A Fine Line

The Most Sutible Boy In Town

Austin entered the office where Mr. Lassiter sat at his desk. The room was different from the rest of the house. His father's office was darkly set. Almost blue black wallpaper with matching carpet and darkly stained molding. Austin always wondered if it was an intimidation tactic, this room.

Mr. Lassiter wasn't alone. Another man, an old man, sat at the desk, mirror by his father. It took a moment for Austin to recognize him.

"Mr. Lyman?" Austin asked as he shut the door behind him. Both men looked up at him.

Mr. Lyman looked much like his daughter. Blonde hair that now greyed. Tall and skinny. Wearing an expensive looking suit and top hat, that was now set in his lap.

"Austin! There you are. Good, now we can get started." Mr. Lassiter said in his best business voice. The one he used when he was securing new investors. Overly cheerful and just a little bit too loud.

"Here I am. But if you don't mind me asking, what exactly are we getting started on?" Ausitn asked wearily. He sat down in one of the chairs in front of the desk.

The old men looked at Austin as if he'd just asked about the most exciting thing in the world. Sort of like when someone announes the birth of a child. They seemed as if they were about to jump out of their seats. Austin matched their unsettling excitement with an expectant gaze.

"My son, I have summoned you here today to discuss your future. And as Mr. Lyman knows, you've been...indisposed. Which has left a rather large gap in our financials. Therefore, I took it upon myself, as your father, to plan it for you. In the hope that you'd survive this fever."

Austin's face paled. He didn't like where this was going. Somehow he'd managed, "Okay..."

"Which is why Mr. Lyman is joining us today. In order to discuss these plans. The first being that you marry his daughter, Jane."

Austin's stomach dropped. His mouth falling to a frown.

"Look at him. The boy's so excited he's gone speechless." Mr. Lassiter beamed. "And you'd needn't worry about Jane's say in all of this. This matter was brought up to her and she agreed wholeheartedly."

And as Austin continued to say nothing in an attempt not to vomit, Mr. Lyman said, "My daughter is going to be a perfect wife to you. She is talented in many styles of cooking. She keeps our home perfectly clean. She's maternal and a has a wonderful singing voice. And your father has told me all about the many cases you've won in the last year. It's most remarkable what you've been able to accomplish in your young life. Which is why you are the most suitable boy in town for my daughter."

Mr. Lassiter nodded in agreeemnt.

His heartbeat sped up, sweat feeling heavy against his forehead. He felt dizzy. Nothing about this was right. And Austin had never won a case in his life. He wasn't even a lawyer. Father never let him anywhere near his clients.

But before he could even get a word in, Mr. Lassiter continued. "Of course after your wedding, you can't be living at home with your new bride. I've had a contractor ordered. And he'll start construction on your home as soon as a wedding date is set. And I've already purchased the lot next door. So everything is secured on that front. Furthermore, upon your marriage, I'll be rewriting my will. This revision will include the hefty sum of five-thousand dollars, which will be added to your inheritance." The old man's excited expression remained steady but he could see it in his eyes that he was not asking. It was the same eyes he had whenever he was about to threaten Austin with something. "So as you can see, everything has been prepared for you, seeing at that you were unable to do it yourself. All you have to do is set the date."