look more than 30 or so possibly 35. David Rossi, was supposedly in his 50s, but he sure didn't look it.
"You are right about me being bored, but the pay is more than decent and better then at most other places, which is the main reason I stay. The owner isn't as stingy about paying his employees for good work as a lot of others are. I did consider trying to get a job at one of your companies, but there didn't seem to be any open positions at the time."
"Well, there's not a lot of turnover at any of my companies, as I make sure I pay employees well. There is some however. It just so happens I have a project in mind that will fit your talents. I'll pay you double what you're making now."
Spencer blinked at Rossi in astonishment, even as he shifted his body into a more comfortable position on the sofa he was sitting on. The furniture here was very comfortable but Spencer was not, which meant that he wasn't as comfortable as he could be, because he couldn't allow himself to relax. He only hoped he was hiding his nervousness well.
"We'll talk about it some more over dinner that should be ready any minute now," Dave offered giving Spencer a way out temporarily. "Mellie isn't here right now after all."
"Well, yes, that's true and I suppose that your daughter does need to be here since her name was also on the invitation," Spencer said, even as he realized that the name Mellie was the nickname for Michelle
"Yes, she runs one of my departments, in one of my many business and very well I might add," Dave said with pride. "She will sit in and be part of this project I have in mind."
Dave didn't say that the project he had in mind was not the only reason he needed Spencer's expertise. Really, that was just a nice side bonus. No, the main reason Spencer had been called here was so he could meet Michelle officially and not just for less than a minute. Dave was sure that Spencer would recognize Michelle immediately, even though he'd only met her very briefly a few weeks ago
They were going to have to be very careful however, as he had told Michelle the other day, because he'd told his daughter Dr. Spencer Reid was very intelligent and also very perceptive, so they were going to have to watch their words and their actions whenever Spencer was around.
His thoughts were interrupted when dinner was announced by the lady in question.
"Dad, Dr. Reid, dinner is ready. Let's not allow it to get cold," Michelle announced.
"Of course, Michelle," Dave said calmly standing. "First let me introduce you to our guest Dr. Spencer Reid.
"It's very nice to meet you Dr. Reid," Michelle said shaking his hand, smiling at him. "I'm looking forward to working with you."
"It's very nice to meet you as well Miss Rossi. I'm sure I'll enjoy working with you," said Spencer before studying her for a moment. "We met before, just for a minute didn't we?"
"Yes, just a few weeks ago," Michelle agreed. "It was very nice talking to you if only for a minute."
"It seems a rather strange coincidence that we're seeing each other again," Spencer said with a frown. "I mean, what are the odds that you would be the woman I talked to for a minute in the parking lot and then, we meet again at your father's house. We never even exchanged names other then first."
"Well, that's because, I'm sure, we both assumed we'd never meet again," Michelle suggested.
"I suppose so," Spencer finally agreed.
"Sometimes a coincidence is just a coincidence," Dave said. "Let's go to dinner, before it really does get cold."
Spencer said nothing, but he wasn't entirely sure he agreed that his first time meeting Michelle had been a total accident and it just seemed coincidental, as normally, he didn't believe in coincidence like this. Spencer sat down at where Rossi indicated, which he noticed was right beside, his daughter Michelle. Surely the man wasn't trying to play matchmaker? Spencer thought, even as he served himself from the food on the table. There were plenty of young men out there that had trust funds or came from money that would be more appropriate for Michelle then himself. Surely, David Rossi wouldn't want someone like him as his son-in-law. While he wasn't exactly poor he certainly wasn't wealthy either.
Spencer never considered the fact that he was stereotyping and that not all people that were wealthy were the same.
"So about this project you hinted about," Spencer said as soon as he'd had a few bites.
Rossi begin describing what he wanted done and Spencer was nodding by the time Dave was halfway through.
"It's a good idea, but I ask again, why me? I'm sure that your daughter here could set up this charity organization with no help from me," Spencer said. "You can hire anybody to do that."
"That's not the only idea I have for a project," Dave said. "It's only a start of what I hope will be a lasting working relationship."
Spencer said nothing, looking down at his plate seeming deep in thought.
Neither Dave or Michelle said anything just ate their dinner while keeping an eye on their guest.
"From what I understand from some people I spoke with about you said you speak multiple languages, which is pretty unusual today. Most people are not even bilingual anymore much less speak multiple languages. Okay, a small percentage of people are at least bilingual, particularly if they have dual citizenship or they travel a lot for whatever reason, but is not exactly as common as it once was," Dave said finally speaking after over 20 minutes of silence.
