Tangled Love

~ Chapter Three ~

I sat watching Kelsey a little while longer but didn’t disturb her while she was working. After an hour had passed by, I finally went to the counter to refill my Manndibrew and grabbed a muffin to go. This time I was alone, and I wanted to start up a small conversation with her but when I got to the counter, Omar was sending her to handle something in the back, so I placed my order with him instead then left the café and went to the library to do a little research on the death of her parents.

           As I read the article about Karen and Jonathan Jones plane crash, I felt bad reading Kelsey’s response in the article. It’s interesting that her parents’ wealth isn’t mentioned in the article, but I heard her say her aunt couldn’t get her father’s estate to released money to her. As I finished the article my phone began to vibrate in my pocket and when I looked at the caller ID I sighed in a bit of annoyance but answered the call anyway.

           “Hey Pops, what’s going on?” I said to my father as soon as I answered the call.

           “Hello Elias, when are your finals for this semester? I need you to come home the weekend after next for the groundbreaking of the new boutique hotel.” My father said in a proud tone, and I shook my head.

           “Finals ended yesterday, Pop, classes restart in two weeks. I can come for the weekend but I will have to be back on campus Sunday early afternoon.” I said and I could hear him sigh deeply.

           “Okay son, I think I can work with that. Can you come on Thursday? I have a few people I would like you to meet.” My father said and I chuckled.

           “Dad are you trying to match me with some rich spoiled brat again, because if so I will pass. I don’t have time to get involved with a girl right now.” I said and my father laughed.

           “This one is rich but not spoiled and she isn’t a brat. I’m sure you will like her.” He said then chuckled.

           “I’ll be the judge of that. Melinda worked my nerves and I ended things with her a few nights ago.” I said and my father laughed causing me to laugh.

           “Yes, I agree that one was a rich spoiled brat.” He said and I laughed again.

           “The worse!” I said and my father burst into laughter.

           My father and I talked a little while longer before ending the call. When I looked at the time, I realized it was already 7:00 pm and I had plans to meet Damien at the pool hall, so I gathered my things and walked to my dorm to drop everything off. I called Damien and told him I was on my way to the pool hall, and I would meet him there in thirty minutes. I arrived at the pool hall a little before 8:00 pm and I was surprised that Damien was early, and he brought Michael with him.

           “Hey Elias, do you want a beer?” Michael asked as he was walking away from the high table they were sitting at.

           “Yeah, I’ll take a Flat Tire Amber Ale.” I said and Michael nodded then walked off.

           “So, did you talk to her today? I know you were at Manndible’s today.” Damien said as soon as Michael was out of earshot.

           “No, I was going to, but Omar sent her to the back to handle something, so I ordered my muffin to go and refilled my Manndibrew then went to the library. Has Myra mentioned who her parents were? I think they or at least her father was well known but I can’t find anything on them except their plane crash and it only states Dr. & Mrs. Jones were yelling at the pilot to wake up and Dr. Jones asked for assistance to safely land the aircraft saying the pilot was unresponsive and the plane was dropping and fast.” I said and his eyes went wide.

           “That was all listed in the article?” Damien asked and I nodded.

           “Yes, that is what the little black box disclosed. Dr. Jones’s last words were please we’re going to die. Tell our daughter we love her dearly.” I said and Damien nodded his head.

           “I see why Myra asked me to help her. I didn’t know she had such a tough break, but I do know that she isn’t poor. I did a little research on her father,  Dr. Jones was a well-respected heart specialist and surgeon in Texas. He owned four small boutique hospitals in Irving, Texas and was known for his research on how to restore the heart valve without stints or surgery. They were returning from his Worldwide Distinguish Medical Research Award Dinner that was held in Matera, Italy. He was one of five medical researchers in the world to receive such an honor.” Damien said just as Michael returned with our beers and we changed the subject.

           “What I miss?” Michael asked and I smiled.

           “Nothing, we were talking about my father asking me to come home for a groundbreaking the weekend for classes start back up.” I said and Damien nodded.

           “You know that’s ‘The Art of Storytelling’ Communications Conference weekend, right?” Michael asked and I looked at him almost defeated because I knew I was forgetting something when I spoke to my dad earlier.

           “Damn it, I knew I was forgetting something. I have to figure something out. I definitely wanted to meet Ty Bennet and Kindra Hall.” I said with a deep sigh.

           “Don’t worry we will figure something out. The conference is Friday through Sunday, maybe you can go home Thursday and be back for the conference Saturday morning. Let me think of what we can tell your father. I will let you know by tomorrow afternoon.” Damien said and I nodded my head.

           We played several rounds of pool and had a couple more beers before calling it a night. When I got to my dorm, I couldn’t stop thinking about Kelsey. I laid on my bed looking up at the ceiling thinking about the sound of her voice, her smile, and her laughter that only Omar and her friend Annette seems to bring out of her. It’s the most infectious sound I have ever heard and hearing it just makes my heart smile. I finally fell asleep hours after lying down and was awakened by a phone call from my buddy back home.

           “Hey Kory, what’s going on? It’s 2:30 in the morning. Is everybody okay? Is it my dad?” I said fully waking up and sitting up on my bed.

           “Calm down man, everybody is fine. I’m calling you because I need a huge favor and I could only talk with you about it while I’m at work. My shift just started. I hear you are coming home in a week.” Kory said and I smiled.

           “Yes, but I forgot about a conference being held here that weekend so I may need to see if my dad can work with me on the schedule. What time is the groundbreaking? Do you know any of the details?” I asked him and he sighed.

           “The groundbreaking is Friday afternoon around 4:00 pm. I’m supposed to be interviewing with dean of admissions at Cornell that same Friday at 1:00 pm. I finally have enough credits to transfer there and in order for me to start in the Spring I can’t miss this interview. Can you see about the dean rescheduling it for Monday? I’m sure he would consider it if you ask him and blame it on your father as to why I can’t be there Friday.” Kory said and I could hear defeat in his tone.

           “I will see what I can do. No promises though. I’m about to go back to sleep. I’ll call you later.” I said.

           “Thank you. I owe you one man. Good night.” Kory said then ended the call and I turned over and went back to sleep.