"Hello Miss Denny, this is Julia Whitney and I was hoping to schedule a meeting with you" my hands started to shake and I had to hold the phone with two hands to keep it from falling as I answered: Yes hello.
"When would be a good time to meet with you Miss Denny?" The woman asked in a smooth low voice. I didn't hesitate to answer: Any time, you name the day and time and I am there.
I heard a breathy chuckle before she replied: Yes well I have tomorrow around this time available, I can meet you at the old coffee shop on University Wy, does that work for you?
"Of course, thank you so mu… ch for calling, or not, because you hung up" She hung up before I could even finish my sentence Wow people are rude I set my phone down and finished my lunch hoping food might settle my nerves and make my hands stop shaking.
I woke the next morning feeling exhausted, I hadn't slept well due to the crippling anxiety about the meeting with the finance department. I also felt like it was odd that this Julia Whitney woman wanted to meet me at a coffee shop and not at the hospital. I also couldn't figure out where I had heard that name before but I shrugged it off as I took Olivia to daycare and went to work. The morning went by quicker then expected as I rehearsed over and over what I might say and also what I might reply if she asked me this or that.
I took lunch and made it to the coffee shop just in time to order a coffee before my meeting. As I walked into the old building and to the counter to order a coffee I heard that same smooth low voice: Miss Denny, hello. I turned to see a familiar looking woman, her eyes were hazel and her hair was short and bleached, she had on a red skirt and blazer with lipstick and heals to match, she looked middle aged but the work she had done on her face somehow made her look even older. She signaled me to come over to her and I complied as she continued: I took the liberty of ordering a latte for you, I hope you don't mind. She gently slid the coffee over to me as she tilted her head showing a satisfied look across her red Botox filled lips as she looked down at me. That's when I remembered where I had seen her, she is Julia Whitney of the Whitney family, the entire state knew who the Whitney's were, her step son Daniel Whitney owned a huge conglomerate worth billions of dollars that was left to him by his father who had passed away about 2 years ago, all of it was on the news.
"Mrs. Whitney, I'm so sorry but I think there has been a misunderstanding, I thought you were from the finance department of the hospital. That's why I agreed to meet with you so I am actually embarrassed to say that I'm not quite sure why you wanted to meet with me today." I sat and took the coffee anyways because no way would I look down my nose at a free cup of energy.
She looked at me and smiled with her pursed lips as her eyes narrowed at me and she replied: Yes I am aware of who you thought I was, the finance department actually called me. I told them to hold off on calling you till we had a chance to talk about a little opportunity I'd like to extend to you.
I was taken back but felt hopeful I know the Whitney family has donated to multiple non profit organizations but I've never heard of them giving to one individual before, but if your a good person you don't usually want people knowing your good deeds. I started to feel excited at the possibility of her donating the funds to pay for Olivia's treatment but my fantasy was quickly shattered as she got straight to the point: Listen, I've already met with 3 other young women around your age and they didn't find my opportunity enticing enough for them to take me up on it, I am hoping that you will have enough sense to do so. I will get to the point as to not waste your time. My step son is dying and he doesn't want his fathers name to die with him. He wants to be married before he dies and enjoy some semblance of companionship as well as having the knowledge that his name shall live on in en heir before he goes.
I know that my face must have been a state of shock because her lips parted when she finally looked at me and she stopped talking to give me time to process everything she said before she finally continued: In your marriage you will gain the protection and the advantage of the Whitney name, in this city that is huge step up from where you are. You will also get $250,000 sent to your bank account the second the marriage license is signed, which you can then use to pay for Olivia's treatment as well as some cushion to do, whatever you please.
She smiled at me as if she was expecting me to jump out of my chair excited at the prospect of marrying a dying man I had never met. I looked at her for moment trying to weight out my options before saying: Well… can I at least talk to the finance department before making that decision or at least think about it before saying yes?
She gave me that same breathy chuckle she had on the phone while smiling at me: Well of course you can but like I said I have already spoke to 3 other girls and I have 2 more to meet today, it is kind of a first come first serve kind of thing. But if I may be honest Miss Denny? I nodded at her and she smiled and continued: I asked the finance department to only send me those that most likely would not be able to afford treatment even with help, so if you really want to save Olivia, this is the best option to not only save her but to give her a life worth living.