Chapter 46: What's Wrong?

May 10, 1983, Chicago, Illinois

After work on Tuesday, I picked up Jeri at home and took her to Morton's The Steakhouse, where I'd made reservations. We'd been there before, and it fit a proper business dinner. With my suit on, I could easily have ordered a drink, but Jeri, despite being dressed in a nice skirt and blouse, was so clearly under twenty-one that there was no way she'd be served.

"Do you have an agenda for the evening?" I asked once we'd placed our orders.

"Is that a serious question?" Jeri asked with a soft laugh. "I always have an agenda!"

"True! But I meant in terms of something specific you wanted to discuss."

"I'm going to use my once-per-get-together 'Get Out of Jail Free!' card! I'd like to discuss what it will take to get you into bed!"

"Noted," I replied.

"Interesting," Jeri replied, looking slightly surprised. "Not a blunt 'no'?"

"That was a simple acknowledgment of your request to discuss it without discussing it!"

Jeri rolled her eyes, "You are ridiculously pedantic and scrupulous! On a serious note, we're friends, and I wanted to hang out with you, just the two of us. Do I need an 'agenda'? I mean, besides the obvious one?"

"Wanting to hang out is an agenda," I replied.

"Oh, for Pete's sake!" Jeri exclaimed. "You can be impossible!"

"You say that as if it's a bad thing!" I chuckled.

"I have no idea why I put up with you!"

"Oh, yes, you do!" I countered. "First and most importantly, we can make money together. Second, you do want to go to bed with me again, and you're hoping I'll say 'yes' eventually."

"That might be true," Jeri said with a smile.

"And I might be from Goshen, Ohio!" I retorted.

The waiter brought our salads, briefly interrupting our conversation, but it resumed once he walked away.

"Well," Jeri said with a smile, "given you brought it up, the 'one-time' limit is out the window!"

"Let's have dinner and discuss it over dessert, OK?"

"Or you can have me for dessert!"

"How is school?" I asked with a smile.

"Straight A's, of course. I scheduled the ACT and SAT for August, and I'll apply to UofC, IIT, and Northwestern. I want to go to UofC, and I should get in, but I want to have backups."

"Computers?"

"Yes, though I'll apply and list a business major, then after I'm accepted, switch."

"Subterfuge to keep your mom from interfering?"

"Yes. There isn't really anything she'll be able to do to stop it at that point."

"Are you going to live at home?"

"You know the trust restrictions. I'll agree to a business minor and tell her how important computers will be, and that will keep things on simmer until I start interviewing during my last year at UofC."

"Knowing your mom, don't you think she'll find a way to interfere?"

"Oh, she'll try, but I just need to find someone who has the balls and power to stand up to her. And if necessary, I'll find a way to take down the entire Foundation and her with it."

"What about interviewing with a firm in the San Francisco Bay Area? What they're calling Silicon Valley? Or the Route 128 Corridor near Boston?"

"I like Chicago and want to stay here. And I'm not going to let my mom chase me away. But if she wants to fight, I'll fight."

"Remind me to stay out of the line of fire!"

Jeri smiled, "As smart as you are, I'd need someone with serious connections and serious money who would be willing to go up against her. I'll find someone; I know enough people who don't like her. How is school going for you?"

"I'll earn an A in my math class. I'm not taking a class over the Summer, but in the Fall, I'll take a statistics class."

"Why not during the Summer?"

"Initially, it was because I wanted more free time, but the decision was ultimately made because I'm going to Saint Martin for eight days, which would mean missing too many classes."

"Noel Spurgeon's house?"

"Yes. Thanks to you, I brought in the most new business for a junior staff member without actually being a junior staff member."

"And you didn't invite me?" Jeri asked with mock outrage.

"And what would your mom say about that? She isn't exactly campaigning to be President of the Jonathan Kane Fan Club!"

"Even asking about it would piss her off. Who are you taking?"

"My female housemates, minus Shelly, who got engaged, and Kristy, who is engaged to Jack."

