The apartment was dark when she arrived, which was odd since he always forgot and left one or two lights on. And when she opened the door, she discovered that those lights probably were left on, somewhere, but as they were no longer in the apartment she would no longer be responsible for turning them off. In fact, nothing remained in the apartment. Well, he had left the girls their beds. And of course, there was the stack of bills he hadn’t paid before bolting, and an empty bank account they had shared.
Through it all, she refused to let the girls see how scared she was. She called her family and Amy. Amy rushed right over with a hastily prepared care package full of everything a girl needs to cope in a situation like this, hence her only appliance. And her parents wired her what little money they could afford to. She had gone to a jewelry store on her lunch break to sell her wedding set. She only received about half of what they had paid for it. And so with a few thousand dollars, two kids and a rent that ate up over half her paycheck, she started this new life.
Thankfully, she had never been materialistic. She didn’t miss the television, turning instead to library books and games. It was amazing how many hours of fun could be had with a two-dollar deck of cards. Even the kids didn’t notice when it took her several months to replace the television, or that the one she had purchased at the pawnshop was significantly smaller and quite possibly “hot.” It was a concession she had to make. And thankfully, her vehicle was an SUV. That always helped when she would be driving somewhere and found something they could use. That was where the Queen Anne chair had been discovered, and the television stand. And soon she found that if she just picked up anything that fit and drove to the flea markets on the weekends, she could eke out a living. It was unbelievable what people would throw out. She’d found exercise equipment, strollers, changing tables, high chairs, couches, television trays, baskets, and everything imaginable. Hannah would take a little time to clean these items up and earn an extra hundred bucks or so each weekend. She even had the girls helping her after telling them they were treasure hunting. She had learned long ago that she could survive anything with the proper attitude.
Most importantly, as challenging as life had been recently, Hannah was happy. She loved seeing that she could make it on her own. (Not entirely on her own, since her mother sent a weekly care package of whatever items she had purchased buy one, get one free. And Hannah still hadn’t found anyone to take those dog biscuits off her hands.) Only now she couldn’t find a way to get over the next hurdle. When her lease came due, her rent would increase by over a hundred dollars. She had been scrimping and saving as much as possible. She never knew when the kids would be sick, or the vehicle would break down, or she’d lose her job. She was merely a secretary, a damned good one, but still a secretary at that. And if her marriage had taught her anything, it was that it could always get worse.
Taking a deep breath, she dialed the phone. “So, Amy?” She began tentatively. “Where should I place this ad?”
They discussed the numerous Charlotte publications. And unfortunately, the ones most likely to be read by businessmen did not contain a personals section. “So, now what?” She asked numbly. She couldn’t believe that she was doing this.
“Creative Loafing?” Amy suggested. “They have an extensive personals section. And you are going to interview the men first, right? You aren’t just going to snatch up the first one to show an interest, right?” She sounded worried, and it wasn’t helping.
“Of course,” Hannah said quickly. “Listen, I have to go. I might just as well get the ad in this week’s edition and make my humiliation complete.”
She hung up and paced for a few minutes, taking deep calming breaths intended to relax her. It didn’t work. She finally gave up and sank down on the chair to dial. Before she had a chance to reconsider, the call was received and a voice she barely recognized as her own spoke a phrase that was destined to change her life. “I’d like to place an ad, please.”
“It’s nearly April,” his mother announced.
“Yes, mother,” he said. “I have a calendar.” He frowned. He knew only too well where this was going. In a conversation that began eerily similar to this one, he wound up announcing he would marry India.
“You haven’t even dated since she left you over a year ago.” She stirred her tea, the clanging declaring her frustration. “I want grandchildren.”
“So, I’ve heard. In fact it was that declaration nearly six years ago that inspired my marriage, the dissolution of which has kept me more than busy this past year and soured me to the institution altogether.”
“You are my only hope,” she mourned. “I mean now that Bitty has announced…” She glanced around the room to ensure the staff was out of ear shot and lowered her head and her voice, “…she’s a lesbian, I don’t expect I’ll be getting any from her.” She sniffled. “And your father…” Knowing what was coming, Gavin raised his eyes heavenward. “…God rest his soul; will never get to enjoy the honor of being a grandparent. I don’t suppose I will either.” She dabbed at her eyes with her linen napkin.
Gavin stared at her a moment with a wry look on his face, folded the newspaper and then abruptly began clapping. “Bravo, Mother, that performance was worthy of an Oscar. Now if you’ll excuse me I have to get to the office.” He turned to leave the room when a thought occurred to him. “By the way, when are you returning to Fort Meyers?”
She blinked. He saw it and smiled. “I just wanted to be here to help you through this difficult time.”
“By giving me a difficult time,” he mumbled under his breath. “I’ll be home late,” he said as he departed. He knew that in less than a week he would be divorced. And while he looked forward to the end of his marriage, the end of this painful year, he was afraid of what might happen in court. This state was known to split any assets acquired during the marriage equally. And if India was able to make a case that suggested she had been forced to give up her dreams to support him in his, he could very well stand to lose a great deal. North Carolina also had another law that was of very little comfort, since he couldn’t use it without creating a scandal that would rock his mother’s world. He would never be able to sue his sister for alienation of affection. He sighed as he exited his Lake Norman estate and made the lengthy commute to his office in uptown Charlotte.
Once he was able to enjoy the privacy of his vehicle, he dialed his lawyer. He recognized her voice as soon as she answered. “So, how do you think it went?” He asked in a feeble attempt at humor.
