Broadway Baby (10 page)

“Do you want to sell the apartment or rent it out?” Shelby asked as Lily transitioned to her lap.

“I don’t know.” Lily shifted and ducked her head under Shelby’s chin. “A part of me thinks I should hold onto it and use the extra income leasing it would bring, but another part just wants to let that piece of my life go. It hasn’t been very happy up until now.”

“Oh baby.” Shelby moved and gave Lily a gentle kiss before allowing the younger woman to get comfortable again. “Then go ahead and put it on the market, furnished if you want, and if the new owners don’t want your things, donate them.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah, you can put the money you make into a rainy day account.”

“Sounds good,” Lily smiled.

“How about your paycheck? Where does it go right now?”

“Um,” Lily hesitated and Shelby pulled her back and looked into dark eyes.

“Lily?”

“I’m not really sure,” Lily admitted. “My mom hired an accountant and he does most everything.”

“I want his name, Lily Anne.”

“Why?” Lily squeaked.

“Because we are going to set up an appointment as soon as possible and go over your finances. You need to be responsible for where your money goes, baby.”

“But it’s boring.”

“And it will be even more boring when we go visit him if you have a sore bottom from an attitude.”

Lily’s eyes widened and she shook her head, “No need for that, Shelby.”

“Glad to hear it,” Shelby put her thumb and finger under Lily’s chin and caught her girlfriend’s gaze. “This is important and it’s something grown up you needs to do. I will help you but it’s not up for debate. If we have any issues with this Shelby and big Lily will be having a chat, understand?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Kissing Lily once more Shelby smiled at her. “Good.”

“We’ll give the accountant a call in a little while and then after we set up the appointment we’ll figure out a time to go to your condo and you can bring back what you want. Then we’ll call a real estate agent to list it. Do you have anyone in mind?”

Lily shook her head. “Cora did all of that.”

“Not anymore, baby.”

“Okay.”

“Lily?”

“Yes?”

“When was the last time you went to the doctor for a check-up?” Shelby felt Lily tense.

“Well, I saw Dr. Lowenstein a month ago.”

“That was for your throat. I mean for a physical.”

Lily shrugged, “I don’t remember.”

“Okay, I’ll set something up for that as well.”

“No!” Lily shouted a little too fast. “I mean I can set something up for myself.”

“Uh-huh,” Shelby felt Lily squirm on her lap. “That’s okay, I have someone in mind for you and I’ll call her office and set you up for the first free Monday appointment that they have.”

“Really, you don’t have to do that, Shelby.”

“Really, I do.”

The tone in Shelby’s voice caused Lily to sigh heavily. “But I’m not sick.”

“And I plan to keep it that way, Lily. This is not open for discussion.”

“You are such a dictator,” Lily sighed.

“Yup, but I’m your dictator,” Shelby teased.

* * *

Shelby smirked at the adorable pout on Lily’s lips as she shifted in the back of the taxi. Mama had given her a few warning swats already and Lily was now protesting the unfairness of spending part of her morning at a boring old accountant’s office when she could be playing or watching a movie instead.

Feeling the taxi stop Lily sighed again as Shelby paid the driver and then opened the door pulling Lily onto the sidewalk behind her. “Remember to behave yourself, Lily Anne. This is important and hopefully it won’t take too long if we’re focused.”

“I want to play,” Lily protested.

“After our meeting we can go to the park if we have time before lunch.”

“I want to go to the park now.”

“We have a meeting now,” Shelby sighed heavily and guided Lily into the building. Stopping at the front desk she smiled at the receptionist. “Shelby Bishop and Lily Prescott are here for their 10:00 meeting with Mr. Blake Daniels.”

Looking at her computer the receptionist nodded. “Of course, Ms. Bishop. He’s on the ninth floor, number 907. I’ll buzz them and let them know you’re on the way up.”

“Thank you.”

Moving to the elevator, it was all Shelby could do not to swat Lily. Lily was certainly pouting and she knew that a full-fledged tantrum was probably brewing.

Waiting for the elevator to empty Shelby pulled her into the now empty car. Turning to Lily, Shelby bent close. “Lily if you behave during this meeting I think we can find time to go get a hot dog at Central Park and maybe even go to the toy store.”

