Tread This Fantasy

Sidney Crosby had no clue whether he should invest in mutual funds or stocks or bonds. He had his latest statement of investments stuffed into a leather folio, and he was hoping the man he was about to meet with would be able to solve his quandary. The last financial advisor hadn’t been on the up and up when it came to legality, and Sid found that his portfolio had suffered for it. Unfortunately, he hadn’t figure it out on his own. It took an intervention from his dad to make Sid understand that he was being taken advantage of in the finance department.

Mario had passed along a card of one of his financial advisors named Michael Belcher. A call to Mr. Belcher’s office and Mario’s name dropped to the receptionist had landed him a meeting two days later at the firm’s office downtown. He parked in the underground parking garage and took the elevator to the twenty-third floor. The receptionist was nearing seventy with bleach-blonde hair that was gelled and sprayed into a bowl around her head. Bright pink lipstick topped off the tacky look, but she was polite enough and asked Sid to have a seat on a leather sofa.

He fiddled with his folio before scanning the magazine selection on the low coffee table in front of him. Most were finance publications, but he did wince when he saw a picture of himself on the cover of a sports magazine. It never felt normal; seeing himself on posters and magazines was always weird.

“Mr. Crosby?” A tall man with a receding hairline was standing in front of him dressed in a suit. He looked to be about fifty or fifty-five years old.

“Just Sid is fine.” Sid stood up and took the man’s outstretched hand.

“Mike Belcher. Nice to meet you.”

“Yeah, you too. I, uh, brought my statement. Maybe you can help me out.” Sid held up the folio.

Mike nodded and smiled. “Sure, sure. Why don’t we just walk down the hall to my office.”

The two men traversed the quiet hallway in silence. Sid’s jaw nearly dropped when he saw the amazing view that opened up as they entered Mike’s office. The river was visible, morning sunshine gleaming off the water. “Nice view,” he observed.

“It is. I fought for this office.”

“I bet,” Sid replied as he sat down in the comfortable armchair across from Mike’s pristine desk. They both slid into small talk about the weather and the traffic into downtown Pittsburgh.

Finally, Mike cleared his throat and said, “Mario tells me you’re looking for some advice on your portfolio.”

Sid nodded and pulled out a thick statement over a hundred pages long of his investments accounts. “I’m not a money guy; I’m a hockey guy. But my dad thinks this guy is taking advantage of me, so I’m getting a second opinion.”

“Sure,” Mike replied, taking the statement and flipping through the first few pages. Sid looked down at his shoes, noticing a scuff on the top of the new black shoes he’d put on this morning. He hated this kind of stuff--dressed up in a suit and talking about money. He’d rather be participating in the morning skate in his practice jersey.

After several long minutes, Mike sat back in his chair. “I’d need some more time to review your holdings. All in all, it’s not horrible, but there are a few things in here that aren’t quite right for you. Either too conservative or too aggressive. Granted, you can afford to be aggressive right now considering your age and net worth. But there’s no reason not to keep a level head about this kind of thing. How often do you meet with your advisor?”

“Not often. But that’s probably as much my fault as it is his fault. This money thing, well, it’s just not my thing.”

Mike nodded. “I understand, but you do need to keep your eye on your money. I’d love the opportunity to work with you, but I do tell clients I need to meet with them at least twice a year.”

“Sure, I understand that. And if Mario trusts you, then I don’t see why I shouldn’t. Can you look it over and let me know if you can help?”

“Not a problem,” Mike agreed. “Let me call Melanie in here to make copies. She’s my assistant.” After Sid nodded, Mike picked up his phone and made a brief call. Less than ten seconds later, a soft knock at the door announced someone.

Sid looked up to see a young woman enter. Her glossy brown hair fell several inches below her shoulders and was pulled away from her face with two delicate clips. Her makeup was subtle and her skirt suit was chocolate brown with pale pink piping around the edges. “Yes, Mike?” she asked, not looking toward Sid, but at the man behind the desk. Her demeanor was rushed, as if she was in the middle of something and the call had interrupted.

“Can you make copies of this statement for me?”

“Sure thing,” she replied, taking the pile of papers and glancing up toward Sid with a warm smile. When she caught his gaze she faltered and her smile melted, replaced with shock.

Sid would have been amused by the strong reaction he elicited if he hadn’t at that moment recognized her. It was the girl from the club. The one he’d seen twice and had kicked himself for not speaking to. He’d spent the past two weeks thinking about her. “Hi,” he croaked.

“Hi,” she replied, her eyes wide and her mouth open.

Mike cleared his throat. Sid glanced over and saw the smirk on his face. “Sorry for the surprise, Mel. I didn’t mean to spring this one on you.”

“Sure, Mike. I’m just going to get these copies for you.” She spun around and hurried out of the office, the door clicking shut behind her.

“She’s a hockey fan,” Mike explained, tilting his head toward the door. “I didn’t tell her that you were coming in because I wanted to see her face.”

Sid nodded slowly, still trying to comprehend that he’d found the girl from the club.

Mike must have taken it as discomfort because he quickly added, “We’re very discreet and our client list is confidential. Melanie has been with me for several years and she is extremely professional. You’re safe with us.”

“Oh, sure, sure.” Sid nodded eagerly. “Yeah, I appreciate that.” He paused before continuing. “You’re the only two who would have access to my information?”

