The Budget Meeting

The budget meeting was scheduled for 8:00 AM.

Nobody wanted to attend.

Especially Aditi 3.

Aditi 2: Let's begin.

Aditi 3: I object.

Aditi 2: On what grounds?

Aditi 3: The grounds of vibes.

Aditi 2: Denied.

Aditi 1: Can I object too?

Aditi 2: No.

Aditi 1: I haven't even said why.

Aditi 2: You never have a reason.

Aditi 1: Fair.

Aditi 2 opened a spreadsheet.

The room immediately became less happy.

Aditi 3: I hate that document.

Aditi 2: The spreadsheet?

Aditi 3: It feels judgmental.

Aditi 2: It's numbers.

Aditi 3: Exactly.

Aditi 2: Let's review discretionary spending.

Aditi 1: That sounds targeted.

Aditi 2: It is.

Aditi 3: This feels hostile.

Aditi 2: Last month we purchased:

Flowers.

Candles.

Supplies for candles.

Containers for candles.

Shelves for candles.

Boxes for candles.

Labels for candles.

Aditi 3: Okay when you say it like that—

Aditi 2: I'm saying exactly what happened.

Aditi 3: Continue.

Aditi 2: We also purchased gardening supplies.

Aditi 3: Research.

Aditi 2: Research for what?

Aditi 3: The future.

Aditi 2: The future appears expensive.

Aditi 3: Innovation costs money.

Aditi 2: You bought seventy marigolds.

Aditi 3: Abundance costs money.

Aditi 2: There it is.

Aditi 1 raised a hand.

Aditi 2: Why are you raising your hand?

Aditi 1: Professionalism.

Aditi 2: Proceed.

Aditi 1: How much money have we spent on coffee?

Aditi 2: Irrelevant.

Aditi 1: Interesting.

Aditi 2: It's not interesting.

Aditi 1: Sounds like someone doesn't want an investigation.

Aditi 2: Sit down.

Aditi 1: I'm already sitting.

Aditi 2: Sit down harder.

The meeting deteriorated briefly.

As most meetings did.

Aditi 2: Let's focus.

Do either of you know what financial security feels like?

Aditi 1: No.

Aditi 3: No.

Aditi 2: Interesting.

Aditi 1: Do you?

Aditi 2 paused.

Aditi 3 paused.

The room became unexpectedly sincere.

Aditi 2: Honestly?

Aditi 1: Yeah.

Aditi 2: Not really.

Aditi 3: Oh.

Aditi 2: I always think it's one milestone away.

Aditi 1: Like what?

Aditi 2: A bigger savings account.

Aditi 3: Then what?

Aditi 2: A bigger business.

Aditi 1: Then what?

Aditi 2: More options.

Aditi 3: Then what?

Aditi 2 stopped.

The room waited.

Aditi 2: I don't know.

Aditi 1: Interesting.

Aditi 3: Very interesting.

Aditi 2: Please don't make this a therapy session.

Aditi 1: Too late.

Aditi 3: Already happening.

Aditi 1 leaned back.

Aditi 1: Can I tell you what I think?

Aditi 2: I fear that you can.

Aditi 1: I think you're trying to save us.

Aditi 2: Obviously.

Aditi 1: From what?

Aditi 2: Everything.

Aditi 3: That’s a lot of responsibility.

Aditi 2: I know.

Aditi 3: No wonder you’re tired.

The room went quiet.

Aditi 2 looked at the spreadsheet.

The apartment.

The studio.

The savings account.

The job.

The business.

The life.

Everything had a number attached to it.

Aditi 3 looked at the spreadsheet too.

Aditi 3: For what it's worth...

Aditi 2: What?

Aditi 3: I know you think we're reckless.

Aditi 2: You are reckless.

Aditi 3: Sometimes.

Aditi 2: Often.

Aditi 3: Fine. Often.

Aditi 2: Thank you.

Aditi 3: But I know you're carrying a lot.

For once, Aditi 2 didn't argue.

Aditi 1: Yeah.

Aditi 2 looked up.

Aditi 1: We complain about you constantly.

Aditi 2: Constantly.

Aditi 1: But we're glad you're here.

Aditi 2: What do you want?

Aditi 1: Nothing.

Aditi 3: Nothing.

Aditi 2: I don't believe either of you.

Aditi 1: Fair.

Aditi 3: Very fair.

Narrator:
The budget meeting ended at 8:47 AM.

The budget was approved.

The spending was reduced.

For approximately six hours.

At 2:13 PM, Aditi 3 purchased something described online as ‘artisan.’

Nobody was surprised.

End of Chapter 7.