That Was Savage!

*Grant*

I take another sip of my coffee and blink a few times. Grandmother Trudy will hate it if she thinks I’m falling asleep, but I’m so exhausted, staying awake is a challenge.

It has been recently, since the situation between Anna and I has changed. I’ve been up most nights, thinking about my wife.

Listening to her breathe.

“So that’s why we have to act fast,” Grandmother Trudy says, folding her hands in front of her. “If Savage Enterprises doesn’t agree to give us the property, we will have nowhere to build the new football stadium, and all of the materials we’ve already acquired will go to waste.”

All around me, the other members of the family nod enthusiastically, particularly my cousin Carson who has been trying his best to weasel his way into a high ranking position at the company since he graduated from business school two years after I did. He graduated second in his class–behind my wife. Since he started working for the family company, right after graduation, three years after I started, he’s everywhere I look. 

“Need some help with that account, Grant?”

“Want me to make a phone call for you, Grant?”

“Can I make a mock-up for you, Grant?”

And it’s not just me–he’s always following the other salesmen around, too, particularly my brother Scott, which drives him crazy. His mother, my aunt Myra, has never had a mind for business, and her husband retired after he lost the firm two million dollars on a bad contract a couple of years ago, so Carson is their only hope for taking over the family business one day.

Fat chance.

“Can I give Mr. Savage a call, Grandmother Trudy?” Carson asks. “I’m certain I can get a meeting with him.”

My eyes widen for the first time all morning, and I’m suddenly not tired anymore. I glance around the room and see other family members leaning forward in their chairs as well. Grandmother Trudy’s hands are still steepled in front of her, and she hasn’t moved yet.

Carson is about to get it.

“Oh?” Grandmother Trudy says in a tone those of us who’ve been around the block a bit recognize. “You can get a meeting with Sam Savage?” she asks.

Carson shrugs. “Sure, Grandmother. I’m certain I can, if you will allow it. How hard could it be?”

Somewhere to my left, another family member snickers. I’m not sure which of my cousins it is, since I have several in the room. It might be a second cousin, even, or maybe someone who’s just part of the family by marriage, but I’m glad Grandmother Trudy knows it wasn’t me.

Her eyes cut to the direction the snicker came from, and that side of the room is put on high alert.

When she returns her gaze to Carson, a small smile plays at her lips. “Why, yes, Carson. I think that would be a lovely idea.” She slides the office phone over to him. “Call him now.”

Carson’s eyes widen, and his confident grin slips slightly. “Right now? Grandmother, I thought I would call him from my office–”

“Now, Carson. Call Sam Savage right now, and ask him if you may have a meeting with him to talk about the lot at the corner of Percy and Maine. Go on.” She gives the phone another slight shove, and my cousin is doomed.

He just doesn’t know if for certain just yet.

Carson clears his throat and picks up the receiver. Beads of sweat begin to pop onto his forehead as his eyes crawl over all of us. “Does… anyone… have the… number?”

“It’s saved on the phone,” Grandmother assures him. “Speed dial number one.”

“Of course it is.” Carsono chuckles like a fish with a hook in its mouth being dragged ashore. “Okay then.”

He presses the button, and we all stare. Even though I know he got himself into this situation, my heart is still racing, and I have to wonder if we should call the emergency number. If he were any older, he might have cardiac arrest.

A moment later, we hear a muffled female voice. Grandmother reaches over and hits the speaker button, making Carson’s eyes bulge even more. He takes a shuddering breath, and it’s quite clear that he’s doing everything he can to pretend to be nonchalant.

“Mr. Savage’s office,” the woman says. “Who may I ask is calling?”

Another nervous chuckle escapes my cousin’s lips. “Uh… hey there, doll,” he begins, and I cringe, shaking my head and covering my eyes with my hand. He’s sealed his doom. “Who do I have the privilege of speaking with?”

“This is Poppy,” the woman says. “And I don’t have time for bullshit. Who is this please?”

Carson physically pulls back in his seat. He’s a relatively handsome man, I suppose, so he’s not used to being shot down so quickly. 

He hasn’t learned his lesson. Gathering his wits about him, he laughs again. “Poppy, Poppy my dear. I remember you. We had drinks at Rembries a few months ago. You remember me? Carson Young?”

Poppy’s not having it. “I’m sorry, Mr. Young, but I most certainly did not have drinks with you or any other member of the Young family. Mr. Savage is not taking calls right now. Goodbye.”

The phone clicks dead, and all of us make the same face, lips pursed, noses wrinkled, eyebrows nearly touching–like we’ve just drank from a pitcher of lemonade with no sugar added.

Tugging at his collar, Carson returns the useless receiver and slides the phone back to Grandmother. Her face is unreadable, but I know what she’s thinking.

When she finally speaks, she asks a question I’ve heard too many times recently, especially since it’s usually directed at my wife. “Why is this family so full of failures?”

None of us answer, of course. A few chairs squeak as bottoms are readjusted on cushions.

“I am an old woman,” Grandmother Trudy begins. “I will be eighty soon. I cannot stay around and run this company forever. Therefore, I will require some assistance from some of you, my family members, at some point. Will one of you, please, do something to impress me? Get your heads out of your asses and figure out how to save this account.” She slaps her palm on the table, and we all answer, “Yes, Grandmother Trudy,” whether she is precisely our grandmother or not.

With that, she gestures at the door, a sign that we are to leave. She shifts in her seat, making a low moaning noise, like her bones are settling, and I hesitate for a moment. I want to tell her I’d like a try, but now isn’t the time. If only I could find a way to speak to Sam Savage. Then, perhaps I could find a way to have a more meaningful position in the family.

And if I had that… maybe Anna would, too.