Look Both Ways by Joan Early Read Free Book Online

what she suspected Price had done. “I’m waiving origination fees because each applicant should have been clearly advised of the documentation needed for approval, and I don’t see that this was done, certainly not to my satisfaction.”
    She thought back to her reason for applying for a job at Sealand. She and Stan had rented a small studio apartment when they married, and had plans to purchase a home as soon as possible. When Sealand offered her a part-time position that paid twice the salary of her bookstore clerk job, she’d placed most of the money in savings for their dream of home ownership. Those individuals whose loans had been denied, she felt, had the same dream. She would have handled each one differently. She would have handled them fairly.
    “I’m sure it’s very disappointing to learn you can’t purchase the home you dreamed of owning. I’m not sure these prospective borrowers were told they could qualify by providing additional information. Copies of pay stubs, gift letters for money being used as a down payment, proof of clear title to an automobile—all minor issues, but critical to prove their ability to repay the debt.”
    Trying not to wilt under his stare, she began speaking more slowly, watching him watching her.
    “You must also know that this institution is in the middle of the conservative spectrum. While trying to be the best, not necessarily the biggest, we follow established guidelines, and it’s that practiced caution that has kept Sealand afloat and profitable while many others have gone under. Like selling cars or anything else, our production employees are rewarded by the number of loans they approve, not the ones they turn away.”
    He said nothing, but his wary expression sent Susan’s temperature soaring. He wasn’t buying her story, and her confidence was slipping. Her heart had been weakened by his intense appeal. Her emotions kept getting in the way of rational thinking. Feeling frustrated and overwhelmed, she coiled into strike position and lashed out.
    “You must be a busy man, Rev. Cartwright. How do you find time for these little confrontations? You say it wasn’t your intention to initiate a combative relationship, but that’s exactly what you did from the moment you first walked through that door. I understand and admire your need to serve your community, but this is strictly business. It’s not about race or boundaries.”
    He finally blinked. “I came here, not so much for answers, but to end the discrimination Sealand imposed on my neighborhood. I could have gone to the press and, if nothing else, created a lot of bad publicity. I’ve apologized for our earlier meeting. We fired the first shot and you retaliated, but this is not a personal attack. Can you abandon your defensive anger and just concentrate on the facts?”
    “I will if you will, Rev. Cartwright,” she said impassively.
    “I’ll just state the facts as I see them, no conjecture, no editorializing. Our records clearly show that some loan applications for properties in your neighborhood were denied. Others were approved. I’ve reviewed the rejects and I agree that the loans, as they stand, should have been denied. I remain doubtful regarding Sealand’s communication efforts to the applicants, so I am offering to meet with them individually, waive fees, and make a concerted effort to rectify the situation. Any loans that can be approved, which are probably all but two, will be expediently reviewed. That’s the best I can do.”
    “Now, Miss Cross, you know as well as I do that Sealand had to approve those government applications. The others were rejected because Sealand didn’t want to make any loans in Cedargrove Heights unless it had to do so. Redlining is prohibited. If this practice were known to exist, the government agencies involved would void any commitments formerly issued to this company. I want those loans approved, Miss Cross, without further delay. As head of production, were