“And if I don’t?”

“You will not enjoy your on stage spanking tonight because you will already be sore.”

Lily gulped. “Well, I like hot dogs from Central Park, they have the best ones by the pond.”

“Uh-huh.” Shelby turned as the door opened and exited the elevator with Lily following her.

“And the toy store is always fun too,” she whispered. “I’ll be good, Mama.”

Glad when Lily straightened her back and walked next to her as they reached door 907, Shelby hoped the worst of Lily’s tantrum was over. Entering the office Shelby looked around and allowed Lily to sit down first while she checked in with the accountant’s secretary to confirm they had made it from the lobby.

* * *

“I don’t understand, Mr. Daniels,” Lily grasped Shelby’s hand under the table. “I’ve been working since I was nine years old. I make a decent salary now. How is this possible?”

Shelby shook her head and pulled the report in front of her looking at it once again, “Your net worth includes the apartment and your bank accounts. You don’t have as much liquid capitol as I think you should for as many years as you’ve worked but you really don’t have many investments.”

Shelby then focused her attention to the accountant. “Mr. Daniels, I would like my financial advisor to look at this paperwork and see where he can invest the profits from Lily’s condo. She needs to use her money more wisely.”

The man nodded, “I understand. In fact I tried to point that out to her mother but she seemed to think the money would last forever.”

“What’s this outgoing check every month?” Lily asked pointing to a line on the paper.

“That’s your mother’s salary as your manager.”

“But she’s not my manager,” Lily turned to Shelby. “Sal Bernhardt is my manager. See, he gets a check every month as well.”

Shelby nodded. “And it looks as if he’s paid less than Cora. What about your voice coach?”

Lily shrugged. “I need to find a new one. Cora burned too many bridges with my last one.”

“We need to see what your outgoing expenses really are going to be and then figure out what to do about Cora’s salary,” Shelby continued.

Lily simply nodded. “Can we talk about that at home and then let Mr. Daniels know?”

“Of course,” the stocky man smiled warmly at Lily. “I know this is overwhelming for you right now. I’ve thrown a lot of information at you but you’re moving in the right direction. I’m so glad you’ve finally taken over. I’ve been encouraging Mrs. Prescott to have you in our meetings for over two years now.”

Looking intently at the man Lily spoke once more, “I don’t want you discussing anything about my finances with Cora anymore, Mr. Daniels. The only person other than me that has permission to discuss my financials is Shelby.”

The man made a note on the file in front of him, “Duly noted, Miss Prescott. I’ll have my assistant pull up the paper work to allow Ms. Bishop access, if needed.”

“Thank you.

* * *

Lily was quiet as she and Shelby sat on a park bench and ate their hot dogs.

“Want to talk about it?” Shelby asked.

“I’m just thinking about what we learned today.”

“I want you to know that I’m very proud of you, Lily.”

Lily took another bite of her food and looked at Shelby. “You are? How come?”

“You handled that meeting wonderfully. You were thrown some surprises, but made good decisions about what you learned.”

“Yeah, I guess I did,” Lily nodded. “It still felt weird.”

“I’m still proud of you. And I also want you to know that I’m behind any decisions that you make regarding your money.”

“You’ll help me though, right? If I need it,” Lily finished her hot dog and drained the remainder of her water bottle. “I’m still not sure about financial advisors and all that, or even how much I should list the condo for, not to mention what I should do about Cora’s salary.”

“Of course I’ll help you, baby. I just want you to know that it’s your money and you need to make the final choice of what happens. Okay?”

Lily nodded and then noticed the ducks swimming on the pond in front of them. Jumping up she ran to the edge of the pond and then back to Shelby. “Mama, can I feed the ducks?”

Shaking her head at the quick transition, Shelby replied, “Sorry, baby girl but I don’t have any bread to feed the ducks today.”

Pushing her lip out into a pout Lily sniffed, “We could get another hot dog without the hot dog.”

“But we aren’t going to,” Shelby stood and walked with Lily toward the pond. “We can watch them swim for a few minutes but then we need to head to the toy store that is if you still want to go there today.”

“I wanna go to the toy store,” Lily grinned at Shelby. “Bye ducks.” She waved and tugged on Shelby’s hand. “Let’s go, Mama.”

