After breakfast in the front room, we were considering Reyn's future income, how much it might be and what she might do with it. I finally suggested that, for now, we simply gift Reyn a thousand dollars. She could use the money any way she pleased and acquire all the tools she needed to advance her career. The money could be considered a tax credit for Nalini as a one-time gift. That way Reyn could save her royalty money and, and uh… do what?
I nearly suggested “To pay for college", but instead blurted, “For whatever you want. Maybe you could upgrade that Barbie Jeep of yours and put a deposit on a Smart car, or a Minnie Cooper! I'm sure they can adapt those to 'pet drive'. You could even donate a sum of it to the SPCA or something …”
"I'm not donating money to anyone, or anything," snarled Reyn turning from my side and hopping to Nalini's lap on the couch.
Reyn's attitude toward charities changed. When told how much money she would lose to the IRS, at least until such time that Piedmont Publishing could trademark her name, hoped to be as her book went to general release.
Ah, but that's foreshadowing.
Nalini, content to be massaging Reyn's neck and shoulders, wasn't getting involved. I was running out of ideas and finally gave up, saying, “Actually, Reyn, I can see you’ve thought this all out. It is, after all, your money. If you can just keep us in the loop that would be great. We are your legal guardians and will aways help you in any way we can. You're a
and she was, being on her third life since escaping from Egypt CCC years ago.
Reyn had searched the internet for everything she wanted. On Thursday she was still poking around, looking for better values, re-evaluating her decisions, and investigating the availability of where items were in stock. She was confident and nearly sure about her choices, but still nervous about spending so much money on herself.
She knew better than to ask for my advice. I’m no help at these things. I have no patience to research purchases. I buy what people recommend I buy, or simply purchase what the salesperson says suits me best. I just want things unpackaged and done.
=====ZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Saturday was the big day. Our plan was to visit Target, Best Buy, Office Depot, Staples, and a Chic store Reyn had heard of through a friend. We would stop shopping and break for lunch and then decide which stores to return to and make the purchases at.
Yes, this was old-style shopping, but Nalini and I are tactile people and unused to online shopping. Besides, at least for me, it’s really nice to get out of the house. Reyn liked to get out as well, to poke her head out of her accessorized Barbie Cat-Carry-All and to smell new things. It turns out that she too is a real believer in 'touch before you buy' just as we are.
Everything changed on Friday afternoon when a thick certified envelope arrived by carrier. It was from Reyn’s publisher. It contained, among papers and documents, a shiny Platinum Bank of America Visa with a five-thousand-dollar credit limit. The cover letter read something like, “Dear Reyn:
“This is for incidentals. Should your Barbie Jeep break down and you need a Lyft, use it. If you find that you need, or want books, or anything from Petsmart, use it. If you want an e-reader, stationery supplies, or need to travel for research, whatever you need, use it. This is yours. It represents your quarterly expense account. If you find that the limit we've set is inadequate, call or text me. *1–
We trust you know how to use it. We’ll warn gently for excesses or overdraft mistakes. Enjoy, but not overly! Keep in mind that other expense and cost provisions from your contract remain in effect until modified by mutual consent.
"We also recommend, and again due to your feline status, that whenever possible, you purchase from the following vendors as they provide us with very deep discounts. (A short shortlist of vendors, including Apple, Best Buy, Barnes and Noble, Petsmart, and 20 or so others were listed).
"Also, Reyn, please resist purchasing from, using products of, or shipping by or with Amazon, The owner of Piedmont Publishing would greatly appreciate this as Amazon is our biggest competitor. Also, we special rates shipping rates through USPS, FedEx, and UPS. We're sure you understand, but keep in mind that these things are not hard fast rules. Think of it as being part of the team.
"Welcome to the Gold Book Level, Reyn!
"Best regards
"Gigi L.
(What was that about Indians and their gold?)
"*1– Your Guardians, (Nalini and, or Dalton), or your agent Gigi Jillbus (Piedmont Publishing) will have to approve all purchases, this is simply a legal matter required because of your status as a Feline, and technically you are a minor (see addendum to your contract)."
===== epilogue
Just as we had planned, on Saturday the family rolled our red Matrix into the big box store parking lot. We immediately realized our mistake. More than a hundred people wearing masks, and spaced six feet apart, were lined up outside the doors of Best Buy. To our left, fifty or more were idle outside of Target. Ross and Bed Bath and Beyond were no better.
