Chapter 2
Gabe
“No. Absolutely not,” I said and glared at my daughter.
“Come on, Dad. She needs a place to stay. Your place is enormous. Why can’t you help my friend?” Sarah asked.
“Because she’s a college student, some woman I don’t know. I don’t feel comfortable having her in my place.”
Sarah had come over to my penthouse, saying she hadn’t seen me in a few weeks and missed me.
I was happy to see my daughter no matter the reason.
We had been close when she was younger but since she got involved in her MBA program and moved in with her boyfriend we had seen less and less of each other.
I had thought we would have a nice meal and catch up.
I hadn’t known she was going to bulldoze me with an idea that was too outrageous to consider.
“Really? You don’t feel comfortable having a woman in your place? Come on! You bring a different one home every night. I bet you wouldn’t even notice the difference,” Sarah said.
“Now, Sarah. We discussed this. My personal life is of no concern to you.”
“It is if I think you’re whoring around. You know I don’t like it. You’re better than that. You’re better than the woman you hang out with.”
“One has nothing to do with the other,” I said and glared at her.
“It does. You’re worried about having Elle, who is a smart, self-sufficient, independent woman in your place, but you had no problem having Trixie stay over. Seriously, I can’t believe you slept with a woman named Trixie.” Sarah glared at me.
“Having a woman over for a romantic evening is not the same as having some random woman in my place for an extended time without supervision,” I countered
“She isn’t three. She isn’t going to burn the place down, or have some crazy party. She needs a place to stay so she can study. She was living with her parents but the commute is killing her.”
“Then she should have thought about that before she decided to go to a college so far away from home. It isn’t my job to fix the problems of your friends. I’m sorry she’s in such a predicament but making my place a refuge for some wayward woman isn’t the answer.”
“She isn’t a wayward woman. Who even uses that term?
” Sarah asked. “She’s one of the smartest, kindest people I’ve ever known.
She has helped me out countless times and never asked for anything in return.
You have an apartment you hardly use and she needs a place to stay.
This is a chance for me to return all the great things she has done for me. ”
“She wasn’t the one who helped you cheat on that test, is she?”
Sarah glared at me. “No, and I didn’t cheat on the test. The professor left the answers on his desk.
He even agreed that we were just taking advantage of an opportunity.
He considered it a great learning experience for what it was like in the real world.
But to answer your question, no, Ella was not a part of that.
She didn’t want to be. She has better morals than me. ”
“I’m glad to hear she has been such an excellent influence on you. Why didn’t she stop you from cheating to begin with?” I countered.
“Because it wasn’t her place. And also, I didn’t tell her because I knew she wouldn’t do it. I told you, she’s a better person than me. She was the one who opened my eyes about Rick and helped me to meet Steve,” Sarah said.
“She did?” This was a recent and encouraging development. I hated Sarah’s last boyfriend. He had no drive or desire to do anything with his life. I was worried he was going to lead Sarah down the same path.
I hadn’t known exactly what had changed but Sarah went from thinking that Rick was the greatest man in the world to breaking up with him.
She soon got together with Steve who was perfect for her.
She had done a complete turnaround in her life since they got together.
She was doing phenomenal with her studies and I couldn’t be prouder of her.
I had no idea that her friend Elle had shown the error in her ways.
“Yes. She helped me not only with school but with the guys in my life. She even told me that Tom wasn’t a good friend to have, and she was right.”
“I warned you about Tom years ago,” I said.
“And I didn’t want to listen. But I listened to her.
She has done so much for me. This program means the world to her.
She’s getting behind because of her living situation.
I offered to have her stay with me and Steve, but she refused.
She’s been couch surfing for weeks, even sleeping in the library.
She contemplated buying a beat-up car just so she could sleep in it.
“I know this is a lot to ask. But Elle means a lot to me. She has done so much for me. Let me do this for her,” Sarah pleaded at me.
“By offering my place like some boujee hostel?” I asked.
“The place is nice but it isn’t the Ritz,” Sarah countered.
“If she means so much to you, then have her stay at the Ritz.”
“She needs stability. She needs a place to spread her books out and study. She needs to not worry about being in some random place and feeling uncomfortable. Plus, aren’t you going to be leaving town soon?
If she’s here, she can watch the place for you.
Take in the mail, make sure there isn’t a water leak or any other issues.
It could be a win-win for all,” Sarah said.
“I can see they’re teaching you negotiation tactics,” I said and smiled at her.
“Yes. See how much I have learned, and I owe it to Elle. You wanted me to get my life in order. I have and it’s because of her. The least you could do is give her a place to stay.”
“No, the least I could do is thank her when I see her at your graduation. Letting her stay seems a little above and beyond, don’t you think?”
“Actually, no I don’t. She only needs a place for a few weeks, a month at the most. She’s hoping to get some financial support soon.
When she does, she’s going to look for a roommate or see if she can find some cheap housing somewhere.
Though the only place she can find cheap housing, she probably shouldn’t be walking back alone at night.
“Just think, Dad. You could be saving a woman’s life by having her stay with you.”
“Wow, now you’re laying it on thick.” I shook my head at my daughter.
“How about this, Dad? It would mean a lot to me if you did this. I would consider it a personal favor,” Sarah said.
“A personal favor? Didn’t your professors tell you to never offer that up during negotiations?” I teased.
“Yes, but they also told me to know when you need to give everything you have in order to close a deal that you know is important or lucrative.”
“Lucrative?” I asked.
“Elle needs some help. I want to give it to her. I’m not saying that she’ll owe me but I’m sure she’ll never forget my kindness. I might want to cash in on that later in life. Who knows? I figure it’s better to have her as a friend than not. Especially when it’s such a simple thing for me to do.”
“You mean you don’t have to do anything? I have to do all the work,” I countered.
“Well, yes, but I will owe you,” Sarah said in a sing-sing voice. “Elle is a great person. I think when you get to know her, you’ll see it too. She won’t be a bother. I bet she will even make this place better. You’ll hardly know she’s here.”
“Is she going to make the place better or will I hardly know she’s here? Which one is it?” I asked.
“Both. She’ll make the place better in little ways, and you won’t even know because you won’t see her. She’s at school all the time or she’ll be in her room studying. She just needs a place to crash. Please, Dad. Will you help her out?” Sarah asked.
She smiled at me and gave me a slight pout.
It was the same pout she used to give me when she was younger.
I hadn’t been able to resist it then and I couldn’t now.
I had a feeling this was going to be a mistake but I nodded and said, “Fine. She can move in. But only for a few weeks, a month at the most.”
Sarah threw her arms around me and said, “Thank you, Dad. You’re the best.” She bounced away from me and said, “I’m going to tell Elle right now.”
“You’re welcome sweetheart,” I called after her. I closed my eyes and let out a deep breath. I hoped I wouldn’t come to regret doing it but I couldn’t back out now.