“I didn’t want to say anything before, you know, not wanting to talk bad about the ones who were providing for my education. But there is more to this woman than you know.” He brought them up to speed on the caustic interactions between him and the blonde-headed bitch. He also recounted the story of the mystifying incident with Professor Gunther. He recounted her telling him that his pursuit of the Master’s Degree and job prospect would be at his peril and that he would with certainty, fail. In his opinion, she had to be behind the attempted sabotage of his career.
His mother offered him her advice, “I know that you have reason to believe that she might be behind some nefarious plot against you, and you may very well be right. However, if there’s one thing I learned from your father and he has drilled it into your head as well is this: Be sure that you know that you know that you know that you know. Before making any decisions or acting on impulse, can you say that you have hard evidence to support your assertions?”
Vance just looked down at the floor because he knew she was right.
“And another thing” she continued, “Isn’t she the one who, despite her delivery, made it possible for you to achieve your miraculous accomplishments? Wouldn’t it have been much easier for her to have simply not given you the chance at all? Perhaps she does have some unknown axe to grind with you and maybe one day you’ll find out exactly what it is. But until then, keep your cards close to your chest. Ignore her antagonism and her verbal barbs. Perhaps that’s her way of testing your character. Like your dad and I have told you hundreds of times, always remember who you are and who you represent. You have never given us reason not to be proud of you and I’m sure you won’t stop now.”
“You’re right mom. Sometimes I lose sight of that. I’m a Rayle through and through and proud of it, proud of my lineage, proud of my extended family, and proud of my parents. Thanks for keeping me grounded. I know where I came from and I hope to never forget who I am. I’ll meet with that ‘devil’ woman tomorrow and rise above her pettiness.”
He arrived in the parking lot at 1:45 and sat out in the car taking deep breaths and trying to park his mind in a control zone. He was so close to completing all of the challenges placed in his path and he wasn’t about to let anything or anyone stand in his way, not even the blonde-headed bitch. He walked into conference room three at 1:55 pm. And without a word, proudly walked to the only chair meant for him and took a seat, noticing that she, once again, did not rise to meet him nor offer him her hand, which he already expected. But he noted that she was still as deceptively lovely as he remembered her.
“Well, I suppose you’re about to gloat and say ‘I told you so’ aren’t you? When last we met, didn’t you say you’d make me eat my words?” Declared his nemesis.
Vance elicited a smile but otherwise sat there mute. He was in his happy place.
“What’s this? Cat got your tongue? Well, no matter. I’ve already sent you congratulations in writing, so I’ll not waste my breath repeating myself except to say that you surprised me. When we first met, you were an unruly fourteen year old with a big chip on your shoulder. Now you are a twenty-two year old graduate who has never held a single job in his life.”
He blinked his eyes closed and back open very slowly, looking straight into her eyes, but still remained silent.
“Your benefactor has instructed me to give you a graduation gift.” She opened her large purse and removed a six inch by six inch square gift box, expensively wrapped. She carefully placed it upon the table and slid it over to him. “Open it. This meeting can’t proceed until you do.”
He finally broke his lock on her eyes and took in the small package. Without a clue as to what it could be, he picked it up to unwrap in in front of her. He was shocked at the weight of it. He wondered if she wrapped a solid block of lead for him; it was that heavy. When he finally had it open, he found inside what looked like to be a chrome plated ashtray. He picked it up, and examined it for any inscriptions, finding none.
Then he tossed it roughly back on the table. “Leave it to you to get me something useless. I don’t even smoke.”
She closed her eyes, tilted her head forward slightly, and slowly shook her head back and forth and barely whispered to no one, “Just what is it that you think I’m supposed to see in this idiot?”
“Oh, so I’m an idiot now simply because I don’t smoke? It that it?”
“No. You’re an idiot because of your shortsightedness, even after your upper echelon education. Basically, you’re still that same smug fourteen year old boy who met me here eight years ago.”
“What are you talking about? What shortsightedness? Just because I didn’t ooooooh and ahhhh over some cheap chrome ashtray?”
“No. Because I have one just like it and although I don’t smoke either, it is one of my most treasured possessions. It was given to me by your benefactor when I graduated from Harvard and he wanted you to receive no less than me.” She said, tearing up. It was the first sign of any emotion from her other than unspecified anger at him. Apparently her ashtray meant a lot to her, though it made no sense to him.
“Look, I don’t mean to disparage a gift, any gift. Tell my sponsor that I appreciate it very much. Quite honestly I thought that you had picked it up for me just to insult me yet again. I apologize for my preconceived notions.” He said apologetically.
“Maybe, just maybe there’s some hope for you after all. I didn’t pick it out for you, your benefactor did, as I said. I was instructed to have one made for you identical to mine so that our graduation presents would be equal. Personally I don’t believe you deserve such a wonderful gift, but I am obligated to represent your benefactor’s wishes to the letter.”
“Please forgive my ignorance, but can you tell me what’s so wonderful or special about this ashtray? Looks pretty common to me.” He gestured.
“Okay, I’ll tell you what my ….. my benefactor told me when I was given mine; perhaps that will clear the mystery up for you.”
“Go on” he invited.
“A number of years ago, I was where you are right now. No, I didn’t have quite the accomplishments and accolades you received at Harvard. But I was just as dismayed to receive such a lowly gift honoring my college graduation, until he explained it. I don’t recall his exact words, but perhaps I can remember enough to give you the gist of it. This ashtray is a metaphorical representation of you. People see it and believe that it is a lowly ashtray, and like you just now expressed, holds no real value except to collect the ashes, cigarette butts, wads of trash, chewing gum, spit and anything else people abuse an ashtray for.”
She continued, “Most people whose paths you cross will simply view you as having little to no value, just like that ashtray. They believe your purpose is a lowly one because they don’t know the real you, who you are inside. They just look at you on the surface, as you just exhibited moments ago. But it’s not JUST an ashtray you young ignorant…..” She suddenly stopped, as if a realization had just occurred to her.