Read Online From Riches to Rags by Mairsile Leabhair - Free Book Online Page B

happiness and Melinda was stone cold sober. It was an intoxicating feeling, sitting next to her after she gave me such a heartwarming surprise. Had I been wrong about her?
    “Come on, let’s get you two home.”
    Melinda opened the passenger door and Blackie and I slid into the luxurious leather seat. Once we were on the road, Blackie curled up in my arms and purred herself to sleep.
    “Melinda, how did you know about my kitten?’
    “Oh, uh‒”
    “The truth, please.”
    “I sort of bribed your landlord for your apartment number, and then I ran into your neighbor who told me all about you giving her your kitten. Why would you do that?”
    “Because I knew first hand, how lonely Ms. Shelby was without her companion. No one should have to live with that kind of loneliness.”
    “Isn’t that what you were willing to do to help her?”
    “Yes, I was, because her needs were more important. It took me a very long time to learn that lesson, and even now, have a hard time with it.”
    “Please, forgive me if what I’m about to say is insulting, but it doesn’t look to me like you have a whole hell of a lot to spare, what about your needs?”
    “You’re not hearing what I’m saying. I am trying to pay it forward. I am trying to make amends, which means I have to let go of my egotistical, narcissistic, self-absorbed ways.”
    “You do realize those three words mean the same thing, right?”
    I smiled at her and replied, “Yes, but I wanted to make sure I picked a word you might recognize.”
    “Snap. So tell me, what are you trying to make amends for?”
    I marveled at how she had brought it around to my secret again. She’s clever, I’ll give her that. And I have to admit, I am thankful for her kindness, but I’m still not prepared to let her in, not until I know she’s not playing some kind of sick game with my emotions. She bribed my landlord? She is playing games with me!
    “Wait just a damn minute. You bribed my landlord?” I stroked my fingers over my kitten, shaking my head in disgust.
    “How else was I going to find out what apartment you lived in?”
    “The fact that you can’t see how wrong that was, Melinda, bothers me deeply. Not only was it an invasion of my privacy, but it is just another example of your reputation, and all I know about you is your reputation. And Melinda, I’m afraid of your reputation.”
    “Afraid? Why on earth would you be afraid of little old me? I don’t understand. You’re sitting beside me now, and you’re not afraid. In fact, you’re in charge.”
    “The only reason you might think that I’m in charge is because you want something from me that I won’t give you. I don’t like that, and I don’t like that you bribed my landlord.”
    We sat in silence until Melinda pulled the car over to the curb in front of my apartment. Before I got out, I said, “But you know what, Melinda, it doesn’t matter anyway. I’m grateful for the kindness you showed regarding my kitten, but I’m dismayed at how you pulled it off. My father’s name is Carl Livingston. Look him up in the Fortune 500, and then maybe you’ll have your answers, understand why I can’t go back to that life again, and why we can’t be friends.”
     
     
     

 
    Chapter Seven
     
    Repercussions ‒ Melinda aka Blackie Blackstone, Frankie Bonner and Meg Bumgartner
     
    I laid in bed most of the night thinking about how I had really fucked it up with Chris. Any advance that I may have made with her has been stripped away, all because I did what I have always done, I paid someone for a favor. Now I have to start all over again and that’s going to be difficult because Chris is really pissed at me right now. I’d be surprised if she ever spoke to me again. I asked myself if it was worth it, and was surprised at my answer. Yes! What fascinated me most about Chris was her integrity. It could not be impugned, no matter how rich a person was, or how grateful she was to have her kitten back.
    So, I