Chapter 6: The Price of Being Chosen
Marcus listened to the recording four times.
By the fourth time, he had written down every sentence.
He sent a copy to David and to Nora.
listened to the recording four times.
By the fourth time, he had written down every sentence.
He sent a copy to David and to Nora.
Then he called the family attorney.
Her name was Rebecca Shaw.
She had reviewed the trust documents that morning and had already warned Marcus against making any sudden moves concerning the house.
"Don't confront Vanessa with the recording until we'veThen he called the family attorney.
Her name was Rebecca Shaw.
She had reviewed the trust documents that morning and had already warned Marcus against making any sudden moves concerning the house.
"Don't confront Vanessa with the recording until we've discussed how to preserve it," Rebecca said over the phone.
"She and her mother are talking about transferring the property.""
"I discussed how to preserve it," Rebecca said over the phone.
"She and her mother are talking about transferring the property.""
"I heard the clip. We need the complete original file, including its creation date and metadata. Don't edit it or send it through an app that strips that information.""
"Can you stop the transfer?""
"We'll contact the relevant institutions and determine whether heard the clip. We need the complete original file, including its creation date and metadata. Don't edit it or send it through an app that strips that information.""
"Can you stop the transfer?""
"We'll contact the relevant institutions and determine whether any valid application exists. But I need you to understand something: a document being prepared doesn't mean a property has legally changed any valid application exists. But I need you to understand something: a document being prepared doesn't mean a property has legally changed ownership.""
Marcus looked toward the living room.
"How do I protect Lily?""
"Make sure the school has written instructions. Keep her with you whenever possible. Don't let anyone take her out of the area without your knowledge. And don't involve the boys ownership.""
Marcus looked toward the living room.
"How do I protect Lily?""
"Make sure the school has written instructions. Keep her with you whenever possible. Don't let anyone take her out of the area without your knowledge. And don't involve the boys in collecting evidence.""
Marcus glanced toward Ethan, who was standing in the kitchen doorway.
"I understand.""
Rebecca continued.
"One other question. Does Vanessa have access to in collecting evidence.""
Marcus glanced toward Ethan, who was standing in the kitchen doorway.
"I understand.""
Rebecca continued.
"One other question. Does Vanessa have access to your financial accounts?""
"Some shared accounts. Not the separate trust.""
"Change your passwords, enable additional verification, and notify your bank that no your financial accounts?""
"Some shared accounts. Not the separate trust.""
"Change your passwords, enable additional verification, and notify your bank that no property-related documents should be accepted without direct confirmation from you.""
Marcus thanked her.
When he ended the call, Ethan was still property-related documents should be accepted without direct confirmation from you.""
Marcus thanked her.
When he ended the call, Ethan was still standing there.
"Is Dad in trouble?"" the boy asked.
Marcus shook his head.
"No. But there's something important I want you to understand.""
Ethan waited.
"Whatever happens between your mother and me, you standing there.
"Is Dad in trouble?"" the boy asked.
Marcus shook his head.
"No. But there's something important I want you to understand.""
Ethan waited.
"Whatever happens between your mother and me, you and Noah are still my family. Nobody is asking you to leave. Nobody is asking you to choose.""
Ethan's shoulders relaxed and Noah are still my family. Nobody is asking you to leave. Nobody is asking you to choose.""
Ethan's shoulders relaxed slightly.
"Can Lily stay?""
Marcus looked at him.
"That's her home.""
Ethan nodded.
Then he whispered, "Good.""
That afternoon, Marcus picked Lily up from school.
She came running through the main entrance, her backpack bouncing slightly.
"Can Lily stay?""
Marcus looked at him.
"That's her home.""
Ethan nodded.
Then he whispered, "Good.""
That afternoon, Marcus picked Lily up from school.
She came running through the main entrance, her backpack bouncing against her shoulders.
"Daddy!""
He crouched and caught her.
"There's my girl.""
She wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Guess what?""
"What?""
"I got a star on my reading sheet.""
"Another one?""
"Three!""
Marcus held up his hand.
"That's against her shoulders.
"Daddy!""
He crouched and caught her.
"There's my girl.""
She wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Guess what?""
"What?""
"I got a star on my reading sheet.""
"Another one?""
"Three!""
Marcus held up his hand.
"That's three high-fives.""
