Davenport Estate

Chapter One

           "We should grab a breakfast bagel from Einstein Brother's Bagels before work", Susan suggested.

"That is an awesome idea girl!" Donovan agreed.

"I know you have been watching your carbs and the waistline of yours but this girl is so hungry she is about to eat you!" Susan teased jabbing him in the ribs.

After ordering their sandwiches they continued their way crossing two streets over to 21st Avenue towards Smith Brother's Brokerage Firm. The Smith Brother's was the largest brokerage firm in Boston and had been around for over 60 years, that was one of the biggest reasons donovan chose to work for them. He had spent the last ten years climbing the cooperate ranks and building himself a nice little nest egg. Even being a published author, he was nowhere near rich and like millions of other folks he had to keep his day job. The royalties from the sales of his books had been decent and the nest egg he had been building at least had the promise of a nice retirement, or so the thought.

As they approached the building Susan pointed out a notice plastered to the front door. They both read in silence as a look of sheer horror crossed Donovan's face. The sign read: This company has been shut down by the IRS and is no longer in business. There was a number listed below to call for further information. Pulling his cell phone from his pocket Donovan franticly dialed the number listed on the bulletin. Much to his dismay and disbelieve he was informed Smith Brother's Brokerage Firm had been shut down for illegal business practices and anybody who had business dealings with them could file a federal complaint. Unfortunately, those like Donovan whom worked for the company had not only lost their jobs but everything; including their retirement accounts.

"What in the gay hell is this? Everything I have worked for in the last ten years is gone! It's just gone!" Donovan gasped.

"Oh, my God Donovan, seriously?" Susan whispered giving her friend a huge hug.

"What the hell am I going to do now Susan? I just spent the last of my cash advance on the next book finalizing my divorce, and now I have no retirement to even fall back on," he cried. A huge lump rose in his throat. He felt sick to his stomach, and his head began to throb unmercifully. Susan was at a loss for words but the sympathetic look in her eyes told Donovan at least he still had her friendship; something that was more valuable to him than any amount of money.

The two walked on in silence hand in hand as Donovan's mind raced with all kinds of horrible scenarios of what was yet to come. He had barely enough money in his account to pay this month's bills, but was he to do after that? With the failing economy jobs were scarce, especially ones like the one he just lost. He and his family were not on speaking terms and had not been since he came out of the closet 12 years ago; they had completely disowned him like they did his great aunt. They claimed she was crazy and forbid Donovan to have any more to do with her. He felt a twinge of guilt just thinking about it because he could have reconnected with her since and had not; how he missed that woman.

He could not and would not call his ex-husband for help. That man hardly worked at all up until the divorce and he had no choice but to finally get off his dead ass and go to work. To make matters work Donovan had spent most of his money fighting to maintain as much of the royalties his book sales had made; which was not much to begin with. Donovan's world just came crashing down around his feet and his prospects for the future were looking anything but promising.

It was early March and the rain had been steadily falling for several days now; which just added to the mood Donovan had found himself in. His mood was dark and dreary, much like how his future was looking day by day. Donovan spent most of his morning sipping on coffee while shifting his attention from the final divorce papers resting on the coffee table waiting for his signature and the endless raindrops rolling down the windows in his front room.