The Start-Up by Sadie Hayes Read Free Book Online Page B

was,” Tom said. “And I completely missed the slaughter because someone kept turning off the TV”
    “I’m so sorry, I didn’t realize anyone was watching and I—well, I just really hate those programs. I mean, the baby elephants are always so helpless. But I can’t keep from watching them. They just totally suck you in.”“So, you stole the television remote?”
    “No, I,” Amelia paused. “Well, I used my phone.” Tom smiled. “And how, exactly, did you use your phone to turn off the television?”
    Amelia blushed. “I actually … Well, I wrote a little program linking the phone signals with television and radio frequencies, so I can control them with my iPhone. It’s like an eye. The program is, I mean, in that it can see other devices and access their frequencies.” Tom looked carefully at her for a moment, studying her face, her demeanor, the shyly proud excitement in her voice as she admitted her invention. This girl had it.
    “No one’s done that before. It’s like your iPhone sends out a ripple in still water.” Tom reached out his hand. “I’m Tom. Tom Fenway. I think your invention is very clever. Do you have a minute?” Tom sat down in the chair across from her. “Actually, I’m working on a paper. I missed class the other day and have this new assignment and I—” Tom interrupted. “I promise I’ll let you get back to your assignment, but first I want to make you an offer. I’m starting an incubator on Sand Hill Road and I’m looking for smart people like you to come and use their skills to start companies. I’ll put the money in.” Amelia’s jaw clenched and she looked back towards her computer. The conversation earlier with Adam was still fresh and she was still upset.
    “Was it something I said?”
    “No. I’m just … I’m not interested.” Tom paused, mouth still open. He’d never been rejected so abruptly.
    “Do you mind if I ask why not?”
    “I don’t want to start a company. I like programming. I love programming. And I have no interest in making money off of it.” Tom leaned back and smiled broadly. Oh, she was
so
it. She was the real deal. “Trust me, I completely understand why you feel that way, but if you approach it the right way, you can have both,” Tom said.
    “No, I’m sorry. I’m really not interested. And I have to get back to this paper.”
    “Well, Amelia, I admire your conviction and your invention.” Tom took out a pen. “And I’m giving you my contact information in case you change your mind.”
    “Hey,” she protested as he scribbled onto the inside cover of her notebook, which was sitting open on the table. “Take care, Amelia.” Tom returned to the table with T. J. “Sorry about that,” he said.
    “Not to worry,” T. J. said.
    Tom pulled two fresh twenties from his wallet and put them on the table, a sum that was fifteen dollars more than the cost of the meal. “I don’t want to take up your whole afternoon, T.J. It was great meeting you, and congratulations again on graduation. Have a blast with the rest of your senior year.”
    “Thanks. Should I also … about the incubator … ”
    “Oh yeah, I’ll let you know how it’s going. It doesn’t sound like it’s going to be very useful for you at this point, but if you come up with an idea, be sure and get in touch.”
    T. J. didn’t understand what had happened. He thought he’d gotten a job and now Tom was leaving and implying that there wasn’t a spot for him. He scrambled to think of a way to get Tom to sit back down, but he was waving to the waitress.
    “See you around, T. J.” Tom reached out his hand and T. J. instinctively shook it.
    “Yeah, see you around. I’ll … I’ll e-mail you with an idea.”
    “Sure thing, buddy.” And Tom was out the door.

Chapter VIII
Sunny Afternoons in Atherton
    A ccording to the Google Maps app on his phone, it would take Adam an hour and ten minutes to walk from campus to Atherton, where his bike was still parked at