"How do you know that? Almost nobody knows that," Spencer said finally staring at Dave with a rather shocked expression.
"I have my ways," Dave said mysteriously. "But the one thing I don't understand is why you hide your obvious talents. You are more talented then at least three quarters of the people that work for me and yet you hide behind your unassuming demeanor. You could conquer the world if you really wanted to with all your skills and yet, your working a job that while it pays well, doesn't really make you happy. Remember, you told me earlier that you were bored with the job you do have. You could do so much more with your life if you wanted too."
"And what if I don't like the spotlight," Spencer said quietly. "I stay in the background for a reason Mr. Rossi."
"You don't have to be in the spotlight to do good work Dr. Reid. To use your talents to the fullest," Michelle told him. "Don't you deserve recognition for all you do quietly? From what I understand from dad, your talents are hardly recognized at your place of employment. You're just tiny cog in a big machine. Don't you think you deserve recognition, instead of letting someone else steal your thunder?"
"I don't know," Spencer answered finally. "I never really thought about it."
"Well, make sure you do think about it," Dave urged him. "You are one of the few brilliant people I have met that don't have the arrogance that usually goes along with it. You have to know that many people with your type of intelligence are often full of themselves and treat others as if they are stupid."
"I did know that yeah," Spencer said. "There are several people like that at work. I simply ignore their attitudes and avoid them."
"While it's good that you avoid people like that, wouldn't you like to be appreciated or respected?" said Michelle.
"Being noticed just leads to jealousy," Spencer said. "The last thing I need is someone's jealousy aimed at me. I don't need someone picking on me just because of jealousy. I don't need someone playing nasty pranks on me, just because I'm smarter than they are or because I understand concepts they don't more easily."
"Something happened, something serious, that made you so leery of people noticing you," Dave noted. "You had to have at least one bad experience of making you so wary."
"It happened in high school," Spencer explained haltingly. "There was some kids that were jealous of me, so jealous that they lured me outside, stripped me of my clothing and tied me to the goalpost. I was only 13, and I was about to graduate. I'm actually surprised that those teenagers waited until my last year, to do what they did to me."
"So what happened?" Michelle asked appalled.
"My mother and my siblings became very worried when I didn't arrive home from school like normal. She called everyone in the neighborhood to find out if they had seen me. My sister was just three years younger than me had gone home with a girlfriend of hers, so wasn't there to raise the alarm. Finally, my younger brother did call mom who was stuck in a meeting at the University. It was after 6 o'clock by then. Mom finally called the principal of the school. They were old friends and had grown up together. They searched the whole school before they finally came out to where I was tied to the goalpost. I remember how relieved my mother was that I was basically okay, except for being half frozen as the Las Vegas desert can get freezing at night. The principal asked who had done this to me so they could be punished and believe me I was able to tell them every single name of those who had tortured me and left me out there to die. They believed me because my mother knew about my eidetic memory and also that I wasn't one to lie, especially not about something so serious as getting others in trouble, not unless they had actually done the deed.
"So what happened to those teenagers?" Dave asked looking furious.
"They were expelled on the spot as they were all 16 and certainly old enough to know better. They knew exactly what they were doing and because of it not only did they get expelled they got a permanent record with the cops in Las Vegas. They're lucky they weren't arrested and put on trial, but since it was the first offense as far as anyone knew they got off lightly and the fact, that they were 16 and underage also helped."
"Having such a record will follow them for the rest of their lives," Michelle said approvingly. "What they did to you was inhumane, so they deserved far worse. I suppose, since they weren't technically adults at the time they got off more lightly then they deserved. I mean they basically left you there to die. At the very least you probably would have ended up in the hospital, if someone hadn't found you just a few hours after they had done that."
"What they did was not only immature, it was stupid," Dave added. "I understand that teenagers aren't known for thinking rationally, but if they had thought about it they should have realized that your parents and your siblings would be looking for you. They had to know they'd never get away with it and the explanation that you deserved it for being a showoff would never hold water with responsible adults."
"It doesn't matter, they still live around Las Vegas as far as I know, but so long as I never encounter them again I'll be satisfied. The only reason they weren't punished more harshly was because I didn't even catch a cold or get sunburn from the incident, but I could have if I'd been out there longer. It might be blazing hot in the daytime, but it's a lot colder at night, even in the summer."
