Ethan brought Sam back to the house.

“ So, what do you think?”, Ethan asked Sam.

” It needs a lot of work. A lot of work, but nothing impossible. The roof is  very good, the pipes, from what I see, look solid, but I’ll give you the name of a plumber friend of mine to do a complete inspection. It’ll cost about five hundred, and I also think you should get a formal inspection of the house, from head to toe. That’s about fifteen hundred. But, considering that I’ve been fixing up houses since I was a kid, this is a real gem.”

” That’s what I thought.”

Sam sat down. “ So, you want to hire contractors? I can give you the names of some good ones.”

” No. I want to do the work myself.”

” Yourself? Ethan, do you have a clue?”

” No. That’s why I hoped my father would help me.”

Sam smiled. “ I’ll help.”

” I need this, Dad. I need to build this home. It’s MY first home, ya know? Not the Crane  Mansion, but the first real home of Ethan Winthrop. My marriage might be over, but I have a baby coming, and I want to have roots for my child.”

“ I understand. You can turn this into a home where a child would be very happy. I’m proud of you, Ethan. You’re taking your life into your own hands, and accepting responsibility. That’s all I want for you.”

” Thanks, Dad.”
 

“ Theresa, why did you have me meet you here?”, Whitney asked, as she got out of her car.

” Because, you’re my best friend, and I needed your advice.”

” About what?”

” Well, a car, silly. That’s why we’re here!”

Theresa took Whitney’s arm and they walked into the car dealership. A man came over to them.

” Hello, ladies. May I help you?”

Theresa stuck out her hand.  “ Yes, you may. I’m Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald, and I would like to buy a car.”

” Well, I think you’re in the wrong place. The less expensive cars are in the other showroom.”

“ Oh no. I know EXACTLY where I should be. I’m looking for a Mercedes SL roadster. Candy red, with all the extras.”

“ Is that all?”, the salesman asked.

“ No. I also want a Range Rover, Black with camel interior. All the extras.”

“ Oh really.”

” Yes. Really. “ Theresa pulled out a card. “ Just put it on Julian Crane’s account.”

The salesman stiffened. “ Mr. Crane?”

“ Yes. My telephone number is on the back of the card. Phone me when they’re ready to be delivered.” Theresa took Whitney by the arm and walked away. When they got back to Whitney’s car, Whitney broke away.

” Theresa, do you know what you just did?”

” I ordered a couple of cars.”

” A couple of cars?! Theresa, you just ordered over two hundred thousand dollars’ worth of cars!”

” Julian can afford it.”

” Theresa…”

” Whitney, I accepted Julian’s offer, and part of that offer was two cars: a family car, and one other. I chose the ones he wanted.”

” Theresa, I don’t think it’s a good idea to upset Mr. Crane like this.”

” Whitney, I’m the mother of a Crane Heir. What do you think I should be driving – a Hyundai? I don’t think so. “

” I’m really not making any sense to you, am I?”

” No. Julian said I could have two cars. He’s lucky I didn’t decide on a Rolls Royce and a Ferrari. Now, you have to drive me to my next appointment.”

” Which is?”

” We’re looking for a house for me and Little Ethan.”

Whitney shrugged her shoulders and got into her car.
 

Simone looked at the latest set of pictures. She marveled that Kinko’s was indeed everywhere, including Patagonia.

“ Sending emails?”

Simone looked up to see Jonah there. “ Yep. And, you?”

” Have to collect a business proposal for Warren. And, fax a response.”

” Technology is a terrific thing. Are you almost finished.”

” Actually, I am. “ Simone clicked off the computer.

” Good, then you can join us for dinner.”

Simone and Jonah rode to a restaurant.

” Chinese? In Chile?”, Simone asked.

” Hey, don’t knock it. It was recommended by one of Mr. J’s favorite restauranteurs in Hong Kong.”

” Ok.”

They walked in and sat down at Warren’s table.

” Well, it’s good to have you, Simone.”