She slapped his palm three times, laughing.
Then she noticed his expression.
"Are you sad?""
Marcus smiled.
"Just three high-fives.""
She slapped his palm three times, laughing.
Then she noticed his expression.
"Are you sad?""
Marcus smiled.
"Just thinking.""
"About Mommy?""
He nodded.
"Sometimes.""
Lily reached into her backpack and pulled out a folded piece of paper.
"I drew something.""
She thinking.""
"About Mommy?""
He nodded.
"Sometimes.""
Lily reached into her backpack and pulled out a folded piece of paper.
"I drew something.""
She handed it to him.
It was a family portrait.
There were five people.
Marcus.
Lily.
Ethan.
Noah.
And a woman with long brown hair holding Lily's hand.
Marcus recognized the woman immediately.
handed it to him.
It was a family portrait.
There were five people.
Marcus.
Lily.
Ethan.
Noah.
And a woman with long brown hair holding Lily's hand.
Marcus recognized the woman immediately.
Olivia.
He stared at the drawing.
"You drew Mommy?""
Lily nodded.
"My teacher said we could draw our families.""
Marcus swallowed.
"That's beautiful.""
"But I didn't draw Vanessa.""
He looked at her.
"Why not?""
Olivia.
He stared at the drawing.
"You drew Mommy?""
Lily nodded.
"My teacher said we could draw our families.""
Marcus swallowed.
"That's beautiful.""
"But I didn't draw Vanessa.""
He looked at her.
"Why not?""
Lily shrugged.
"Because she doesn't like being in pictures with me.""
Marcus closed his eyes for a moment.
He wanted to explain that family couldLily shrugged.
"Because she doesn't like being in pictures with me.""
Marcus closed his eyes for a moment.
He wanted to explain that family could be complicated.
That some people made mistakes.
That being related or married didn't automatically make someone kind.
Instead, he folded the drawing carefully and placed it inside his jacket.
"I'm be complicated.
That some people made mistakes.
That being related or married didn't automatically make someone kind.
Instead, he folded the drawing carefully and placed it inside his jacket.
"I'm glad you drew the people who make you feel loved.""
Lily smiled.
"Can we put it on the refrigerator?""
"Absolutely.""
She took his hand.
Then they walked toward the car.
At the school gate, a woman from the administration office called his glad you drew the people who make you feel loved.""
Lily smiled.
"Can we put it on the refrigerator?""
"Absolutely.""
She took his hand.
Then they walked toward the car.
At the school gate, a woman from the administration office called his name.
"Mr. Reed?""
Marcus turned.
"Yes?""
"Could you come inside for a moment? There's something we need to verify regarding Lily's enrollment.""
His stomach tightened.
"What is it?""
The woman looked uncomfortable name.
"Mr. Reed?""
Marcus turned.
"Yes?""
"Could you come inside for a moment? There's something we need to verify regarding Lily's enrollment.""
His stomach tightened.
"What is it?""
The woman looked uncomfortable.
"We received a request to transfer her records to another elementary school.""
Marcus stared at her.
"From whom?""
"Your wife.""
"Did she have my authorization?""
The administrator checked.
"We received a request to transfer her records to another elementary school.""
Marcus stared at her.
"From whom?""
"Your wife.""
"Did she have my authorization?""
The administrator checked the form.
"She submitted a consent document with your signature.""
Marcus felt his blood run cold.
"I did not sign it.""
The woman immediately the form.
"She submitted a consent document with your signature.""
Marcus felt his blood run cold.
"I did not sign it.""
The woman immediately looked concerned.
"Oh. Then we need to flag the request.""
Marcus placed a hand on Lily's shoulder.
"Has anything been changed?""
"No. Nothing has been transferred. We were waiting for confirmation because the request involved a change of address looked concerned.
"Oh. Then we need to flag the request.""
Marcus placed a hand on Lily's shoulder.
"Has anything been changed?""
"No. Nothing has been transferred. We were waiting for confirmation because the request involved a change of address.""
Marcus nodded.
"Please put a hold on all transfer requests until you receive written authorization directly from me or my attorney.""
"Of course.""
He signed a written instruction.
Then he asked for a copy of the submitted.""
Marcus nodded.
"Please put a hold on all transfer requests until you receive written authorization directly from me or my attorney.""
"Of course.""
He signed a written instruction.
