— Come in, John.
— Is the party over?
— Everyone left.
— So, what can I do for you?
— I just wanted to talk. Honestly, Vera… how did you do it? How did you get all this?
— There’s no secret. I worked harder than anyone else because I was terrified of going back to that apartment. I worked my way up, met my husband when we were both starting out with nothing, and we built this together. We didn’t stop until we were safe.
— Vera, I’ve wanted to say this for a long time… I really liked you back in school. I was just… I was a coward.
— Why?
— Because of the “Scarecrow” thing?
— Yeah. I was afraid that if I stood up for you, they’d turn on me too. I couldn’t handle being the outsider.
— That’s a strange thing to hear from a surgeon. Your job requires a lot of backbone.
— It’s different when someone’s life is on the line. But back then… I failed you.
— At least you’re honest about it.
At that moment, Vera’s phone buzzed on the desk.
— Unbelievable. Al Patterson is already texting me. He wants to know if my husband can help him get a “preferred rate” on a construction loan for his new house.
— He’s got some nerve.
— Are you going to help him?