“With the exception of our back office personal, yes. No one else in the firm will be able to access any of your information. Melanie is very trustworthy and knowledgable. Honestly, most of your questions can probably be answered by her. She’s registered as a broker and advisor herself and acts as my backup if clients can’t reach me.”

“I see. Good to know.” Sid kept glancing at the door, waiting for her to return. He didn’t often moon over pretty girls, but there was just something about her. He’d been intrigued ever since the second night at the club when she hadn’t approached him. It was even more of a mystery now that he knew she was a hockey fan. Most fans rushed over to get his autograph. Most girls his age rushed over to get his number. His autograph was given freely, but his number was closely guarded. Besides, he didn’t have time for girls when his career was so demanding.

Mike proceeded to rattle off a list of his titles and licenses along with Melanie’s. Sid didn’t need to hear it. He was already sold, even before Melanie came into the room. But now that he knew fate had wrapped her up in this too, he couldn’t say no to working with Mike.

A knock at the door brought both their eyes to it just as Melanie opened it up. “Mr. Crosby, your statement.” She gave him a quick, nervous smile and slid the statement across the desk to him. She remained standing beside Mike with the copy in her hand.

“Thanks,” he replied. “You can call me Sid, though. My dad is Mr. Crosby.”

Her smile was more genuine this time, less rattled with nerves. “Sure thing.”

“Mel, can you get his holdings entered in and generate some appraisals on it, run it against our growth model?”

“Sure. That it?”

“That’s it. Sid, are you available next week around this time?”

He pulled out his phone and flipped to the calendar. They had an away game the night before, but he should be able to make an afternoon appointment. He told Mike as much, but his eyes kept darting back to Melanie. She was staring at her shoes. Brown suede peep-toe pumps.

“How about three o’clock a week from today, then?”

Sid logged the appointment into his phone and stood to shake hands with Mike. “I appreciate the help. Thanks.” Mike rose from his chair and enthusiastically pumped Sid’s hand.

“I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere before,” Sid said, turning to Melanie.

She lifted her eyes to his, surprise written all over her face. “Oh, I don’t think so. I would have remembered.”

His brow furrowed and he worried that he might have been mistaken. With a shrug he shook her small hand and left the office with a wave of his hand.

***************************************

Sidney was sitting at the kitchen table in Mario and Nathalie’s home. Everyone was out--the kids at school, Mario in his office, and Nathalie out shopping. The house was quiet and he was beat from an especially trying day at practice. The team was due to fly out early the next morning for a game in Philly. Instead of packing he was sitting at a table with a copy of his investment statement and Mike Belcher’s business card.

It had been two days and he still couldn’t figure out Melanie. Had she known it was him in the club? Was he completely mistaken and it wasn’t her at all? He felt vulnerable. She had access to all of his financial business and he needed to know if she liked him or not.

Quickly, he dialed the office number and pressed his cell against his ear. The receptionist answered and he asked for Melanie, hoping there wasn’t another one in the office because he didn’t know her last name. A moment later and his phone was ringing in his ear.

“This is Melanie. How can I help you?”

“Hi, uh, Melanie,” he said before he cleared his throat.

“Yes, sir. Can I help you?” Her voice was sweet and professional. And he knew for a fact she didn’t recognize his voice.

“This is Sidney Crosby. I was just calling because I have a couple questions and Mike said you would be able to answer them.”

She was silent for a moment. “Oh, okay. Sure. What are those questions?”

“How, uh, how long will it take to move my accounts over to your firm?”

“Well, likely about two to three weeks, depending on how quickly you sign paperwork. We open the accounts prior to requesting transfers. Those take seven to ten business days. Once the assets are here, we determine how they should be reallocated and discuss options with you.” She was cool and articulate when it came to business. He felt out of his depth.

“Have you been to Whim in the past month?”

“What?”

He paused before barreling forward again. “Whim, the dance club. Have you been there?”

Melanie didn’t answer right away. Finally, she said, “Yes. Why?”

“A couple weeks ago?” Sid couldn’t help but get excited. So it was her.

“Yes. Why do you ask?”

“Did you see me there?”

“I, what? No, I was there with my friend. Did you see me?” She seemed flustered.

Sid smiled and flipped the card over in his fingers. “I thought you saw me. I waved at you.”

“What are you...? Oh, shit,” Melanie said before shutting her mouth. A long moment passed before she said, “I’m sorry. That was rude.”

Sid laughed. “It’s okay.”

“That was you?”

“Yeah. I recognized you in the office a couple days ago, but kept second guessing myself because you didn’t seem to recognize me.”

“Oh, I recognized you. Just didn’t realize you were the guy at Whim that waved at me.” He could hear the confusion in her voice. “Why were you watching me?”

“I don’t know. Something to do.” He cringed at the shyness in his voice. He should have just told her that she was pretty and he wanted to talk to her.

“Right,” Melanie responded. “Well, it’s nice to belatedly meet you.”

“Likewise. Will I see you when I come in the office next Tuesday?”

“I’ll be here, but you’re meeting with Mike.”

“Cool,” he responded. “See you around.”

“Bye,” Melanie answered before hanging up.

Sid sat back in the chair and laced his fingers behind his head. He needed an excuse to see her again. Maybe he’d figure out how to talk Mike into including her in the meeting.

Notes