How much money did her dad actually have to spend on things like buying a business and her wedding? They’d talked about both, but with Cord, she was never sure he was listening. Maybe it was time to have a serious conversation with him about many things, including the fact that he’d cheated on her mother.
“Probably best to start with the money stuff,” she murmured aloud. “That will be a whole lot more pleasant than talking about Dad being a hound dog.”
twelve
IN THE END, Harlow went for easy rather than expedient. She drove into town and parked near the upscale shopping area. From there it was a quick walk to the boutique where Enid worked most afternoons before starting her shift at a local bar.
Enid, manning a professional steamer, smiled at her.
“Hi. How did it go? Are you getting married at the club?”
“I don’t know.” Harlow hugged her, then glanced at the still wrinkled black cocktail dress. “Pretty.”
“Linen.” Enid lowered her voice. “I can’t keep the wrinkles out. Don’t buy this one.”
“Thanks for the tip. Anyway, it went all right. Kip’s mom freaked at the deposit. We didn’t get much past that.”
Enid returned her attention to the dress and began steaming. “Most people freak at those kind of prices.”
“Then Kip should have warned her. It was really uncomfortable. I wish my mom had been there.”
“She’s still in California?”
“I guess.”
Enid looked at her. “You haven’t talked?”
“No. She just went away without a word. For all I know, she’s never coming home.”
Enid’s mouth twitched. “Ah, there she is. My little ray of sunshine.”
Despite how her afternoon had gone, Harlow smiled. “Okay, I’m not always the most positive person on the planet, but this was bad. Judy was uncomfortable the whole time.”
“A lot of people don’t have country-club lifestyles. Kip doesn’t come from money like you.”
“I don’t come from money. We’re not rich.”
“Richer than most. Haven’t you and Kip talked about what it was like when he was growing up?”
“What do you mean?”
“His dad works in a machine shop. His mom’s a checker at the grocery store. He sells appliances. I’m not saying it’s bad—but it’s not the way you grew up.”
Harlow stared at her friend. “How can you know all that about him?”
“We talk sometimes when the three of us go out with friends.” Enid shrugged. “Kip and I have a lot in common. You’re the richest person we know.”
“But I’m not. I don’t have money.”
“You have access.” Enid moved the cocktail dress to a rack, then began steaming a silk blouse. “If you need something, you ask your dad.” Her expression darkened. “I’m working two jobs to save for medical school. If I’m lucky, I’ll graduate only a hundred thousand in debt.”
“But you had scholarships.”
“I did, and a few grants, but it’s not enough. I’m not complaining. I’m just pointing out that you and Kip come from different financial worlds.”
Harlow tried to take it all in. She knew Enid was right, but the way she’d said it…as if Harlow had had it easy.
Okay, maybe she’d been spoiled as a kid, and she’d never had to worry about getting a job after college or paying for anything.
“Hey, don’t be mad,” Enid said quietly. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“I don’t think about money.”
Enid’s smile was sad. “You don’t have to.” She motioned to the blouse. “Would you think twice about buying that if you liked it?”
“No.”
“It costs what I’ll take home this week. Kip works on commission. He doesn’t show up for the job, he doesn’t make anything. You should absolutely have the wedding of your dreams, but don’t be surprised when Kip’s family has trouble keeping up.”
Harlow wrestled with emotions she couldn’t define.
“Am I selfish?”
Enid put down the steamer and hugged her. “No. That’s not what I’m saying. I’m just pointing out that we’re not all as lucky as you.”
Harlow looked from the blouse to her best friend. “Do I make you feel bad?”
“Never. I love you. Always.” Enid hugged her again. “I’m saying it all wrong.”
“I don’t think so.” Harlow mulled over what her friend had told her. “Kip and I have never talked about money. It’s never been an issue, but now I’m wondering how much I don’t know about his financial situation. He always pays for stuff like it’s no big deal.”
“He’s a really good salesperson. He’s usually number one at his store.”
Harlow nodded slowly. “I know, but if we’re getting married, shouldn’t we plan for our financial future? Like the wedding. Having it at the club is going to be really expensive. Maybe the money would be better spent on something else.”
Enid sighed. “I’ve destroyed your wedding.”
“No, you’ve said some things I need to hear. I need to think about them.”
Kip’s mom being unable to handle the country-club wedding was one thing, but Enid talking about money was another. Enid had been her friend forever—she’d been there when Harlow had been a little girl with cancer, even though Enid had been exactly the same age. They’d weathered high school and boys and going to different colleges. Theirs was a bond that could never be broken, so if Enid had something to say, Harlow was going to listen.
Harlow shifted her bag to her other shoulder. “Are you working at the bar tonight?”
“Until midnight.”
“Okay, then I guess I’ll see you later in the week.”
“Absolutely.”
They hugged one last time, then Harlow left. As she got in her car, she glanced back at the boutique. Enid needed a hundred thousand dollars for medical school. Based on the deposit and what she could guess the reception would cost, Harlow would say her wedding would cost about that. A hundred thousand dollars for a single day as opposed to four years of medical school. How could they be the same amount?
If she had that money, she would give it to her friend, she thought. But it wasn’t hers, it was her dad’s, and he wasn’t paying for Enid’s tuition. But if Enid were his daughter, he would gladly cover the cost of Johns Hopkins.
Life was complicated, Harlow thought as she drove toward the apartment she shared with Kip. The one where he paid for most of the rent and all the utilities and all the dinners out. Harlow kept the place stocked with groceries and paid a nominal amount each month toward everything else.
Hardly fair, she thought, not sure how the arrangement had come to be. After all, she and Kip made about the same amount. He even had a car payment, while her car had been a gift from her parents.
They should talk about money, she told herself. And maybe set a few financial goals. She should also speak to her dad about the company he was going to buy, along with a budget for the wedding. Conversations she wasn’t sure how to start.