Chapter 5

Whoa! What is going on? We need to talk!?!?

When I composed myself, I asked, "Where would you like to talk?"

"Someplace safe. Someplace I can talk to you without there being a scene made," she said.

"Hmmm... someplace like Denny's or some secluded but public place?" I responded.

"Denny's is fine," she said.

I started the engine and proceeded to a Denny's that was in a neighborhood rather than one by a freeway. There was an eerie silence all the way there.

We went in and sat in the very back booth. I mentioned to the waitress that there would be a nice tip if she could refrain from seating people close to us. We both ordered coffee.

Once the coffee was delivered, Tamara began to speak. "John, there are a few things that I need to get off my chest.

"First, I don't just own a hair salon. I actually own twenty salons, in four states. They were my grandmother's. Once the divorce was final, she 'sold' them to me for a song. I grew up around them and I was the only one in the family that took an interest. I've been running them for the past five years. She wanted me to have them before she died so the family wouldn't sell them off. Each is worth about $250,000.

"I really don't have to 'work', all I have to do is to meet with my regional managers once or twice a month. The salons generate about $50,000 a month after taxes for me.

"The reason I'm telling you this is, I don't want money to be an issue and you were bound to find out sooner or later. You aren't a gold digger are you?"

Wow... here I was worried that she might be a bit overwhelmed at my money and she is worth over five million.

"John, you're not saying anything," she said. "My money isn't going to cause you a problem, is it?"

I thought a minute and said, "Let me get this straight, you're a multimillionaire and I meet you at a bowling center?"

"Well, I'm very down to earth and enjoy the friends that I've had for years," was her reply. "So to answer your question earlier, I don't have to be at work any particular time. In fact, I can take weeks off at a time if I desire."

"I guess I could get used to a rich girl friend. So does that mean you want to pick up the tab for the coffee?" I teased.

"John, be serious. If you really want this to go forward I need to know if my money will cause a problem?" she asked.

"I think we need to take a drive." I pulled a twenty out of my pocket and put it on the table.

We got into the SUV and I headed towards my place. As we drove along, we held hands but didn't say much.

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"Well, with your money, I think you could upgrade your home. Let's go dream house shopping," I said.

"John, that house is the only home my girls have known. I didn't want to do anything until Audrey and Lena no longer considered it home." I looked at her and there seemed to be tears welling up in her eyes.

I was wondering how I was gonna get through the gate at my place without her sensing something. As we turned up the main thoroughfare that leads to my subdivision, she perked up. "I've always liked the homes in this area. I know I can afford it, but I just haven't thought seriously about one yet," she told me.

I was in luck; a car came by and changed lanes to turn into my gated community. "We are in luck, we can follow that car through," I said. Once through the gate, I sort of just drove around, intentionally not heading to where my house was.

Tamara was oohing and aahing about this one and that one. I finally turned down the cul-de-sac that ended at my driveway. As I reached the end and began to curve around, she said, "Stop. Look at this one. It's perfect."

"Why do you say that?" I asked.

"I love the lines. The landscaping is exquisite. I love the lighting throughout the flowerbeds. I bet it has a pool in the back. Isn't there a golf course behind the house?" she continued. "What do you think this one sells for?"