Then he asked for a copy of the submitted request.
The administrator handed him the document.
At the bottom was his name.
The signature looked almost perfect.
Almost.
Marcus recognized the same mistake Nora had identified.
The final stroke was too long.
Someone had copied his request.
The administrator handed him the document.
At the bottom was his name.
The signature looked almost perfect.
Almost.
Marcus recognized the same mistake Nora had identified.
The final stroke was too long.
Someone had copied his signature.
Again.
He took Lily home without discussing the matter in front of her.
Vanessa was sitting at the kitchen island when they signature.
Again.
He took Lily home without discussing the matter in front of her.
Vanessa was sitting at the kitchen island when they arrived.
She looked up from her phone.
"You're back early.""
Marcus placed the school transfer request on the counter.
"Did you submit this?""
Vanessa barely glanced at it.
"I was looking into a school closer to my mother's house arrived.
She looked up from her phone.
"You're back early.""
Marcus placed the school transfer request on the counter.
"Did you submit this?""
Vanessa barely glanced at it.
"I was looking into a school closer to my mother's house.""
"Why?""
"Because it's a better environment.""
"Did you forge my signature?""
Her head snapped up.
"Excuse me?""
"That signature is not mine.""
Vanessa rolled.""
"Why?""
"Because it's a better environment.""
"Did you forge my signature?""
Her head snapped up.
"Excuse me?""
"That signature is not mine.""
Vanessa rolled her eyes.
"Don't be ridiculous. You gave me permission to handle school matters.""
"I gave you permission to attend parent meetings and pick up homework. I did not give you permission to transfer my daughter.""
She pushed her eyes.
"Don't be ridiculous. You gave me permission to handle school matters.""
"I gave you permission to attend parent meetings and pick up homework. I did not give you permission to transfer my daughter.""
She pushed her phone aside.
"You're acting like I kidnapped her.""
"You submitted false paperwork.""
"It was an inquiry!""
"The school received a transfer request.""
Vanessa folded her arms.
"Marcus, you need her phone aside.
"You're acting like I kidnapped her.""
"You submitted false paperwork.""
"It was an inquiry!""
"The school received a transfer request.""
Vanessa folded her arms.
"Marcus, you need to calm down.""
He placed the second page beside the first.
"Explain this.""
Her expression shifted.
For a moment, she seemed to to calm down.""
He placed the second page beside the first.
"Explain this.""
Her expression shifted.
For a moment, she seemed to search for an answer.
Then she said, "My mother thought Lily would be happier near her.""
"Why?""
"Because she could have more attention.""
"From whom?""
"From people who aren't constantly fighting about her.""
Marcus stared search for an answer.
Then she said, "My mother thought Lily would be happier near her.""
"Why?""
"Because she could have more attention.""
"From whom?""
"From people who aren't constantly fighting about her.""
Marcus stared at her.
"She's six. She's not the reason adults are fighting.""
Vanessa stood.
"You're blind to what this has done to me.""
"What at her.
"She's six. She's not the reason adults are fighting.""
Vanessa stood.
"You're blind to what this has done to me.""
"What has it done to you?""
"I can't even have a quiet evening with my own children without worrying that Lily will walk in and demand something.""
"She's a child.""
"Exactly. She always needs something.""
Marcus shook his head.
"She needs the has it done to you?""
"I can't even have a quiet evening with my own children without worrying that Lily will walk in and demand something.""
"She's a child.""
"Exactly. She always needs something.""
Marcus shook his head.
"She needs the adults around her to behave like adults.""
Vanessa grabbed her phone.
"You're impossible.""
She walked toward the stairs.
"Where are you going?""
"To get my things.""
Marcus didn't move.
Rebecca had adults around her to behave like adults.""
Vanessa grabbed her phone.
"You're impossible.""
She walked toward the stairs.
"Where are you going?""
"To get my things.""
Marcus didn't move.
Rebecca had advised him not to attempt to remove Vanessa from the house without proper legal guidance.
He would follow that advice.
But he wasn't going to pretend they were still living as a normal married couple.
"Use the advised him not to attempt to remove Vanessa from the house without proper legal guidance.
He would follow that advice.
But he wasn't going to pretend they were still living as a normal married couple.
"Use the guest room," he said.
"I'm speaking with the attorney tomorrow.""
