Mr. Diamond called Phillip earlier today and asked if we could meet with him after work.
We sit in the big wingback chairs in his study, and Mr. D says to Phillip, “So, you know that my job is to protect JJ’s financial interests. And, as much as I believe you two will be together forever, I have to think realistically about that. Every time I make a decision about JJ’s finances, I always ask myself, What would Paul have done? What would her dad have wanted, and how would Ronny have felt about it? When I’m not sure what to do, I’ve consulted with your dad, Phillip, since he and JJ’s dad were so close.
“I want to talk to you about JJ’s finances tonight. I want you to understand everything. First off, you know they would’ve wanted her to have a special wedding and that Jadyn has that budget?”
“Yes, sir,” Phillip answers.
“Second of all, I know her parents would have wanted to give you a special wedding gift, so in this envelope is a check made out to both of you.”
Phillip grimaces.
Mr. D hands Phillip the envelope. “Phillip, you’re going to be getting lots of wedding gifts in the coming month. Those gifts are your friends’ and family’s way of helping you get started in your new life together. You’re planning on accepting these gifts graciously, am I right?”
Phillip thinks about it. “Yeah, I guess.”
“That’s what this is,” Mr. D says. “A gift. Phillip, I know what you’re thinking. You’re a man. You’re starting a new family with JJ, and you want to love and support her.
“When Mary and I got married, her parents wanted to give us money for a down payment on our house. I fought her tooth and nail because I didn’t want to feel like I owed them anything. I wanted to make it on my own. In some ways, it felt like a slam to me, like they were saying they didn’t believe I could support and provide for their daughter. But her father sat down with me and told me that it was a no-strings-attached gift and asked me to accept it as such.
“So, Phillip, please accept this gift from her parents. It’s what they would have wanted. Hopefully, you can use it to find a home that’s perfect for you.”
He asks Phillip to open the envelope. Phillip’s eyes get big when he does. I know the exact amount of the check, but when he shows me, I act surprised.
Phillip says, “Wow.”
Mr. Diamond keeps going, “But this is your money as a couple, and it’s completely up to you how to spend it. You might do what I think her parents would have wanted and use it to buy your first home. Or you might decide you want to blow it all on a trip around the world. Maybe you’ll decide to reinvest it, to start your own business, or buy matching Ferraris. My point is, Phillip, this is your money together, and you should decide together how to use it.”
Phillip is listening very closely to Mr. D, and I have to give it to him. He’s nailed it.
And, in case Phillip hasn’t had enough of a mind fuck yet, Mr. D drops this on his plate.
“Thirdly, like I said, it’s my job to protect JJ’s finances, so I’m going to ask you to sign a prenuptial agreement that will protect the rest of her trust in case either one of you decides to end your marriage.”
In other words, in case Phillip decides to dump me or trade me in for a younger model someday.
Phillip has no problem with this. He reads over the document and signs away.
I’m hoping, now that he doesn’t have access to my money, he will feel okay about using the gift money on our house.
I’m so bad. I haven’t even seen the place yet, and I’m already calling it our house.
Okay, seeds have been planted.
Now, I’m just gonna stand back and watch them grow or germinate or take root or whatever newbie seeds do.
As we’re driving home, Phillip says, “So, what do you think we should do with this gift?”
I say a little bit pathetically, “Well, I guess just put it in the bank until we can decide what we wanna do with it. I mean, I know you won’t wanna spend it on a house, so I guess we’ll just reinvest it.”
