Gifts and Consequences Read Online Free Page B

or foolish acts, such as paying a dollar for a lottery ticket.”
    Jonathan couldn’t remain sitting any longer.  He paced slowly behind his desk.  “They’re deceived, of course.  An intelligent person approaches a lottery like this: ‘I am willing to contribute a pittance so that one of us can be elevated, and the state can benefit in the meantime.’  Nearly half of lottery money ends up in state coffers, after all.  The odds are so poor that in reasonable terms the lottery is nothing but a tax for people who are bad at math.”
    “That’s not the point,” said Marcus.  “We’re talking about gifts.”
    “It’s the same principle.  The lottery is an unearned gift multiplied by a million.  And if multi-million dollar winnings are truly a blessing, why do more than one third of lottery winners declare bankruptcy within five years?”
    Marcus had no answer.
    “Those are the numbers, Marcus.  There are no statistics on contentment after winning, but I’m convinced the bankrupt ones spend the rest of their lives bitter, blaming other people for their destitution, and expecting society to give them more.  They are ruined when it comes to working for a dollar.”
    “I’m not talking about giving away millions to one person.  Think about how a few thousand could change this girl’s life.”
    Jonathan shook his head.  “A small unearned gift is the same as a megagift, but on a micro level.  I choose not to undermine society or individuals in that manner.”
    Marcus exhaled and ran his hands along the sides of his shaved head. 
    “If your conscience is too tender, you’re free to walk away,” said Jonathan.  “You do a great job here, but don’t do me any favors by compromising your integrity.”
    Marcus nodded slowly.  “We’ll see if things change after tonight.  Most people get exactly what they deserve, what they earn.  I just wonder if we crossed the line with this one.  She never asked for this.”  Marcus clenched his teeth, exhaled again, then said, “That girl never asked for anything.”
    Marcus would be hard to replace if it ever came to that.  Not only as an assistant, but as a friend.  His combination of compassion and belief in consequences was a rare mix, especially in a man so professional and detail oriented.
    “You can’t take something away from someone who has nothing,” said Jonathan.  “She only stands to gain.”
    “How can you say that?  She’s a human being.”
    “Trust me.  She’ll be better off after tonight, no matter what happens.”
    Marcus walked to the doorway, but stopped and said over his shoulder, “This probably goes without saying, but if it turns out bad for her, you can take it as my notice of resignation.”  He didn’t wait for Jonathan to answer.
     

 
Chapter Six
     
     
    Saturday, May 7, 2011 – My First Date
    In four hours my first date will be here to pick me up.  I still don’t feel as excited as I expected, just nervous.  I don’t really know why Tyler asked me to go with him.  He did say ‘Hi’ to me when he saw me in K-Mart my sophomore year.  I guess he can be a decent person when Chase isn’t around.  I just hope it isn’t a joke.  I don’t think I could handle it.  I’ve heard lots of kids at school talking about the concert, so I know it’s a big deal, but that only makes me even more nervous.
    Why did he ask me ???
    I went to the Salvation Army and bought a dress.  It’s dark blue and plain, like Daphne’s in Devil in a Blue Dress .  When I was in the store all I could think of was that book and my face was bright red the whole time. 
    I hoped I’d look like Bella when she went to prom, but I look more like a brunette Pippi Longstocking, but with boobs.  I’m glad Buck didn’t make me go to the 8th grade dance.  That was the only good thing about him.  He never made me do anything. 
    I bought some makeup at Dollar Tree.  I’m going to wear blush and a little bit of lipstick.  I