Vanessa stopped.
"You're really going to make me sleep in another room?""
"You made arrangements to send my daughter away without my guest room," he said.
"I'm speaking with the attorney tomorrow.""
Vanessa stopped.
"You're really going to make me sleep in another room?""
"You made arrangements to send my daughter away without my knowledge.""
"I was trying to find a solution.""
"Then you should have discussed it with her father.""
Vanessa turned around.
"You think Lily is the only knowledge.""
"I was trying to find a solution.""
"Then you should have discussed it with her father.""
Vanessa turned around.
"You think Lily is the only person who matters?""
"No. But she is the child you're trying to move.""
Vanessa walked upstairs.
A few seconds later, a bedroom door slammed.
That evening, Marcus found Lily sitting at the kitchen table with a sheet of paper and a person who matters?""
"No. But she is the child you're trying to move.""
Vanessa walked upstairs.
A few seconds later, a bedroom door slammed.
That evening, Marcus found Lily sitting at the kitchen table with a sheet of paper and a box of crayons.
She was drawing another picture.
This time there was a house.
A blue car.
Two boys.
A man.
And a little girl holding a balloon.
Marcus pulled out a chair.
"What are box of crayons.
She was drawing another picture.
This time there was a house.
A blue car.
Two boys.
A man.
And a little girl holding a balloon.
Marcus pulled out a chair.
"What are you drawing?""
"Our house.""
He smiled.
"Who's the little girl?""
"Me.""
"Who's the man?""
"Daddy.""
"Who's that?""
"That's Ethan.""
"And Noah?""
"He's the one with the funny hair.""
Marcus laughed you drawing?""
"Our house.""
He smiled.
"Who's the little girl?""
"Me.""
"Who's the man?""
"Daddy.""
"Who's that?""
"That's Ethan.""
"And Noah?""
"He's the one with the funny hair.""
Marcus laughed.
"That's accurate.""
Lily colored the roof.
Then she asked, "Is Vanessa moving?""
Marcus paused.
"She and I are having some grown-up conversations.""
"Is she going to take Ethan and Noah?""
"No.
"That's accurate.""
Lily colored the roof.
Then she asked, "Is Vanessa moving?""
Marcus paused.
"She and I are having some grown-up conversations.""
"Is she going to take Ethan and Noah?""
"No, sweetheart. They're her children. They'll be with her, and they'll still see me too.""
Lily nodded.
"Will I still see them?""
"Of course.""
She continued coloring.
Then, without looking, sweetheart. They're her children. They'll be with her, and they'll still see me too.""
Lily nodded.
"Will I still see them?""
"Of course.""
She continued coloring.
Then, without looking up, she said, "I don't want them to be sad because of me.""
Marcus moved closer.
"Why would you think that?""
"Because Vanessa said everything would up, she said, "I don't want them to be sad because of me.""
Marcus moved closer.
"Why would you think that?""
"Because Vanessa said everything would be easier if I lived somewhere else.""
He took the crayon from her hand and placed it on the table.
"Look at me, Lily.""
She looked up.
"You are not a problem that needs to be moved.""
Her eyes filled.
be easier if I lived somewhere else.""
He took the crayon from her hand and placed it on the table.
"Look at me, Lily.""
She looked up.
"You are not a problem that needs to be moved.""
Her eyes filled.
"Promise?""
Marcus reached across the table.
"Promise.""
She leaned against him.
For a while, neither spoke.
Then Lily whispered,"Promise?""
Marcus reached across the table.
"Promise.""
She leaned against him.
For a while, neither spoke.
Then Lily whispered, "Can I tell you something else?""
"Anything.""
"Vanessa asked me to pack my blue suitcase last week.""
Marcus stopped breathing for a moment.
"When?""
"After you went to work. She said I might "Can I tell you something else?""
"Anything.""
"Vanessa asked me to pack my blue suitcase last week.""
Marcus stopped breathing for a moment.
"When?""
"After you went to work. She said I might have to visit Aunt Claire.""
"Did she tell you when?""
"She said soon.""
"Did she help you pack?""
Lily nodded.
"She put my pajamas in it. And have to visit Aunt Claire.""
"Did she tell you when?""
"She said soon.""
"Did she help you pack?""
Lily nodded.
"She put my pajamas in it. And my rabbit. But she told me not to tell you because it was a surprise.""
