Read Online This Is How It Happened by Jo Barrett - Free Book Online Page B

up.
    “But you’re not here to talk about Mr. Jack Daniels, I can see that,” Henry says. He folds his hands underneath his chin.
    I take a deep breath. “Carlton and I have a new business idea. Organics 4 Kids. It’s a healthy school lunch program. He’s gotten his father and a bunch of investors together. They’re planning to invest three million dollars in start-up money. The meeting is next week. I didn’t expect it to happen so quickly, Henry. So, things are already off the ground and running.”
    Henry whistles through his teeth. “Woo-wee. Must be some phenomenal business plan,” he says. “If they’re making that kind of financial commitment.”
    I hold up my thick black binder. “I thought you might like to see it,” I say, plopping it down on his desk.
    He adjusts his bifocals and peers down the end of his nose. I wait as he flips through the pages, slowly. Sopping up each word. Taking it all in. The clock ticks away. Fifteen minutes go by. Then twenty.
    Finally, Henry looks at me over the top of his glasses. “You’re a piece of work, Madeline Piatro,” he says, shaking his head.
    “Thanks Henry. That means a lot.”
    He bites his bottom lip and I can see his mind whirling. He’s devising something. “Are you sure you want to give this away to Carlton’s dad and all his cronies? I mean, once they invest their money, Maddy, you won’t be in control. You’ll just be a hired gun. Like a consultant. And the company will belong to them.”
    “Carlton and I talked about that. We’re both going to protect our interests.”
    “Well of course Carlton will be protected. Daddy Warbucks will make sure of that. But what about you?”
    I twirl the Juliet ring on my finger. Look down at it. Remember the engraving. “Forever, my Juliet,” it reads.
    I look up at Henry and smile. “Carlton and I are in this together,” I say. “And plus, a lot of this was his idea.”
    Henry shoots me a look. A real zinger. “Sure,” he says, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “You can use that line on other folks, but I know My Madeline.” He slaps my notebook down on his desk. “And this has her name written all over it. Christ, it’s brilliant, kiddo! Why don’t you let me set up a few meetings on my end? I know some angel investors who may step up to the plate. I mean, it probably won’t be three million dollars, but it’ll be something.”
    “That’s a great backup plan, Henry. If this meeting doesn’t work out. You know, Carlton’s dad and his investors could always say no.”
    “They’re not gonna say no to this,” Henry says. “By the way, who is Carlton’s old man? He must be a man of consequence if he can arrange this kind of cash.”
    “Forest Connors. Heard of him?”
    Henry smacks his palms on the desk. Whap!
    I jump in my chair.
    “Heard of him? Jeez Louise, Maddy! What do you think? I was born yesterday?”
    I watch Henry as his face reddens from exertion. He’s really getting riled up.
    “I can’t believe you never told me Carlton’s father was Forest Connors!”
    “I didn’t think—”
    “Forest Connors would steal from his own mother if it helped his bottom line,” Henry informs me, crossing his arms over his chest.
    “Wow, Henry. So you have no strong feelings whatsoever,” I say.
    Henry is a little dramatic sometimes. And stubborn as a bull. He doesn’t like a lot of people. “I’m not a people person, Maddy,” he always says. To which I reply, “That’s odd considering you own a p.r. firm .” Which gets him every time.
    So this doesn’t surprise me.
    “What did Forest Connors ever do to you, Henry?” I ask.
    Henry’s face is red and blustery now.
    Uh-oh. Here comes the rant.
    “Listen up, Maddy. Forest Connors was a client of mine. A long, long time ago. We were both young bucks. Bull-headed back then. I was running my own one-man show and I was happy for the business. So I gave him a great deal on my usual hourly rate. In the end, he ditched on my bill.