The 'Cousins'

Part Ninety-Six (Echo)

Dedication: This chapter is dedicated to Mandy Thomas (@challengethemind) and her new book Hard To Feel Free. This is a great piece of writing that follows the fortunes of Jake, Abbie, Jo and Cal - whom we met in Hard To Feel Whole- through college and into life beyond where hardships and legacies still work to confound them. The book is newly released on Amazon and if you read it on Wattpad the only thing missing on the book's Amazon and Goodreads pages is your review! While you are there, why not  buy the book and read it again. Mandy has refined and updated the story, adding much and losing nothing. I am sure you will enjoy reading the latest adventures of this friendly foursome all over again.

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CHAPTER NINETY-SIX (ECHO)

Reconciliation and Resolve (Contd.)

 “You heard right,” Greg replied pulling his hand free of Wayne’s grasp. “Providing you continue to let Halburton bring forward the sale of twenty per cent of the stock to sell through the smaller brokerages and trust funds like we discussed and before Goldman’s launch in Easter - maybe even bringing that forwards a month or two as well.”

Wayne sat stiff and upright in his chair with his mind racing to see if there was a catch in this colossal turnaround or signs of a massive collapse in Greg’s resolve and the man had given up? He could find no trap.  Greg sat opposite him, unbent and with his head held high. Slowly Wayne relaxed into his chair, folded his hands behind his neck and grinned broadly. “Why the sudden turnaround Greg; you got sick or something?”

 “Nothing like that Wayne, this is the new me. The final piece was missing, but you brought it out tonight with your sordid little scenario.”

“You’ll have to explain that.”

“Don’t you see Wayne? Baileys and their like, or Fishers come to that, can only ever be work. Whatever personal passion we pour into it, the end result for everybody in the firm is the same - it’s the daily grind, work in the marketplace and that’s how I see it now. On the other hand Jess, Ali and the others I plan on helping is work based on people. That’s the difference. I’ve been too long without any people in my life. That’s going to change, because I know I need them now.”

“Jeez Greg, and you said I brought this on. How come”

“That was unfair of me, let’s say you showed me the piece of the puzzle I couldn’t see for myself.”

“About Jess?”

“No, about all of it. It all sort of came together for me here tonight. Sure, I’d given myself other reasons for why I’m doing what I am, but they pale into insignificance under this.”

“Can you explain that to me, you’ve lost me and more’n a bit?”

“Sure. For all the things I’ve done in the past, all the money I’ve made and the acclaim I received I have yet to connect with anybody in a meaningful way or make any impact on the world of any true value. Facing the memory of those that betrayed me made this clear.” Greg counted off on his fingers “Love - zero; Relationships  –zero; Personal Life – absolute zero. This is my chance to change all that. It’s not just about helping Jess and the others. It’s also doing it for me, building me up again.” 

He tapped the table with his index finger to emphasise his next words. “I admit I’ve wondered if I could have other reasons and searched my soul more than once for answers to the question; is there is more to this than helping them get by- especially Jess.”

“And what did you find” Wayne’s voice cracked like a bullet and his forefinger pointed accusingly at Greg, who remained unmoved, save for a mocking smile flitting across his lips.