Marcus felt anger rise in his chest.
He forced himself to stay calm.
"Where is the suitcase?""
Lily pointed toward the hallway.
"In the garage.""
Marcus kissed my rabbit. But she told me not to tell you because it was a surprise.""
Marcus felt anger rise in his chest.
He forced himself to stay calm.
"Where is the suitcase?""
Lily pointed toward the hallway.
"In the garage.""
Marcus kissed her forehead.
"Thank you for telling me.""
He waited until Lily went upstairs before checking the garage.
The blue suitcase was behind her forehead.
"Thank you for telling me.""
He waited until Lily went upstairs before checking the garage.
The blue suitcase was behind a shelf, exactly where she had said it would be.
Inside were three pairs of pajamas, underwear, a a shelf, exactly where she had said it would be.
Inside were three pairs of pajamas, underwear, a toothbrush, her rabbit, and a small framed photograph of Olivia.
There was also a folded note.
Marcus opened it.
*Claire will collect Lily at 8:30 toothbrush, her rabbit, and a small framed photograph of Olivia.
There was also a folded note.
Marcus opened it.
Claire will collect Lily at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. Tell the school she is visiting family. Don't discuss the longer arrangement until everything is finalized.
The note was written in Vanessa's handwriting.
Marcus read it twice.
Saturday was two days away.
He photographed the note and returned a.m. Saturday. Tell the school she is visiting family. Don't discuss the longer arrangement until everything is finalized.*
The note was written in Vanessa's handwriting.
Marcus read it twice.
Saturday was two days away.
He photographed the note and returned everything exactly as he had found it.
Then he called Rebecca.
When he finished everything exactly as he had found it.
Then he called Rebecca.
When he finished explaining explaining, she spoke firmly.
"Do not wait until Saturday. We'll send written notice to the school and make sure the emergency pickup authorization is clear. You should also contact your sister directly.""
Marcus called Claire.
She answered on the fourth ring.
"Hey, big brother. What's up?""
, she spoke firmly.
"Do not wait until Saturday. We'll send written notice to the school and make sure the emergency pickup authorization is clear. You should also contact your sister directly.""
Marcus called Claire.
She answered on the fourth ring.
"Hey, big brother. What's up?""
"Claire, did Vanessa contact you about Lily?""
There was a pause.
"Yes.""
Marcus closed his eyes.
"What did"Claire, did Vanessa contact you about Lily?""
There was a pause.
"Yes.""
Marcus closed his eyes.
"What did she say?""
"She said you were considering sending Lily to stay with me for a few weeks. She asked whether I could take her.""
"Did you agree?""
"Of course I said I'd help if you needed me. Why?""
Marcus explained what had happened.
Claire was silent for several seconds.
Then she said, "Marcus, there's something I haven't told you.""
"What?""
"Vanessa called me three weeks ago. She said Lily was having behavioral problems and that you were overwhelmed.""
Marcus gripped the phone.
"Behavioral problems?""
"She said Lily was becoming difficult to manage, and that you were worried you couldn't give her everything she needed.""
Marcus stared at she say?""
"She said you were considering sending Lily to stay with me for a few weeks. She asked whether I could take her.""
"Did you agree?""
"Of course I said I'd help if you needed me. Why?""
Marcus explained what had happened.
Claire was silent for several seconds.
Then she said, "Marcus, there's something I haven't told you.""
"What?""
"Vanessa called me three weeks ago. She said Lily was having behavioral problems and that you were overwhelmed.""
Marcus gripped the phone.
"Behavioral problems?""
"She said Lily was becoming difficult to manage, and that you were worried you couldn't give her everything she needed.""
Marcus stared at the garage floor.
"Did you believe her?""
"Not really. But then she told me you had asked her to find out whether Lily could stay with me temporarily.""
"I never said that.""
"I know that now.""
"Why didn't you call me?""
Claire's voice softened.
"Because I thought it was the garage floor.
"Did you believe her?""
"Not really. But then she told me you had asked her to find out whether Lily could stay with me temporarily.""
"I never said that.""
"I know that now.""
"Why didn't you call me?""
Claire's voice softened.
"Because I thought it was something you and Vanessa had already discussed. I'm sorry.""
Marcus rubbed his forehead.
"Did she mention anything about the house?""
"Yes.""
