He's Dead

*Grant*

“That’s all right, Ms. Green. Thank you for your time.” I sigh and hang up the phone. I’ve called about fifteen people now who have properties for sale in areas where Savage Enterprises operates frequently to see if any of them can tell me if they’ve been approached by Sam Savage. So far, all of them have said no.

It’s quite strange. It’s almost as if Savage Enterprises isn’t working on anything at the moment–except for keeping a stranglehold on the property Grandmother Trudy so desperately wants.

Another thought occurs to me, and I find myself picking up my cell phone and dialing a number I haven’t contacted in many years. But the fact that this was Anna’s idea in the first place reminds me of someone who might be able to help.

“Cliff Jones,” the man on the other end of the call says. “Who is this, please?”

I guess it’s been so long since I’ve spoken to Anna’s friend from her university days that he no longer has my number in his phone. We had a class or two together, but we weren’t friends. Not like they were.

Everyone who knew Anna when she was in university liked her.

“Hi, Cliff,” I begin, trying to sound chipper and not let the defeat I’m beginning to feel sink in . “This is Grant Young, Anna Williams Young’s husband.” I pause for a second, hoping he’ll say something helpful, like he remembers who I am–but he doesn’t. “How are you today?”

“Honestly, Grant, I’m not doing well,” he says, and I hear a sadness in his voice I hadn’t picked up on when he answered the phone. “I suppose you’re calling to give your condolences, though, I have to imagine that everyone at Young Corporation is happy to hear the news.”

My forehead crinkles as I try to figure out what in the world he’s referring to. “Excuse me?” I ask. “I’m sorry–I’m not sure I know what you’re talking about. I was just calling because I remembered that you work for Savage Enterprises, and I was hoping you could help me with a problem. But… is something the matter?”

“Seriously, Grant? We haven’t spoken for all these years, and you just happen to pick today to call me? The day after the worst day in Savage Enterprises history?” I hear him scoff. “I don’t buy that.”

“The worst day in…” My voice trails off. I don’t know what he’s talking about.

“I know that word hasn’t hit the news outlets yet, but being a part of the industry, you must’ve heard about Mr. Savage already. It’s an awful tragedy, and we are all trying to figure out what to do next. We have no idea who will lead the company now. Such a tragedy. He was only fifty-two.”

It hits me then that there’s only one thing that Cliff can be talking about.

Sam Savage is dead.

I should feel elated. I should feel the weight of the world rolling off my shoulders. After all, Sam has been the bane of Grandmother Trudy’s existence for decades. He’s been her biggest competitor, the brains of that entire operation, and the one person who can block Young Corporation’s next move at every turn.

But I don’t feel happy. Instead, I feel sorry for Cliff and the others who cared about Sam Savage. He wasn’t that old. Grandmother Trudy is far older than him. He never got to retire or enjoy a family. As far as I know, he had no wife or children. What a pity.

“I am genuinely sorry to hear that, Cliff,” I tell him. “I honestly didn’t know. I just thought of you because Anna mentioned the possibility that Young Corporation might be able to work a deal with Savage Enterprises that we’d both be happy about since we’ve been unsuccessful in getting the property we’ve been trying to acquire for so many months, but all of that seems unimportant now.”

He’s quiet for a moment before he says, “I actually believe you mean that, Grant. Maybe you’re not the complete prick I’ve taken you to be since you married Anna.”

Now it’s my turn to be quiet. “I’m sorry?” I finally ask.

“Oh, come on. It’s no secret you don’t appreciate her. She graduated at the top of her class. And what do you do? Keep her at home doing nothing while Young Corporation struggles with new projects. You have to know she’d be a huge benefit to your company, and if you can’t see that, well, then you’re an idiot. Sorry to be so blunt, but Anna was my friend, and I hate the way she’s been mistreated. If I am ever lucky enough to have a wife like Anna, well, I’ll appreciate her, I tell you that much.”

I take a deep breath before I say, “You’re absolutely right, Cliff. Anna should be here working with us. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. If I am ever in charge of the company–”

He interrupts me. “That’s bullshit, Grant, and you know it. You don’t have the balls to stand up to that old woman and tell her she’s making a mistake? Then, that’s on you. Anyway, we’re not doing any business today. If I think of anything that might help you, I’ll call you back. But not for your sake, for Anna’s.” With that, he hangs up.

I’m left sitting at my desk for a long moment wondering what the hell just happened. He’s not wrong, though, and I know it. Anna does deserve much better than she’s getting.

After the daze wears off, I get up and stroll to Grandmother Trudy’s office. She’s barking orders at her secretary. I wait for the woman to leave the room and Grandmother to acknowledge me. She squirms uncomfortably in her seat, but I don’t ask her if she’s all right. She hates that. “What is it, Grant?” She manages a pleasant smile for me despite the anger she just spewed at her secretary.

“I just heard some interesting news, Grandmother,” I begin, a solemn tone filling my voice as I think about the poor man who passed away. “Sam Savage is dead.”

She stares at me with her mouth agape for a long moment. “Are you sure?”

Nodding, I say, “I just spoke to Cliff Jones. He was genuinely upset, so he wasn’t lying to me.”

“What happened?” she asks.

“I don’t know–”

I can’t even get the sentend out before she’s laughing, actually laughing. My eyes bulge, and I begin to wonder if I know Grandmother Trudy at all. “This is wonderful news! Get Flora back in here. We need a cake to celebrate!”

As her secretary comes back into the room, I retreat. How am I even related to these people?