The Ties That Bind by T. Starnes Read Free Book Online Page A

of everything. "What about the build location?"
    "I already scouted out a big enough warehouse for us to build in. It needs a little alteration, but the landlord has already agreed to update the facilities to our requirements. It should be ready by the time we get the crew and patents lined up."
    "Great. The last thing I wanted to bring up is securing our work. So far, we are talking about a million dollar investment. Right now, all the stuff is just in a file cabinet in Marcus's office. Once we start hiring and buying, and once the patent is filed, word will be out about what we are doing. I may sound paranoid, but I think we should be locking up everything when we are not working on it. Preferably here and not at a separate workshop that is empty if we are not there."
    Ted pulled out a card from his Rolodex, "That's a good idea. I have a guy who put in a safe at my house. I will have him come out and put something in Marcus's office."
    "Perfect. Well I guess that means we are on track. We should continue to meet every week even if nothing is going on, just to make sure we stay on the same page. More if we have actual stuff happening."
    Both men stood with me and we all shook hands.
    "Ted, do you think you can get Mary Ann to drive your business partner home so he can do his homework?"
    Both men laughed as we walked out of Ted's office.
    Saturday rolled around and the girls were excited. After the game, there was the Homecoming dance at school. I was actually a little nervous. While we hadn't exactly been keeping it a secret, going to the dance with three dates was putting our relationship out there more that it had been.
    The girls had already picked their dresses and my suit and had gotten tickets. I offered to help, but they just laughed at me, took money out of my wallet, and told me to just be quiet and look pretty. All three seemed to revel in my uselessness in these kinds of situations. Still, I knew my place and just said yes ma'am and followed their lead.
    Before the game was on, I had something I wanted to take care of. I knew Margret worked Saturday afternoons and except for the brief conversation at the bus stop, I hadn't seen Tina since I was kicked out. I missed her and was really concerned so, in spite of having promised Margret I would not come by the house, I decided to go and visit her.
    I noticed Margret's car was missing. She didn't used to work on Saturday afternoons, but since she stopped accepting money from me to help with the bills, there is the chance she picked up a second job. I knocked on the door and waited. After what seemed a pretty long time, Tina opened the door with some guy I didn't recognize, standing behind her. I did notice her shirt was on inside out.
    "What do you want?"
    "I hadn't heard from you in a while. I wanted to check and see how you were doing."
    She sighed, "I'm fine. Cas, you don't live here anymore and Mom made it clear she didn't consider you her son and that you weren't my brother. She doesn't want me to talk to you."
    "Yeah, I know Margret is unhappy with me and wants me to stay away. Is that what you want?"
    "I think it would be for the best."
    The guy behind her took this as his sign to step in. He moved close behind her, reached around and put one hand on her breast, and gave me a threatening glare.
    "You heard Tina, get lost."
    She turned and gently pushed him back, making sure she was between me and him. It was clear she wasn't rejecting him, but trying to keep me from being in reach of the guy.
    "Steven, no."
    Ahh, so this was the guy Tami mentioned ... the one her sister knew.
    "It's okay Tina. I am leaving. But remember, regardless of what Margret says, I still consider you family. If you need anything, you know where to find me."
    She didn't respond and shut the door. Steven was still pawing at her as they disappeared from sight. I felt my blood pressure go up but walked calmly away from the house.
    I was still in a mood when I got back to the house. Zoe was in