Chapter 7 - Thirty Days
The formal repayment notice reached Elliot’s office the next morning.
Ryan was in the conference room when Elliot opened it.
“What is that?” Ryan asked.
“Nothing.”
Ryan took the document before Elliot could hide it.
After reading the first page, he looked up.
“Your father financed the company?”
“It was a personal loan.”
“An unpaid personal loan.”
“I was going to repay him.”
“When?”
Elliot did not answer.
Ryan continued reading.
“He needs the money for surgery?”
“This is family business.”
“No. This concerns the company because you personally guaranteed a loan used to establish it.”
Elliot lowered his voice.
“Don’t turn this into something bigger than it is.”
Ryan walked to the window and looked down at the SUV.
“The board is meeting this afternoon.”
“For what?”
“To review executive spending.”
Elliot’s confidence faltered.
“You can’t do that without me.”
“I already called the other members.”
By the end of the week, the company removed Elliot’s authority to approve major expenses without a second signature. The SUV was listed for sale. His golf membership was canceled.
Elliot blamed Arthur.
Then he blamed Claire.
Finally, he blamed Ryan.
He blamed everyone except himself.
The sale of the SUV produced enough money to cover overdue supplier accounts and part of Arthur’s loan. Under pressure from the board, Elliot agreed to a formal repayment schedule.
The first transfer was twenty-five thousand dollars.
Arthur saw the deposit while sitting at the kitchen table.
Claire smiled.
“That covers the hospital deposit.”
Arthur did not smile back.
“It feels like I stole it from him.”
“No. He kept it from you.”
Arthur looked toward Evelyn’s photograph.
“I wanted him to help because he loved me.”
May you like
Claire sat across from him.
“Maybe one day he will understand how. But you don’t have to risk your life while he learns.”
