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fabrication. He was a
fabrication. I was a fabrication even though I don’t really want to
admit it.
    Are we worth another shot? Will it be worth
it to me to find out? To risk having my heart broken again? Because
what he’s asking me to do, I can’t do it half-assed. I’ll have to
give it my all.
    I take a deep breath. I suppose I’ll never
know unless I try. I can’t believe I’m saying this. “Give me a few
days to think about it.”
    My heart swells in my chest, but it’s not
full. It’s nothing but a huge hollow cave where the anger used to
be. What should I fill it with? Should I really agree to this? I
have to think about it. I have to discuss it with Anne. She’ll say
hell-no! But she hasn’t been here to see the man change. And has he
changed?
     
     
     
     
     
     
    5
     
     
    The next day is Tuesday, and since the bank
is finally open, I decide it’s time to deposit the check. However,
I also decide that I’ll only use the money to pay for my father’s
medical bills, and nothing else. I still don’t consider it my money, only money I am borrowing until times get
better.
    At the bank, I quickly get an audience with
the bank president, Mr. Thompson. I find out he knew about the
checks Mrs. Manning had written and he has been expecting me. Of
course she knew where I banked.
    I almost ask him if the check is indeed
valid, or if it might be a cruel joke the late Mrs. Manning is
playing on me, but I bite my tongue, feigning trust and confidence.
Once the check is deposited, he tells me that since the amount is
so large, it will be several days before the funds are available.
He suggests I look into buying stocks and bonds, and offers me the
business card of a prominent financial advisor. I give him my word
that I’ll look into it. I still feel guilty and am still not
certain I won’t return the money. It just doesn’t seem right.
    But oddly enough, just moments later I feel
slightly giddy…okay, fucking marvelous that three billion dollars
is just waiting to clear in my account. What a rollercoaster
ride.
    I call Anne on my way to work, and tell her
the news. She is super excited on my behalf, saying I deserve and
earned every penny of it. She immediately reminds me that I owe her
a few cars and a house, and I assure her that I will come through
on my promise. She says she was just kidding, but I tell her that I
am not. I think she almost passes out on the other end she’s
hyperventilating so much. After I have purchased her those things, then I won’t spend any more money.
    Lunch is here in no time, and as planned,
Spencer shows up. Today he’s wearing a suit and tie, and I almost
have to catch my breath when I see him. Knowing now that he used to
work as a stripper, I can tell he has learned how to move in a very
appealing way.
    We head to Word of Mouth café again, and
this time I order the turkey Panini.
    “How was the rest of the day yesterday?” he
asks.
    “Well, after you left, Michael paid me a
surprise visit and forced me to go to lunch with him.”
    “Forced you?” he asks with a puzzled look on
his face.
    “I have sworn to leave my past behind,
Michael included, but he insisted I meet him.”
    “And…?” He doesn’t seem phased or jealous at
all, which is rather awesome. The more I get to know Spencer, the
more I like him. In fact, he’s the epitome of a likeable guy.
    “I went out with him, and I broke down
because it still hurts, you know?” A lump starts to form in my
throat.
    “You never told me what happened.”
    “Are you sure you want to hear this?” I
ask.
    “Of course.”
    I tell him about how the entire deal went
down, how Michael asked me to marry him so he could get his
inheritance, about Diane, and how sneaky she was, how I fell for
Michael and he fell for me, how we couldn’t make things work
because of the broken trust, and how we got married and divorced
shortly after. When I’m finished, I look at the time.
    “Shit! I’m late! I’m so sorry I talked