Jeri laughed, "That must have Noel Spurgeon fit to be tied! You and three girls!"

"Five, actually. The new housemates are going along as well."

"New?"

"Shelly is moving out. She's moving in with Perry, who's graduating medical school in a few weeks, and they're getting married. A friend of Deanna's from Milford, Ohio, which is close to where I grew up, is moving in, and Bianca asked Juliette to room with her."

"Spurgeon and Matheson must be positively green with envy!"

"Whatever! They can get their own girls! Have you been to the house in Saint Martin?"

"Once, with my parents about five years ago. Next year, after I graduate from High School, I'm going to Monaco for two weeks."

"Noel Spurgeon's place?"

"No. My dad's family has an apartment there. My dad's parents stay there in the Summer, and I'll stay with them. Someday, that'll be you with places in Saint Martin, Monaco, Lucerne, or wherever."

"I'll worry about that in the future. Right now, my focus is on being an analyst and trying to bring in new business. My goal is to make Portfolio Manager in two years and have Spurgeon sponsor me for a Series 30 license. That's the one that would let me supervise other brokers."

"Which is your parachute, if and when you need it."

"Yes. But as I said to someone else, so long as nobody messes with me, I'm going to stay, learn, and make money."

"What do you need to walk away?"

"To be comfortable doing so? A hundred mill I can take with me. I have around ten, but that includes five mill Spurgeon gave me to manage. I'm working on some other deals, but everything takes time. Really, though, I'm ahead of the game by at least two years from what I had planned. You're a big part of that."

Jeri smiled, "Thanks. What else is going on?"

"Not much, really. Work, school, and hanging out with friends. You?"

"School, friends, and romance novels."

I shook my head, "I still don't understand the attraction."

Jeri laughed, "As I said, it's my guilty pleasure! A girl can have fantasies, can't she?"

"I suppose, but mindless?"

"How clearly do YOU think during sex?"

"Not very," I chuckled.

The waiter came and cleared our empty salad dishes away, then brought our main courses. Jeri and I began eating and continued the conversation.

"Do you have friends outside your mom's social circles?" I asked.

"A few girls at Maria who I hang out with occasionally. I've mostly avoided Lisa because she's pissed at me about being involved with you."

"How much does she know?"

"Not that," Jeri said. "Even talking to you was enough to piss her off. And when she found out I'd given you my trust fund to manage, that really set her off."

"I never really understood why she's such a bitch to me."

"Easy. She knew she couldn't manipulate you. Other than her dad, who she has wrapped around her little finger, you're the one male on the planet over age thirteen she couldn't manipulate with sex or the offer of sex."

"She's fourteen!"

"And? Girls have sex at fourteen. I know a girl who willingly and enthusiastically had sex at thirteen. But you, being Lisa's cousin, she knew that couldn't ever happen."

"Not that I'd even consider it, but I believe cousins can marry in Ohio."

"Same in Illinois, but I think she correctly deduced you wouldn't be interested."

"At twelve? Seriously? That's wrong on so many levels! And I mean, even if the guy is fifteen or sixteen."

"Late thirties for the thirteen-year-old," Jeri said. "Someone you know, but I won't name names."

"Sick. Whoever it is ought to be turned in to the cops."

"I know you believe that, but she got exactly what she wanted, enjoyed it, and kept doing it."

"I still say it's sick. But let's drop that discussion, please."

"Sorry."

"It's OK. Back to your novels. What's the last one you've read?"

"My Lord Kasseem, which is about a girl who falls for a sheikh. The next one is Reluctant Paragon, about a widowed woman who was a 'paragon of virtue' after her husband's death but is tempted by her boss."

"I had you pegged for the 'blushing virgin' type story."

"Right, because I blushed that first night we were together!"

"I meant in terms of fantasy!"

"Shall I tell you my fantasy?" Jeri asked with an inviting smile.

"When we finish eating, please."

We chit-chatted amiably while we finished eating, and after the busboy cleared our plates, the waiter brought the dessert menu.

"We're done with dinner. What are you having for dessert?"

