The Millionaire Myth Read Online Free

“situation”.  I smiled a little bit, which I have to say is not typical.  I couldn't believe all the friendly nods and how-are-you-this-morning?'s I got from everyone who crossed my path.  Did these people really think I was an idiot, or were they just hoping I would forget what they were really like?  Did they really think I believed their sympathetic, caring act?  Like I couldn't figure out that it was the mystery windfall that had them all being so sweet?
                  My phone rang around ten.  It was Kami, she wanted to meet for lunch.
                  “I can't meet you for lunch.  The restaurants will be packed.  There's no way we'll be out of there in an hour.”
                  “I thought you were going to play this little act of yours all the way?  Estelle, you just lost a loved one.  We'll have a nice lunch, and before you go back in, put in a few eye drops for that teary look.  No one will say a thing.”
                  “Wow Kami.”  I lowered my voice to a whisper, “Should I be worried that you're so good at lying?”
                  She laughed. “Shut up.  I just figure that if you're going to benefit from this deal, so should I.  My mom's watching LBJ, so I'm free.  This offer is only good until noon.”
                  “You've got yourself a deal, lady.  Want to meet at that seafood place on the corner?”
                  “Oooh, yeah.  Seafood sounds so good.  See you at noon.”
    * * *
                  I returned from my hour lunch after an hour and a half.  I walked into the office, fearing a public reprimand about my tardiness.  People milled about, but no one even looked up at me.  I guess Kami had been right.
                  I noticed the flowers immediately.  Sitting on my desk was a tall crystal vase filled with two dozen yellow roses.  I shook my head as I searched for the card among the stems.  Flowers were not out of the ordinary, clients would often send a bouquet as a thank you to their agent.  I always thought it was an insane gesture.  To me, if anyone should be sending the flowers, it should be the agent, with a card that read, “thanks for the gigantic commission.”
                  Pulling the card from the center of the flowers, I was shocked to see my name on the little envelope. 
                  I looked around self-consciously.  Who on earth would send me flowers?  I wasn't dating anyone, and it wasn't my birthday again, thank goodness.  God knows that came around often enough as it was.  The it hit me: Kami.
                  I sat down in my chair, marveling at her genius.  And she says I'm the sneaky one.  It was such a good idea, of course I would be getting sympathy flowers after a death in the family.  I eyed the gorgeous blooms.  They must have cost a fortune.  I was going to have to pay her back for them.
                  I opened the card, prepared to read her pretend wishes, and was shocked by what I saw.  On the tiny card, written in sloppy florist handwriting was this note:
     
    Estelle,
    Yellow roses signify friendship,
    and that's what I'm hoping to have with you. 
    I know you're going through a hard time,
    and I wanted to brighten your day. 
    Please know that if you want to talk, I'm here.
    Mick.
     
                  I leaned back in my chair, completely stunned. Slick sent me the flowers?  Again I looked up at the bouquet, now even more impressed by them.  It had been a long time since I'd gotten flowers, especially beautiful ones like these. I smiled as I thought of Slick, ordering these, trying to butter me up. Funny, most men sent flowers to get into a woman's pants. But these flowers were to get into my purse.
                  Regardless of his real motives, I had to play this right. I channeled my grieving granddaughter emotions. Slick