He went still.
"What?""
"She asked whether I would be interested in purchasing your share if you ever decided to sell.""
Marcus slowly turned toward the suitcase.
"She asked you to buy part of the house?""
"She said there might be a family arrangement something you and Vanessa had already discussed. I'm sorry.""
Marcus rubbed his forehead.
"Did she mention anything about the house?""
"Yes.""
He went still.
"What?""
"She asked whether I would be interested in purchasing your share if you ever decided to sell.""
Marcus slowly turned toward the suitcase.
"She asked you to buy part of the house?""
"She said there might be a family arrangement.""
"Did she explain.""
"Did she explain what kind?""
"No. She just said your finances were complicated and that you might need help.""
Marcus ended the call after thanking his sister.
He stood in the garage for several minutes.
The suitcase sat open on the floor.
He imagined Lily being taken away from her school, her bedroom, her friends, and the only home she had known since her mother died.
what kind?""
"No. She just said your finances were complicated and that you might need help.""
Marcus ended the call after thanking his sister.
He stood in the garage for several minutes.
The suitcase sat open on the floor.
He imagined Lily being taken away from her school, her bedroom, her friends, and the only home she had known since her mother died.
He imagined her believing that she was being sent away because she wasn't good enough to stay.
His phone vibrated.
A message from Claire appeared.
*Claire: Marcus, I found something else. Vanessa sent me a document when she first asked about Lily. I didn't understand why she wanted me to sign it, so I saved it.*
A photograph followed.
Marcus opened it.
The document was titled:
**TEMPORARY CARE AGREEMENT AND PROPERTY SETHe imagined her believing that she was being sent away because she wasn't good enough to stay.
His phone vibrated.
A message from Claire appeared.
*Claire: Marcus, I found something else. Vanessa sent me a document when she first asked about Lily. I didn't understand why she wanted me to sign it, so I saved it.*
A photograph followed.
Marcus opened it.
The document was titled:
*TEMPORARY CARE AGREEMENT AND PROPERTY SETTLEMENT ACKNOWLEDGMENT.*
The first section appointed Claire as Lily's temporary caregiver.
The second section discussed property ownership.
The third section contained a line for MarcusTLEMENT ACKNOWLEDGMENT.**
The first section appointed Claire as Lily's temporary caregiver.
The second section discussed property ownership.
The third section contained a line for Marcus's signature.
But at the bottom, there was something else.
A statement indicating that Marcus had agreed to release his future claim to a portion of the family home in exchange for financial support during the's signature.
But at the bottom, there was something else.
A statement indicating that Marcus had agreed to release his future claim to a portion of the family home in exchange for financial support during the temporary placement.
He stared at it.
Claire called immediately.
"Marcus?""
His voice was barely audible.
"Did you sign this?""
"No. I told Vanessa I wouldn't sign temporary placement.
He stared at it.
Claire called immediately.
"Marcus?""
His voice was barely audible.
"Did you sign this?""
"No. I told Vanessa I wouldn't sign anything without speaking to you.""
He stared at the signature line.
Someone had already placed his name beneath it.
And beside his signature was a witness name.
Richard Cole.
The same man anything without speaking to you.""
He stared at the signature line.
Someone had already placed his name beneath it.
And beside his signature was a witness name.
Richard Cole.
The same man from Ethan's recording.
Marcus looked at the phone.
"Claire, do you know who Richard Cole is?""
She hesitated.
Then she answered.
"Yes. He's the real estate broker your wife has been meeting.""
Marcus's blood ran from Ethan's recording.
Marcus looked at the phone.
"Claire, do you know who Richard Cole is?""
She hesitated.
Then she answered.
"Yes. He's the real estate broker your wife has been meeting.""
Marcus's blood ran cold.
Because now he understood why Vanessa had wanted Lily out of the house.
She wasn't simply planning to move his daughter.
She was preparing to sell the home while cold.
Because now he understood why Vanessa had wanted Lily out of the house.
She wasn't simply planning to move his daughter.
She was preparing to sell the home while making it look as though he had agreed to everything.
And the meeting with Richard Cole wasn't scheduled for next month.
It was scheduled for Saturday morning.
making it look as though he had agreed to everything.
May you like
And the meeting with Richard Cole wasn't scheduled for next month.
It was scheduled for Saturday morning.