"Something on the menu," I replied.

"Great!" Jeri exclaimed as she slipped the menu under her butt.

I couldn't help but laugh hard.

"A's for effort and creativity," I said after about twenty seconds of laughter.

"Does that mean you'll eat me?" she asked invitingly.

"I have to be at work at 7:00am tomorrow, and I don't have a change of clothes. I'd also need to let Jack know because we drive in together."

"Call Jack from my house. Karolin will launder your shirt, underwear, and socks and iron your shirt. Karl will steam and press your slacks, jacket, and tie."

"You're joking!"

"You have a lot to learn about what you can do if you have enough money!"

"Obviously."

"Any other objections? I am on the menu, after all!"

"You are," I admitted.

"And you did give me A's for effort and creativity."

"I did. But nothing else has changed."

"I disagree," Jeri replied. "I admit freely I have no power over you and won't try to manipulate you. We're partners."

"That's a refreshing change of attitude. What brought that on?"

"When I finally admitted to myself that I was unable to manipulate you."

"What's your fantasy?" I asked.

"Take me home, take me around the world twice, sleep, wake up and take me around the world again."

"I'm not sure there's enough time to sleep if we're going to do that!"

"Then save that for another time, take me home, have amazing sex until midnight, sleep, wake up at 5:00am, and have more amazing sex."

"Another time?"

"A casual, occasional thing. I ask, no pressure, you say 'yes' or 'no', and I accept your answer. If you ask, I'll say 'yes' and do anything you want, any way you want, anywhere you want. Obviously, if you have a steady girlfriend, I won't ask because I know how you feel about that."

"Out of curiosity, how do you feel about that?"

"It's a complex question," Jeri replied. "Because you know my views on sex."

"That it's transactional and a tool and is simply one more way of conducting business."

"Yes, and as I said, I have no desire to transact with anyone else in the near term."

"So, if this isn't manipulation and isn't necessary to seal a business deal..."

Jeri laughed softly, "I'm horny, and I want you to come back to my house and have amazing sex!"

"Your mom will have a fit," I replied.

"She and my dad are in San Francisco raising money for the Foundation and meeting with California-based charities she supports."

"Which gave you the freedom to try to get me into bed."

"Have I tried to manipulate you?" Jeri asked with a smile.

"No, you haven't," I admitted.

"And you enjoyed having sex with me."

"I did."

"Then come home with me and plow my field!"

I laughed, "Only if you promise no more romance novel idioms!'

She leaned forward and spoke quietly and urgently, "Come home with me and fuck my brains out!"

The waiter appeared back at the table just then.

"Have we decided?" he asked.

I considered my options, then said, "Just the check, please."

May 11, 1983, Chicago, Illinois

When Jeri and I got out of bed on Wednesday morning, having had amazing sex both before and after we'd slept, we showered together. After our showers, we went down to the kitchen to have breakfast, which Karolin had prepared. While we were eating, Karl came into the kitchen.

"Master Jonathan, your suit has been steamed and pressed, your shoes shined, your shirt laundered and ironed, and your other things laundered. I've laid them out on the bed in the guest room across the hall from Miss Jeri's bedroom."

"Thank you," I replied.

When Jeri and I finished eating, I thanked Karolin, and Jeri and I went back upstairs and into the guest room where my clothes were laid out.

"Do you realize how crazy this is?" I asked.

Jeri smiled, "As I said, you have a lot to learn about what you can do with enough money!"

"It just feels like too much."

I doffed my robe, and Jeri looked me up and down approvingly. I took my freshly laundered briefs from the small pile and stepped into them, then continued dressing while Jeri spoke.

"Because you're used to doing literally everything for yourself," she said. "One of the most important lessons to learn is to do the things you're very good at and let others do the things they're good at. That frees you to focus on the important things. Don't reject the idea simply because it offends your sense of nobility or whatever. There is no nobility in poverty. And you know what? You agree with me on that."

