JONESBORO, AR—Friday morning took a disappointing turn for local couple Gary and Vivian Baker. The day began with excitement as they showered and dressed in business causal attire in preparation for a meeting with their financial adviser, Brock McCrary.
The couple had, for some time, been considering starting a family and moving in to a larger home, and wished to get a professional's assistance in making plans for Vivian to quit her job as a professional hair stylist.
"We know that there's a lot to do when getting financially ready for a family," shared Mrs. Baker. "I started being a little nicer to my customers so that I could get bigger tips, for one thing." Mr. Baker explained that he had cut down his drinking to every other day, and had been gambling less often.
McCrary had spent an hour poring over the Bakers' financial documents from the past year when they came to the office at the allotted time. They shook hands and exchanged pleasantries before sitting down to discuss their financial future if current practices continue.
Just as McCrary took his seat behind his desk, he glanced at his computer screen, and then drew a long, deep breath, and then slowly released it. The Bakers' took note that it was an audible and markedly lengthy breath release.
"We looked at each other, not really sure what that was supposed to mean," described Mr. Baker. "Part of me thought that he may just be tired at 9:30 a.m."
"I think that deep down, I knew what he was going to say next," said Mrs. Baker.
The sigh set the tone for the remainder of the meeting, with the Bakers attempting to cheer up Mr. McCrary with hopeful or exciting news or information, only to be met with hopelessness.
For example, at one point, Mrs. Baker shared that she was pretty sure that her grandmother had included her in her will, and that she was in poor health. However, in response to that, McCrary merely stroked his beard once and gave a face that was simultaneously disapproving, disgusted, and dismissive.
Just as it began, the meeting ended with McCrary releasing yet another deep breath, as if trying to expel the last half hour from his body.
As if in agreement, the Bakers both sighed deeply also, just before rising to leave.