Tangled Love

~ Chapter Four ~

Kelsey POV

I was happy when Annette called me this morning to tell me that she was able to get me on the Communications Conference gig. I don’t know what I would do without her always finding work for me. I love that girl for always looking out for me. After I spoke with Annette, I called aunt Roselie and she answered this time.

“Hello sweetheart, I’m sorry we have been playing phone tag. How are you?” She said as soon as she answered my call.

“Hi Aunt Roselie, I’m okay. I’m trying to make ends meet and I was wondering how much is the check you put in the mail yesterday.” I asked and she remained quiet for a few minutes.

“Seven thousand five hundred dollars. Your dorm room is Two thousand three hundred a month, correct?” She asked and I smiled that she remembered.

“Yes, so I will pay April, May, and June’s and use the rest for food and personal items. Annette has been finding me small jobs and the pay has been helping a lot.” I said and she exhaled deeply.

“I’m glad to hear that because this will be the last p*****t for a few months.” Aunt Roselie said.

“Yes, I remember from your text message. I will manage.” I said and exhaled.

“Estate management can be expensive. The attorney is still assessing your father’s accounts and because he has several international accounts all of his assets are currently frozen until tax filings are verified. I’m sure your father was responsible, but I can’t say for sure if all his financials are in order.

“I’m not sure but I know he had an accountant name Brian. Mom said, Brian has copies of all the tax returns, have you spoken to him yet?” I asked and she sighed.

“No, not yet. He’s on paternity leave until next month.” She said and I smiled remembering my mother telling me Brian’s wife was pregnant with a due date close to her birthday which is in a couple weeks.

“I’m sure everything is going to be okay. I will manage until then, but I need to get ready for work. I love you Aunt Roselie. I will be home to visit next month.” I said before ending the call and walking into my bathroom to get ready for my shift.

When I got to Manndible’s, Omar asked me to quickly get to the counter. The line was long and the customers seemed a little irritated. The girl who always come in with that guy Elias walked up to the counter but today she seemed to know exactly what she wanted and her attitude was unreal.

“I will have a Manndi-Burrito and a large Sprite and please make it quick. I can’t afford to deal with your usual slowness. I have to get to work.” Melinda said with an attitude, but I didn’t respond to her comment, I walked her order to the kitchen and stepped in the back to put my phone and bag in my locker.

When I walked back out the order was up, so I grabbed it and took it out to that girl.

“Here is you order. Miss… umm.” I said handing her the order.

“It’s Melinda and thank you.” She said then grabbed her order and walked away.

I took the next couple customers before Amanda arrived for her shift and Omar told me to take my break. While I was on my break, Annette called to let me know there is an orientation for those working the conference on Saturday at noon. I took down the details and went back to work. The day went by slowly and I couldn’t wait to get off. Just as I clocked out my phone rung, but I didn’t recognize the phone number.

“This is Kelsey, how can I help you?” I said as soon as I answered the call.

“Is this Kelsey Jones, daughter of Dr. Jonathan Jones?” A man asked and I sighed deeply.

“Yes, this is that Kelsey Jones, how can I help you?” I said and waited for the man to reply.

“Hello Kelsey, first and foremost I would like to say, I’m deeply sorry for your lost. My name is Keith Jameson. I was your father’s protégé. He was an amazing man. I’ve been trying to find you since the news of his death. Are you available to talk for a minute?” Keith said and I looked back at the phone and noticed the area code of my parent’s home line.

“I’m just clocking out at work. It will take me about twenty minutes to reach home. I can give you a call when I get there.” I said letting out a deep breath I was holding.

“That would be great. What I need to tell you is long OVERDUE and very URGENT.” Keith said emphasizing overdue and urgent.

“I understand and I will call you as soon as I get home.” I said before ending the call and grabbing my belongings to leave.

I got home fifteen minutes later and there was a note on my door from one of my classmates, Myra.

‘Hey Kelsey, come by my dorm tonight after work. We’re having a little get together for Annette’s birthday. Starts at 8:00 pm. See you later! – Myra.’

I read the note and sat it on my nightstand then took my phone out of my pocket and sat on my bed to call Keith back. He answered after the third ring.

“This is Keith, how can I help you?” He said as soon as he answered the phone.

“Keith, this is Kelsey calling you back.” I said with a smile.

“Hello Kelsey. Thank you for calling me back. I need to ask you a couple questions to verify that you ae the right Kelsey Jones. First question, where do you currently attend school?” Keith asked.

“Cornell University.” I replied

“And your major?” He asked

“I’m currently double majoring in Communications and Information Technology.” I said and thought maybe I should have just said Communications.

“Perfect, last question, how old are miss Jones?” Keith asked.

“I’m nineteen, I will be twenty on August 4th.” I said and Keith chuckled.

“Well, that answers all my questions. So, a couple years ago, when your father started his research, he knew that it would become bigger than anything he had ever done. What he didn’t know was that in the wake of his death he would be identified as the world’s best and renown medical researcher in heart health. He also couldn’t have expected to be nominated and receive the Department of Health and Human Services: National Institutes of Health PECASE Award.” Keith said in an admiration and sincere tone.

“PECASE Award?” I asked as he paused to gather his thoughts.

“The Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, it’s the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on outstanding scientists and engineers beginning their independent careers in research. Since your father’s research career was only a couple years old and from it the device was created and had successful runs, it was considered the beginning of his independent career in research. A month after your father’s death, our research facility started receiving request for Dr. Jonathan Jones to contact the Department of Health and Human Services in regard to his research, but the request went unanswered until last month when the request asked for either Dr. Jonathan Jones or his current protégé to contact the Department. I made contact and was informed of the distinguished honor your father has received. I informed the Department of your father’s death, and they would like to honor him through a family member. Your father’s emergency contact is listed as Rosalie Jones-Mitchell, but your father told me that I should reach out to you directly if anything ever happened to him. He told me the answers to the questions I just asked you and had me write them down to verify you by if I ever needed to. I think the only right thing to do is to have you accept the award in his honor.” Keith said and tears begin to fall down my face. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

“Wow, okay what do I have to do?” I asked and he exhaled deeply.

“Can you come to D.C. in May?” He asked and I smiled.

“Yes, classes end on May 16th. I will let my aunt know so she can be in attendance also.” I said and he took a deep breath.

“Your aunt was informed already via formal invitation.” He said and I wondered why she didn’t say anything to me regarding it.

“Oh, okay great. What else do I need to know? Do I need to confirm attendance or RSVP?” I asked and he went silent for a minute before finally responding.

“I will RSVP for you and send you all the details via email. What is your email address?” Keith asked me in an excited tone.

“KelseyJones02@g*******m” I said and he repeated it back to me.

“Well, that is all I need. I look forward to meeting you Miss Jones. Good Night!” Keith said before ending the call and I said good night.