"I agree with my dad that it was a stupid thing to do. They likely ruined their whole future because of their idiocy. They held the grudge against someone who who was barely a teenager just because he showed how smart he was. It amazes me that your parents didn't send you to a private school, ones with kids that were just as intelligent. I'm sure they could've afforded it."
"My father objected when my mother suggested it to him when she called him to tell him about the incident, even though they were divorced. Said he wanted me to go to the same school he had and so refused to give her the extra money. I'm nothing like my father, because while he's certainly intelligent he didn't see that going to a regular high school would not only be way too easy but that I was bound to be bullied. Dad thought I should've gone through the grades one at a time no matter how bored I was. My mother objected and signed the papers that allowed me to skip grades. Let's just say my father wasn't pleased when he found out, even though he had no say in the matter considering he and mom were divorced."
"I would think your father would want to nurture your intelligence, not just ignore that it existed," Michelle said.
"I'm afraid my father is not like that at all. He finally came around, even though he still refused to send me to a private school and believe me, he was and is a very successful lawyer he could've afforded it. I stopped trying to understand my father's motives years go. Let's just say we're not very close."
"No wonder, considering what you went through in high school," Dave said shaking his head. "I can just imagine that there were things like being knocked down on the floor or pushed into lockers to deal with before you graduated. The human race hasn't advanced so far that bullying is going away. I doubt it ever will, as human beings won't change that much."
"No, it has been in our genes, ever since Adam and Eve stole an apple from the tree of wisdom," Spencer said, as he finished his dinner.
"I can see now why you prefer to be in the background and basically unnoticed," Michelle said quietly. "I'm sure that goalpost incident scarred you and with your eidetic memory you can never forget, but you also don't need to give those bullies power over you. You've done that long enough already. You need to show them that you're strong and brave and can face anything life throws at you."
"Maybe," Spencer acknowledged quietly.
"Not everyone is the same. You're an adult now, not some kid that some older teens took advantage of, so if anybody tries anything you can have them arrested or at the very least given a warning," Dave added. "Show them you know how to stand up for yourself and that you won't be intimidated. If they keep it up after they spend overnight in jail, well then, you at least tried to warn them to leave you alone or there could be serious consequences. If they're too stupid to stop after that that's not your problem."
"People that bully you won't stand up to someone like me or Dave, because we know how to defend ourselves," Michelle added.
"We'd sue there asses so fast, they wouldn't know what hit them," Dave said only partially joking. "We wouldn't do that necessarily, as it would depend on a lot of different factors."
"But the difference is you have money to back you up and I don't. The rich can often do things that ordinary people can't, because they don't have the funds or the resources. I won't say I don't make a decent living and yes, I know I could utilize my talents more, but I'm happy. I have enough for books and basic necessaries and that's enough for me," Spencer said calmly.
Spencer ignored the fact that his libido was in overdrive, every time Michelle spoke in a soft, husky, seductive voice or every time he even glanced in her direction, into her eyes that were the color of chocolate, the dark variety not the milk.
He needed to get out of here, as he was attracted to Michelle in a big way. He had been ever since he had met briefly several weeks ago. He hadn't been able to stop thinking about her, though he had certainly tried, but his brain was being very rebellious.
He was sure that her father would not approve of the relationship between them, even though he was the one that had indicated where he should sit.
He needed to go before he let his feelings show on his face or in his body language. He had tried not to glance at Michelle very much all through dinner, but every time she spoke in her sexy voice he glanced that way automatically. It was is if he was already tuned to the sound of her voice and he had no idea why. They had barely met after all.
Spencer finished the last course and sat there quietly observing the other two.
"At least think about my father's offer," Michelle said suddenly. "You will be very well-paid for your efforts."
"I'll think about it, but that's all I promise," Spencer said. "I'll think about everything you said, but I'm not sure that this is the right path for me."
What Spencer didn't say was he knew he couldn't hang around Michelle for very long before he did something he was sure he would regret. He might be stubborn and have a will of iron, but he would give himself away sooner later about his sudden, unexpected feelings. Relationships with another that worked in the same place was never a good idea or at least that's what he told himself.
Michelle said nothing but Spencer could tell she was disappointed in his response, but he wasn't sure what she expected. Did she expect that he would jump at the chance to do something that would be very rewarding in the long run? Spencer knew that most people would jump at such an opportunity that was practically being thrown in their laps. Maybe he should just agree wholeheartedly to join in, but he was also to cautious to jump into such a project without at least thinking it through.