“You need to lose the attitude before we get to court,” Ms. Pendergast warned. “You hired me for more than my gender. Take my advice.”
“You haven’t given any,” he said quietly.
She growled. “I wasn’t finished.” Sighing, she continued. “Get a hobby. Take up fishing, or hunting, or any other sport that will allow you an outlet for this slow burning rage.” She paused for a reaction, but since he offered none she decided to pound her point home. “You need to channel all this hostility into something productive, stop carrying it around with you. The sooner the better.”
Gavin pondered a moment, trying to imagine what might peak his interest. Clearing her throat, Ms. Pendergast delicately reminded him that she was still on the line. “I’ll take it under advisement,” he said sincerely. And without awaiting her response, he snapped his phone shut.
“I saw it!” Amy squealed several days later. “I grabbed a copy at the mailboxes when I checked my mail this afternoon. It’s in there. Has anyone called yet?” She was breathless in anticipation, and due to her proclivity to say so much so quickly.
Hannah sighed. She had seen it as well and knew there was no turning back now. Her four-year-old twins Aurora, Rory for short, and Zoe would be graduating from preschool the first week of June and after that, she would be in a bind. She had to find childcare, figure out how to pay for it, and finance a move. She had tried to find a cheaper apartment, but Brett had so effectively ruined her financially that she couldn’t pass the credit check necessary to get in to them. She reminded herself that this plan, as hair-brained as it might seem, could solve all of her problems and she would make the best of it.
“No,” Hannah replied. “No one has called yet.” She felt slightly disappointed, but she didn’t really expect to be picked up the first day.
Just after eight, thirty minutes after her children were tucked in to bed for the night, and a solid hour before she would be able to relax herself, the phone rang. She took a deep breath and answered.
“I’m calling about the ad in the paper,” a warm male voice began nervously.
“Yes?” Hannah said, feeling suddenly shy. This was worse than a job interview and immensely more important.
“Are you the woman who placed the personal?” He was full of questions but offered nothing in return.
She sighed. “Actually, I am.” She didn’t know whether this was going to be some crank calling to chastise her for her audacity, or a candidate for the role of her savior.
“Well, I guess I’m calling for more information,” he said. “When can we meet?”
It happened that quickly. The next thing she knew, she had scheduled a meeting over drinks the next evening. “It’s ladies night,” he explained. “You pick the place.” And her mind had reeled. She had given this absolutely no thought. It couldn’t be any of the places Brett was known to frequent. And unfortunately, that single criteria limited her greatly. In the end she had settled on The Graduate on 51. It was one of those dying bars that most nights was very quiet save for the crowd of regulars gathered around the pool tables.
Everything fell into place. Over the course of the evening, she had managed to schedule a total of four…meetings. The first, who was actually the third to call, was meeting her at
5:30 for drinks. Hannah figured she could split an appetizer with each man and over the four courses it would be the equivalent of a meal. The second, her first caller, would begin at seven. The second caller had the eight-thirty meeting time, and finally, the man who called at ten would be meeting her at ten. Whew.
Then, there was the issue of finding a sitter. Once Amy knew of Hannah’s plans, she volunteered to leave work early to be there by five to stay with the twins. And all she wanted in return was…details. That seemed a small price to pay, so Hannah readily agreed.
After reminding herself repeatedly that this was a business arrangement and not a date, she had carefully chosen her wardrobe. Hannah wore black pants and a pink scoop neck blouse. She dressed up the outfit with conservative applications of jewelry and makeup, a mere dusting of powder and a thin coat of lip-gloss. First impressions were everything, she repeated to herself.
Hannah parked under the light pole closest to the bar, locked her vehicle, and marched to the entrance. She found a booth against the far wall that allowed her an unobstructed view of the door. And with that, she sat, glanced at her watch, and waited for her first…interview.
At nine-thirty last night Gavin had sat restlessly in his study, mulling over his lawyer’s advice. He had hobbies. He had lots of hobbies. He just couldn’t think of one right now. He sighed. Maybe Ms. Pendergast had a point. The problem was that he couldn’t focus on anything but sweet revenge right now. It was clear that he couldn’t reap the justice he needed from
India, but maybe… Ugh. No good. How could he ever find an adequate replacement for the real woman deserving his wrath?
He moved a file and discovered a newspaper his mother had left on his desk with a note. It was the Creative Loafing that had just been distributed that day. The post-it read, “Why not?” And then in bigger letters, “Please!” Gavin sighed loudly this time. But then one of the ads caught his eye. He was intrigued. A smile spread across his face. This could work out nicely.
By ten fifteen he had called the number and initiated a meeting that would change the course of his life forever. Satisfied, he leaned back in his chair and savored his brandy while staring into the fire crackling on the other side of the room. And over and over, one thought repeated in his head. What kind of woman places an ad for a sugar daddy?
Well, he was about to find out. Though his appointment wasn’t for hours, he had decided to go there directly from work. It would give him an opportunity to scope out the bar, have a drink, and grab a bite of something to eat. Gavin knew his error immediately. He was extremely overdressed. Everyone else there was in jeans and tshirts, or the women wore typical club wear.
In fact only one person stood out. The woman sat in a booth wearing what he would describe as business casual. He grimaced. Very conservative. She was struggling to appear calm and collected, but was fidgeting every so often and glancing at her watch. Gavin studied her over his scotch. The longer he watched, the more convinced he was that this was his date.