“I’m coming no need to get pushy,” Shelby teased.

“You’re too slow, Mama,” Lily protested still tugging. “I wanna go see the toys.”

“Well then, we’d better get going.” Shelby smiled at Lily and squeezed the girl’s hand as they began walking to one of the toy stores near the park.

* * *

“Lily Anne, put your shoes where they go!” Shelby called as she made it into the apartment behind a running Lily and nearly tripped on her tennis shoes.

“But Mama, I have to show Albie my new toy. He’ll be really excited to know what I got today.”

“You can show him after you put your shoes away, young lady. I almost tripped over your shoes and you need to put them away.”

Stomping back to the door, Lily glared at Shelby. Picking up her tennis shoes she threw them into the basket by the door. “Stupid shoes.”

“Lily,” Shelby’s tone caused Lily to freeze.

“Yes Mama?”

“No more attitude. You are very close to having a time out rather than playing.”

Lily nodded and picked up the bag from the toy store. “Can I go show Albie my new toy now?”

Shelby nodded, “Go on.”

“Thanks.” A bright smile lit Lily’s face and she scrambled off to her bedroom already announcing to her beloved Albie that she got the coolest toy the store had that day.

* * *

“Lily time for a snack,” Shelby interrupted as Lily lay on her stomach coloring in a new coloring book while her trusted bear kept watch.

“I don’t wanna stop yet,” Lily whined.

“I’m sorry, baby girl but it’s almost five thirty. We need to get a snack right now so we’re ready for the show tonight.”

Scrunching up her nose Lily stood up and looked at Shelby. “But I wanna color.” A stomp of the foot completed the pronouncement.

Shelby moved from the doorjamb rather quickly and took Lily by the arm before turning her and giving her one swat to her bottom. “That is your warning, young lady.”

“Yes Mama.” Lily took Shelby’s outstretch hand in her smaller one and quietly walked with her to the kitchen.

Pulling herself up onto a barstool Lily grabbed the chopsticks in front of her and then looked at Shelby. “I still wish I was coloring, but this sushi looks good.”

“It is good,” Shelby sat down and picked up a crunchy tuna roll. “Oh, this is wonderful.”

“I’m glad there’s only one show tonight,” Lily took a piece of sushi for herself. “I really don’t feel like going.”

Shelby’s hand immediately went to Lily’s forehead. “Are you feeling alright?”

“Yeah, just don’t feel like working is all,” Lily explained as she enjoyed more of her snack.

“That happens to all of us at times.”

“I know. Today just hit home for me.” Lily put down her chopsticks and looked at Shelby. “I’ve been working almost nonstop for ten years and I don’t have as much to show for it as I thought I would. Most days I love what I’m doing, but today,” Lily picked up her chopsticks once more, “Today I would love to stay home and color and get tucked in early after a story and not have to think about anything else.”

Sliding off her stool Shelby moved Lily’s barstool and stood in front of her. Wrapping her arms around the petite figure she said nothing, merely held her.

* * *

“What are you doing, Lily?” Steve came up and looked over her shoulder as the last touches were put on Lily’s hair.

“Coloring.”

“Coloring? Seriously?”

“I find it relaxes me.” Lily glared at the young man in front of her. “Is there something you wanted?”

Flopping onto the couch behind the makeup chair, Steve nodded. “What’s it like living with Shelby?”

“Why do you want to know?”

“I’m just curious, Lily. I mean Shelby Bishop doesn’t scream, ‘Let me open my home to you, wayward waif.’”

Lily looked up from her coloring book. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. Just go back to your dressing room I need to finish getting ready.”

“Come on, it’s not like I knew that would bug you.”

“Leave it, Steve.”

Lily gave him a look as he broke into a weird smile. “Oh, I get it now.”

“Get what, Steve?” Lily demanded.

Rising from the couch he came back to Lily and whispered in her ear making sure the hairdresser couldn’t hear them, “You’re sleeping with her.”

“Out!” Lily demanded loudly.

“Sure, anything you say, Lily.” Steve winked at her as he left the room leaving a boiling Lily behind.

“Lily?” Shelby was suddenly in her dressing room seemingly out of thin air. Shooing the hairdresser from the room Shelby locked to door behind the woman. “What happened?”