“Do you mind if I join you?”
Surprised, I startle. Simon Baker stands in front of me, rain dripping from his hair onto his shoulders. Didn’t my face announce that I want people to leave me alone? His voice sends a chill down my spine, even though he acts the perfect gentleman. Something is off but I can’t put my finger on it. Am I picking up something fishy or am I still smarting from my visit to the police?
Since we’ve achieved the current level of integration, I’ve lost my ability to see into people’s hearts when I touch them. Not that I’m unhappy about it. Not at all. It was always more of a nuisance than a blessing. Although, this would be the perfect situation to check whether he’s trustworthy. I point to the empty chair.
“You’re welcome. It’s wet outside, isn’t it?”
“Typical West Coast. I’m used to it. I heard they found a skeleton in your garden?”
I’m not surprised he knows about it. The news must have spread like wildfire in the community.
“Not in the garden, but yes, we did find a skeleton. Good to know the bush-telegraph is working alright.”
“Creepy, was it?”
“At least it’s clear now someone murdered my aunt.”
“Does the police have any clues yet?”
What is it with people’s fascination with bad stories? What happened to how are you doing or I haven’t seen you for a while?
“If they do they are not telling me. I guess we’ll be told soon enough.”
“Maybe now is a good time to think about selling?”
“I congratulate you on your timing. It took you all of four sentences to feed in your sales pitch. Have you anything other on your mind than getting me to sell?”
I’m annoyed. With him for having such a one-track mind and with myself for hoping people could be interested in me instead the dramas connected to our person. It’s silly to be annoyed. After all, I’m not looking for friends.
“Not, it’s my job. Otherwise, I won’t survive. When we talked a while ago your objection was you thought Gateway was not a reputable group and you don’t want to do business with them.”
At least he’s not pretending all is well. That’s a plus on his score-sheet. I’m happy to be similarly candid.
“That’s right and I haven’t changed my mind.”
A smug smirk spreads over his face. “I understand. I talked to the leadership of Gateway yesterday and they’ve invited you to visit anytime. They are proud of what they’ve achieved in the last twelve months and are convinced you would be impressed too. Don’t forget, it’s all to improve the well-being of disadvantaged children.”
That particular argument isn’t new. Gateway used it for years to camouflage the operations in their community. I will not fall into that trap. How does the saying go? Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.
“I’m not interested at the moment.”
“I heard you can’t go ahead with your building plans because of the investigation.”
He looks at me like a sly fox that has his next chicken backed into the corner. I’ll show him I’m not a chicken.
“You know quite a bit for someone who ‘accidentally’ ran into me. Are you stalking me?”
He laughs out loud. “No, not really. I do have other things to do than watch you come and go. I thought because the police and the shitty weather are delaying your building progress, using the opportunity to check out the new Gateway is a good use of your time. No?”
His point is sensible. I like sensible. It’s much easier to understand than emotions. If we are selling Wright’s, it’ll make sense to know more about the buyer. Simon Barker, the sly fox, notices that I hesitate. His eyes light up. He’s keen to get a slice of this business.
“Today would be good. They give a community concert after lunch. You’ll get to meet a lot of people and can form your own opinion, independently of me gushing about the place.”
“Okay, I give in. For once you make sense. You can give Gateway a call and ask if it’s convenient if we come for a viewing.”
“Raymond Feldman is the manager now. He’s very keen on creating a good image to counteract the bad news that came through the court case.”
While he waits for the phone connection, he gives me another lecture.
“Eugene Seagar, your father, always talked about Wright’s Homestead going to Gateway. The outdoor program is Gateway’s signature project. It’s a rite of passage that makes men out of boys, and strong women out of girls. It would be so great for young people to heal and begin a new phase of their life. They also get government funding and you can imagine that’s not an easy thing to achieve without thorough scrutiny.”
I sit with a queasy feeling in my stomach while Simon is waiting for his call to connect.
Gateway.
Many of my younger parts have bad memories of that place. They might have left for the sanctuary, but their experiences are not lost. Lilly and I have absorbed them. We carry their legacy and we must defend their interests. Should I risk being triggered again?
However, if it’s like Simon describes, a sale could benefit young people and Scott and I get to have a fresh start in a new place. A thought crosses my mind not to go alone and take Scott with me. That’s a sensible idea. It must have come from Sky. As always, she’s looking out for us. I wish I could hear Sky like I used to.
“I want my partner Scott to come with us. He will have to agree to any sale.”
I’m assessing Simon’s reaction. He doesn’t show any ill feelings about my suggestion. “That’s a perfect idea. Ring him and tell him they invited you both to join the lunch-concert with a guided tour afterward. We’ll pick him up on our way.”
Scott is not at all against a visit and when