"You know honey, I think our masks are in the other car," said Nalini.
OOOOOOOO
After more conversation regarding Reyn's income and what she might do with it, I finally suggested that we simply gift Reyn a thousand dollars. She could use the money any way she pleased and acquire all the tools she needed to advance her career. The money could be considered a tax credit for Nalini as a one-time gift. That way Reyn could save her royalty money and, and… do what?
I nearly suggested “To pay for college", but instead blurted, “For whatever you want. Maybe you could upgrade that Barbie Jeep of yours and put a deposit on a Smart car, or a Minnie Cooper! I'm sure they can adapt those to 'pet drive'. You could even donate a sum of it to the SPCA or something …”
"I'm not donating my money to anyone, or anything," Reyn snarled, turning and hopping from my side to Nalini's lap over on the couch. (As a side note, Reyn's attitude toward charities changed as soon as she realized how much she would soon be earning, and how much she would be taxed, even as the cooperation they were setting up in her in her.)
I was grasping for straws and finally gave up, saying, “Actually, Reyn, I can see you’ve thought this all out. It is, after all, your money. Just keep us in the loop. We'd still like to help in any way we can. "
Reyn had searched the internet for everything she wanted. On Thursday she was still poking around, looking for better values, re-evaluating her decisions, and investigating the availability of where items were in stock. She was confident and nearly sure about her choices, but still nervous about spending so much money on herself.
She knew better than to ask for my advice. I’m no help at these things. I have no patience to research purchases. I buy what people recommend I buy, or simply purchase what the salesperson says suits me best. I just want things unpackaged and done.
=====
Saturday was the big day. Our plan was to visit Target, Best Buy, Office Depot, Staples, and a Chic store Reyn had heard of through a friend. We would stop shopping and break for lunch and then decide which stores to return to and make the purchases at.
Yes, this was old-style shopping, but Nalini and I are tactile people and unused to online shopping. Besides, at least for me, it’s really nice to get out of the house. Reyn liked to get out as well, to poke her head out of her accessorized Barbie Cat-Carry-All and to smell new things. It turns out that she too is a real believer in 'touch before you buy' just as we are.
Everything changed on Friday afternoon when a thick certified envelope arrived by carrier. It was from Reyn’s publisher. It contained, among papers and documents, a shiny Platinum Bank of America Visa with a five-thousand-dollar credit limit. The cover letter read something like, “Dear Reyn:
“This is for incidentals. Should your Barbie Jeep break down and you need a Lyft, use it. If you find that you need, or want books, or anything from Petsmart, use it. If you want an e-reader, stationery supplies, or need to travel for research, whatever you need, use it. This is yours. It represents your quarterly expense account. If you find that the limit we've set is inadequate, call or text me. *1–
We trust you know how to use it. We’ll warn gently for excesses or overdraft mistakes. Enjoy, but not overly! Keep in mind that other expense and cost provisions from your contract remain in effect until modified by mutual consent.
"We also recommend, and again due to your feline status, that whenever possible, you purchase from the following vendors as they provide us with very deep discounts. (A short shortlist of vendors, including Apple, Best Buy, Barnes and Noble, Petsmart, and 20 or so others were listed).
"Also, Reyn, please resist purchasing from, using products of, or shipping by or with Amazon, The owner of Piedmont Publishing would greatly appreciate this as Amazon is our biggest competitor. Also, we special rates shipping rates through USPS, FedEx, and UPS. We're sure you understand, but keep in mind that these things are not hard fast rules. Think of it as being part of the team.
"Welcome to the Gold Book Level, Reyn!
"Best regards
"Gigi L.
(What was that about Indians and their gold?)
"*1– Your Guardians, (Nalini and, or Dalton), or your agent Gigi Jillbus (Piedmont Publishing) will have to approve all purchases, this is simply a legal matter required because of your status as a Feline, and technically you are a minor (see addendum to your contract)."
===== epilogue
Just as we had planned, on Saturday the family rolled our red Matrix into the big box store parking lot. We immediately realized our mistake. More than a hundred people wearing masks, and spaced six feet apart, were lined up outside the doors of Best Buy. To our left, fifty or more were idle outside of Target. Ross and Bed Bath and Beyond were no better.
"You know honey, I think our masks are in the other car," said Nalini.