"About your earlier comment about being well paid Michelle, while it would be nice, it's not all about money for me. Money to me is a disease, so as long as I have enough for my needs I'm satisfied. In my experience it tends to make people greedy when they have to much of it. Yes, I realize that not everybody is that way, but it happens way to often in my opinion.
"My father, as I said earlier makes plenty as a lawyer, but he was also very stingy about the way he spent his money. He could've sent me to a private school for example and doing so would have hardly put him into financial difficulty, but he wanted me to go to a public school, just because he didn't want to acknowledge I was a genius. He didn't care how bored I was or how much I was bullied and he didn't care that I would do much better in a school with harder courses, where I would be challenged."
"The whole idea that I was smarter than any three people put together and so needed special arrangements needed to be made in order for me to reach my full potential went right over my father's head. I know he loves me in his own way, but he's also stubborn and also bit of a miser when it comes to money.
"I know my mother argued with him on several occasions about me, but he never gave in. I'm not entirely sure what he's going to do with all the money he has, because he certainly never spent it on his family."
"That is so sad," Michelle said sympathetically. "When you have money you should spend at least a little bit of it on the people you love. I bet the holidays like Christmas weren't very fun for you or your siblings."
"Oh, Christmases and birthdays were always great, because mom spent some of his money whether dad wanted her to or not. She did have a credit card that was linked to his checking account with her name on it," Spencer shrugged. "That isn't to say she didn't spend her own money as well, but she certainly didn't make as much as a university professor that my dad did."
"Your father probably would've forgotten about Christmas and birthdays altogether, if your mother wasn't around," Dave said .
"That's very likely," Spencer agreed calmly. "At least he paid the bills out of his account at least until they divorced and that was something anyway."
"So how do you know that wasn't your mother paying the bills?" Dave asked.
"Because my father constantly grumbled about it when it came time to paying bills. He acted like he was going to go broke if he had to pay anymore taxes. I mean what else was there to spend his money on, as he certainly never wasted it on his family. Bills are necessary if you want to maintain your life. The least father could've done was not grumble about it when bills came due. I refuse to ever turn into my father, which is one reason I live such a simple life."
"Spencer don't be ridiculous," Michelle told him her tone exasperated. "It's clear you're a good person, you're kind and compassionate and care about others. I understand your reasons for not wanting too much money, but take my father and me for example. We're not so greedy that we don't give to those in more need then we are. We support several charities and give to the various animal shelters regularly. From what you said about your mother I think you're more like her, and it's clear that she's not as greedy as your father. I hate to say this about a man I've never met, but your father sounds like a rather unhappy person and apparently likes to spread his unhappiness around to others, especially his family. He seems to always want more than he has and hoards it like a dragon on top of his treasure."
"I'll consider what you said, but the one thing I know is that being to well off, just brings it's own brand of trouble," Spencer said finally.
"So nobody has to know how wealthy you are. You aren't the type to brag about your wealth," Dave pointed out simply. "You can continue living your life like you want. Buy books or whatever else you want no matter how much it costs. How much money you have in the bank is private information and nobody else's business."
"I hadn't thought about it that way," Spencer said quietly. "I suppose I should've considered all the pros and cons of being wealthy. You're right by the way, I'm more like my mother then my father and thank goodness for that. I think I was so soured about ever being rich, because of my father's attitude and also the fact I know it's not uncommon, that I just decided I needed enough to live on and to buy a few luxuries to be happy. I was quite young when I made that decision, but because of my memory I never forgot."
"A child doesn't realize that it isn't having plenty of money that makes a person who they are. It's a person's personality, how they were raised and their priorities," Michelle said quietly, Spencer automatically turning his head to look at her as soon as she spoke. "You were certainly very intelligent at that age, but all you knew was that one of the two people who shouldn't grumble about providing for their children did so on a regular basis all throughout your childhood. You knew nothing about anything back then, just that your father seemed to resent his children or at least in having to spend any money on them, Probably even for ordinary things like the dentist or the doctor. Unfortunately, that's not an uncommon trait especially in men."
Spencer said nothing but it was clear that he was thinking.
"I'll show you out, but make sure you call us back as soon as you come to a decision," Dave said calmly, as he rose and escorted Spencer towards the front door.
"I should have made my decision sometime in the next 48 to 72 hours or so," Spencer said, even as the door opened automatically to let him go outside. Dave watched as Spencer got into his old clunker of a car and drove slowly towards the front gate. Soon he was out of sight entirely.
~~~Spencer and Michelle~~~