” Thanks for inviting me. “

“ I can’t believe this trip is almost over.”, Warren said.

” I know. I really have enjoyed it. The National Park, the tour of Patagonia, our trip to Easter Island and Fire Island. I couldn’t believe that you arranged for that short trip to Antarctica. I mean, how many people in the world can say that they’ve been to Antarctica.”

” Not many.”, Jonah replied.

” Simone, we’ll be ending our South American trip soon. I was wondering what your plans were?”

Simone shrugged. “ I don’t know. I don’t think I have any plans.”

” Then, I’d like to offer you a job.”

Both Simone and Jonah stopped eating.

” A..a job?”

“ Yes.”

” Sir, I can’t imagine that I’d be qualified to do anything for an important man like yourself.”

” I disagree. You’re smart, kind, thoughtful, and you like me. I can tell.”

Simone smiled. “ That is true.”

” I was on the telephone this afternoon with an old friend of mine. She’s a book editor. She told me that she intends on retiring in the next couple of years, and I promised her that if I ever wrote a book about myself, I’d let her be the editor. She wanted to remind me of that promise. I told her that I’d tell her one way or the other about the book on this trip, and today, I told her that it was a go with my autobiography. I’m going to need assistance.”

” You want me to write the book?”, Simone asked.

Warren laughed. “ No. I do have a PhD remember? I can write the book. But, there’s a lot that goes into the book. Research, archiving my memories. I’ll need an assistant to help me. Someone smart, thoughtful and trustworthy.”

” You do know that I don’t even have a college education.”

” We can rectify that. You can work for me, and attend college part-time. It will be part of the terms of your employment.”

Simone stared at Warren. “ You are smart. Rich. Successful. Brilliant. You have no idea how many people in community look up to you and admire you. Me, on the other hand, I got out of high school, but nothing spectacular. I’m not my sister, Whitney. She’s the one who would get to work for someone like you. Not me.”

Warren took Simone’s hand. “ You listen to me, young lady. The reason I AM so successful is because I surround myself with the best and the brightest. I can see your soul, Simone Russell. And, it’s a good one. I don’t care if you could pass high school classes. Your integrity, your character. THAT means something to me, and you pass those tests with flying colors. I’ve made a fortune from finding diamonds in the rough, Simone. You are one, and by the time you leave my employ, you’ll know it.”

The tears streamed down Simone’s face. She looked at Jonah who nodded.

“ Ok. If you’re willing to take a chance on me, I’ll do my best.”

” Excellent! Now, let’s eat dinner.”
 

“ You think you want another sandwich, Kay?”, Fox asked, as Kay took the other half to his club sandwich.

“ Um, no…but, can you get me another yogurt with strawberry topping?”

Fox laughed. “ Sure.”

Kay was eating her fruit salad when she saw Miguel and Charity. She flew out of the chair.

” Miguel, where were you?”

” Kay, what are you doing here?”

” Why are you here, Miguel?”

” Charity volunteers here, remember? I brought her to work.”

“ You brought CHARITY TO VOLUNTEER? Don’t you know what today was?”

Miguel looked at her with a blank face.

“ I had a DOCTOR’S appointment, Miguel. “

“ Oh, yeah.”

” OH YEAH? I waited for you, and then I had to go in ALONE.”

“ I’m sorry, Kay. I guess I forgot.”

” You guess you forgot? I’m pregnant with YOUR CHILD, Miguel. YOUR CHILD.  I..”

Just then Fox came over to the trio. “ Kay, I’ve got the rest of your food. Come on, let’s go.”

Kay didn’t say anything and let Fox lead her back to the table.

” It’s not right! I’m pregnant with his child and he acts..”

“ Kay, you’ll be fine. He’ll come around.”

“ Do you think? I’ve dreamt for so long to be a family with Miguel. You really think he’ll come around?”

Fox looked at Kay. He had never seen her look so vulnerable. What the hell could she see in that idiot that would make her so weak around him? But, it wasn’t his place to say what he really thought.

” Yeah, Kay. He’ll come around.”