Chapter 27
Being back at group again felt great. After my meeting with Evangeline, I'd spent the rest of the day planning out the next phase of my recuperation.
I'd decided that having another session at the support group was a great idea, so that was my next plan of action.
Luckily for me, there was one scheduled for the day after I'd spoken to Evangeline.
I owed the community center a lot for always seeming to get me back on track when I felt overwhelmed as hell.
That's why I was planning on giving back.
But I was waiting after the session so I could speak with Claude.
He was more than just the person that led group, he was a part owner of the center itself.
He was half of the entire reason group even existed. And in my opinion, I owed him.
As people were communing after the group session, I moseyed my way over to where Claude was, conversing with one of the new attendees.
I stopped in front of him just as the new person excused themselves to rummage around the snack table full of lukewarm coffee and a variety of pastries. Claude offered me a warm smile as I completed my approach.
“Thayer,” he nodded, sliding his hands in the pockets of his jeans. “I was glad to see you here tonight, especially after hearing about what happened to you.”
It seemed like everyone within my life, no matter how closely related or however substantial, knew about what had happened at the warehouse with the Rhodes twins.
I wasn't upset that everyone knew, it was just a weird thing to be a part of such a sought after headline that had clearly rocked the community.
Now I knew how Bas felt about being a part of the riot at the blood center.
“Yeah, it was a lot.” I admitted gingerly, letting a heavy sigh escape my body. “I figured a session at group couldn't hurt.”
Claude placed a swift pat on my shoulder. “Well I'm glad you're alright.”
I nodded, feeling the sudden nerves envelop me with an anxious noose around my neck.
I'd been planning on doing this since last night but now that the moment was upon me I was suddenly very aware at how wild it was for me to be doing what I was about to do.
I didn't want Claude to think anything negative of me.
But I quickly pushed that feeling aside.
Claude, along with the rest of group, knew the most intricate details about me.
If they were going to start judging me now, they had a lot less reason to than when I'd first come through the doors of the community center.
“Listen,” I began, my voice already shaking with the present nerves. “I had another reason for coming to group today, and that's to talk to you personally."
"Oh?" Nothing within his tone indicated that he was feeling one way or the other, just genuinely curious about the set up I'd initiated.
“You're one of the co-owners of the center, right?”
“That's right.” Claude beamed, tilting his head inquisitively. “Why do you ask?”
I cleared my throat. “This center has given me my sense of self back. That's not something I could ever put a price on, but I've been doing some thinking lately and I'd like to give back.”
Reaching into the pocket of my denim jeans, I pulled out the already filled out check that had been burning a whole in my pocket. Even when I presented the check for Claude to grab, he kept eyeing me with confusion, his eyes rocking back and forth between the check and my dark eyes.
Wordlessly, Claude pressed the check into his palm and glanced over the amount. His comforting eyes widened in astonishment, once again teetering from the minuscule piece of paper that now held so much weight.
“Thayer, I can't accept this.”
“You can.” I nodded. “I know it's not as much as the center may need, but—”
“Not much?” He lowered his voice and leaned closer to me. “This is two-hundred thousand dollars!”
I smiled sheepishly, shrugging my shoulders. “I’ve come into some money recently and I want to give back to the center.”
Claude's surprise swiftly turned to something more sinister and suspecting. “This isn't hush money from the Rhodes family, is it?”
“What? Of course not!”
Honestly, it wasn't that crazy of an idea for him to voice.
From what I'd learned about the Rhodes family from my brother, their reach knew no bounds and their desire to be above the law couldn't be satiated.
I was still waiting to hear from Troian in regards to Madison.
Apparently, having her younger sister arrested for the petrylle kidnappings and her twin sisters fleeing was a combination that was keeping her busy.
Focusing my efforts back on Claude, I shook my head.
“This is from me.” I didn’t feel the need to verify that it had actually come from Troian, who in turn had acquired it from the Rhodes family via a different than normal channel.
“Use it however you need to, as long as it goes back into the center.” When I saw Claude about to recoil from the generous gesture again, I reached out and folded his hand over the check.
“I won't take no for an answer, Claude.”
His features softened like butter left out on the kitchen counter, accepting the magnanimity I'd forced upon him.
“Thank you,” Claude finally nodded. “This will help a lot. We've been looking to expand the center and buy the space next door to make it happen. We might even be able to hire another counselor if there's any left.”
I beamed proudly. “Sounds absolutely wonderful.”
“You just happened upon this money?”
I shook my head. “Troian paid me back for the money he stole from me those years ago.” Claude had heard me rant and rave ad nauseam about the life insurance money we'd both been given once our parents had died that Troian had taken from me, so it was nice to not have to clarify and go into the nitty gritty of all the details again.
“And I've spent the past couple days trying to figure out what I wanted to do with it.”
“I’m assuming this isn't all of it.” He said, holding up the check with a lazy laugh. “What else are you planning?”
"Oh, this and that." I smiled sheepishly, clapping him on the shoulder, mirroring his earlier action. “I’m gonna head out. I have a call to make.”
“Well thank you, Thayer.” He gestured the check between us. “Seriously, thank you.”
“Thank you for putting up with me all these years.” I smiled back.
Claude beamed back, waving a hand at me like it was nothing to sit and listen to me over the years, but the truth was it was everything to me.
When Troian had first come back to Piper and I'd met Qwill, I'd been so messed up emotionally.
Group had helped me find my way back to myself.
They needed the money more than I did and I was happy to help.
As I stepped outside the community center and took in the clear sky and slight breeze of the day, I took a quick second to close my eyes and breathe in the fresh air.
I was proud of myself for being able to do the things I'd put my mind to since I’d taken the time to assess what I wanted and what I wanted to do with the money.
It felt like I was back in control of my life, especially after being taken by the Rhodes twins and had my entire autonomy shaken.
I felt back in the driver seat and it made me feel powerful.
Opening my eyes, I whipped out my phone from my jeans and dialed the number I saved this morning before heading to the community center. I had one more piece of business to attend to before I could take a break and prepare for my return to the stage in a couple days.
The number rang exactly three times before a saccharine voice greeted me.
“Thank you for calling Gossamer Apartments, this is Ashley. How can I help you?”
“Hey, Ashley. This is Thayer Nguyen from Apartment 3B.”
“Oh, hello, Mr. Nguyen. What can I do for you?”
“Is Mr. Sheffield in today?” Just mentioning the landlord's name made my heart quicken as I thought about the last phase of my plan.
“He is.” Ashley said, curiosity colored throughout her tone.
“Great, is he free for a meeting this afternoon?”