AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Erica laughed. “Hardly. You’ll need a little touch-up every five or six months. Until you start going gray. Then we’ll see you more.”
Francis recoiled in mock horror. “The women in my family don’t go gray.”
“Then you have a very lucky family.” She took off the black robe and folded it. “Thanks for letting me do your hair.”
Francis smiled in the mirror. “Anytime. My friends still can’t believe my boss does my hair every year or so and for free. A perk of the business.”
“I need to keep my hand in. I appreciate the practice.”
Francis stood, then shook her head. “I nearly forgot.”
She pulled out her phone and scrolled through it, then turned it so Erica could see the picture of a handsome nineteen-year-old lounging outside of Murrow Hall on the campus of Washington State University.
“Gus is doing so well,” she said, her voice thick with emotion. “He’s the first in the family to go to college.”
Something she’d already told Erica about eighteen thousand times.
“I’m glad it worked out.”
Francis touched her arm. “It wouldn’t have, if not for you. All those years ago when I could barely pay the bills, you took a chance on me. You helped my business grow and later, gave me this great job. Because of you, Gus is going to college.”
“Francis, don’t. We’ve been over this. You’re successful because of your hard work. I was one of many clients.”
“You were more than that. I’ll always be grateful.”
“As will I.”
They smiled at each other. Fortunately the other woman seemed ready to let the topic go. They chatted for a few more minutes, then Francis left for the Kirkland salon.
As Erica cleaned the station, she reminded herself it wasn’t Francis’s fault she was tired of being thanked. Not two days ago, Allison had left her a heartfelt note of gratitude, which was lovely, but also uncomfortable. Erica simply wanted to move on.
When she’d put everything away, she returned to her office. She had several messages, including one from her financial planner. Dan didn’t call often, so she returned his call first.
“Erica, thanks for getting back to me.”
“Of course. I didn’t think we were doing any more trades this quarter.”
“We’re not,” Dan said, then paused. “I’m calling about Summer.”
“Why?”
He paused, then said, “You know I check in with her every six months or so about her trust.”
“Of course.”
Erica had set up a trust for her daughter, putting aside money Summer could draw on later in life.
“We talked a few days ago. She’s always surprised when I call, as if she’s completely forgotten she has that money coming to her.”
“When she’s twenty-five.”
“She called me half an hour ago. She wants to withdraw thirty thousand dollars. I explained the money wasn’t available to her yet and suggested she talk to you.” He paused. “I thought you’d want to know.”
Erica felt all the good drain out of the day. Worry and panic instantly took over as she wondered what Summer would need that much money for. Was she pregnant? Planning to run away? Was a friend in trouble? It couldn’t be for Allison—her situation was handled.
She pushed away the questions. “I had no idea,” she admitted. “Thanks, Dan. I’ll talk to her.”
“I didn’t know what else to do, but if she was my daughter, I’d want to know.”