"I do, at least to a point," I said. "I think it can also be excessive. I don't begrudge your family, or Matheson, or Spurgeon, the enjoyment of their wealth, so long as they aren't abusing anyone to earn it and pay reasonable taxes. That said, in their positions, I'd probably give more to charity and spend more to help my friends than they do."

"One thing you'll discover is that as soon as you have significant wealth, people will hound you to gain access to it. You have a serious advantage in that you can manage your own money and don't need any financial advisors except with regard to taxes, which anyone with wealth needs. But the charities will come knocking, friends and family will show up out of the woodwork, and people you don't know will beg you for money. That happens to my parents and to Spurgeon."

"And your mom is one of those begging for money!" I chuckled.

"Someday, she'll ask you, but I'd strongly advise not giving her a dime. May I make an observation?"

"I believe that's part of our deal, isn't it?"

"Perhaps I want to alter the deal!" Jeri said, lowering her voice.

"Darth Lundgren?" I asked.

"In January, I'll be eighteen, and we could become THE Chicago power couple. Your financial acumen and my contacts would allow us to wield influence in Chicago and nationally. And what we did last night and again this morning would be a major plus for both of us. And before you object, I'll point out that your view on marriage fits mine exactly — a contract entered into for mutual gain. It's not about love, so why not find a partner who not only will please you in the bedroom, but provide significant financial resources?"

"Did you just propose to me?" I asked as I picked up my tie and moved to stand in front of the mirror to tie it.

"Duh!" Jeri replied. "Think about our combined resources, including the trust fund, my contacts, and this!"

She dropped her robe, showing off her sexy body.

I chuckled, "I can have that without getting married! In fact, I had it three times last night and once this morning!"

"And a blowjob last night, too!" Jeri added. "But it is an added attraction, so to speak."

"It is, and your offer is interesting," I replied. "But, well, OK, to be blunt?"

"Yes."

"You only promised not to try to manipulate me. And no, standing there naked or offering sex is not manipulation, per se, because it's about attitude. And it's not manipulative to express what you desire or express a vision of the future. That said, I don't think you could keep a promise to never try to manipulate anyone ever again."

"And you don't think you manipulate people?"

"I think it comes down to motivations. Your motivation is to win at all costs, consequences be damned. My motivation is to always seek out a 'win-win' scenario. And before you object to securities and currency trading as not being 'win-win', nothing I do, or would ever do, compels the counterparty to buy or sell. I make an offer, and it's accepted or not, and most often, I don't even know the counterparty except in the case of very large block trades."

"OK to be blunt?" Jeri asked.

"Always," I agreed.

"You're naïve if you think you can succeed without a desire to win."

"Ah, but I do have a desire to win, just not at all costs. That's the fundamental difference between us. I don't believe in 'scorched earth' strategies."

"And you can't make an omelette without breaking eggs. But, to keep my word to you, I've asked, you've said 'no', and I accept that. On the other hand, you've heard my proposal, and if you ask, I'll say 'yes'. Just as I promised about sex."

"It is something to think about," I replied. "But not something you should expect."

"I totally understand. The same goes for my fantasy!"

"What's the attraction?" I asked.

"You mean anal sex?"

"Yes."

"Violating that taboo excited me, and it still does. I can't explain it beyond that. And now that I've revealed my fantasy, the ball is in your court."

"A cynical person might see your behavior as manipulative, albeit using different tactics. Playing the submissive, compliant girl to achieve your ultimate goal. And that actually tracks with what you said about the different personae you show to different people or groups. But I'm taking you at your word that it's not intended to be manipulative."

"You think it might be an act?"

"The thought did cross my mind," I replied. "I can only judge you on your actions and your words because I can't read your mind. You're doing and saying the right things, but that doesn't tell me what you're actually thinking. In the end, I have to judge if you're being honest or not, and I believe you are."

"But you have doubts."

"Yes, because of past behavior and what you've said about your philosophy about business and relationships. I'm positive we can do business together, so long as it's on my terms. I don't think a marriage would work. I'm not ruling it out, but as I said, it's not something you should count on or expect."