Fractured Bonds

8 -Jacob (Part Two)

Contd From Three Years Ago.

Mike, Emma, and I are in a hotel conference room waiting for Mrs. Williams and her lawyer when he drops the bomb about how he's ready to pay that woman a million dollars. It isn't a small amount in any way. I get up from my chair and try not to go ballistic from what I've just learned.

I could feel my blood boiling as I exploded in anger. "A million dollars out of your own pocket? Mikey, are you insane? Did you think, even for a second, that our parents and I would allow that woman to take your hard-earned money? Especially if she's unstable? Who knows what she'll do next? For all we know, she might get herself killed while 'unearthing government secrets'." Both Mike and Emma stare at me in shock. I fucked up. "Look Mike, all I'm saying is" I continue, "I don't think she deserves your money."

"Whether she deserves it or not doesn't matter, I was the one who operated on her husband, who then died. I have to do something, and if that something is apologising and giving her a million dollars, I will do that. I can't lose my license, Jake." Mike is calm and that irritates me more because the calmer he is in a situation, the more stubborn he'll be.

"Mikey, you can't give that woman money out of your own pocket. I don't care what you think. I'm calling Mom and letting her know about this." I pull out my phone and dial Mom. It might seem childish to call her about this, but I can't let Mike pay her with his hard-earned money. Just a few weeks ago, Mike told me he planned to donate it to medical volunteer camps with outdated equipment.

"Jake? What's going on?" Mom answers the phone, concern evident in her voice. I quickly fill her in on what Mike just said while he stares at me, and Emma fiddles with her pen.

I put the call on speaker while Mom tries to convince Mike not to give the woman his hard-earned money. "Mike, listen to me," Mom says gently but firmly. "You need to think this through. Giving her that much money won't solve anything. It might even make things worse."

Just then, Dad barges into the conversation, clearly having been listening in. "Kathleen, let me say something to him," he interrupts. "Mikey, you want to give her your money, right? I have an idea. Since you still haven't used the money from your trust fund for anything, you can use that."

Dad's idea is even more ridiculous than Mike's, but it's something for now because there's no other way to convince Mike to drop his plan. I can hear the frustration in Mom's voice as she tries to keep her composure. "That's not a solution, and you know it," she says, exasperated. "We need to find a way to handle this without throwing money at the problem."

"Fine. I'll think about where I'll get the money from. But the amount won't change, except if she asks for more." Mike is finally dissuaded.

I thank Mom and Dad for coaxing Mike and hang up as Mom tells me to keep her updated on the proceedings of this negotiation.

"Mike, don't offer a specific amount of money before you find out what she actually wants. Obviously, you can't bring her husband back, but you get what I mean, right?" Mike nods, and just as we finish talking, the door to the room opens, revealing Mrs. Williams and her lawyer.

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