Chains Of Love

Book Three of the Can You Catch My Heart Series

By

Retta Michaels

“The Queen of Gay Romance ”

Disclaimer

If you are below the age of 18, please don't read this story. Although the sexual situations aren't mentioned, it doesn't mean there aren't some implied. If you are reading any of my stories for sexual gratification, it's not likely to happen. Please know I'm a Gay Romance writer and not likely to ever write cum fiction.”

Notes from Retta:

Font Set

Chains of Love

Chapter Four:

The wedding went off without a hitch. Win found dresses for all of them which were stunning on all of the girls, Teresa, CJ, Jen, as well as herself. Dad and I dressed in our black suits. Him in a new one and me in mine.

I'm not going to go on about all the changes at work, but things went fine. Things improved and the updates were amazing. Pres came in and worked and it was amazing how he wound the staff around his little finger. He looked cute with his smart business manner and his interest. What was amazing was his ability to tackle the concepts of making beer and understanding them.

To even the most grizzled of workers, his interest was overwhelming. He'd ask questions and then, when someone explained the tanks were cleaned, he wanted to know when and then, he showed up and asked to be suited up so he could go in and help clean them. It really brought about comradery with the employees.

What's neat is if he heard an employee complaining, he'd ask them what the problem was and he'd bring it to me. Together, we'd tackle the problem and we'd call the employee up to the office and show them ways we'd improved things.

The look on Pres' face when he saw his trains painted in the scheme the Ad section had designed was enough to bring tears to my eyes. I had everyone standing near it who was responsible for it's being painted and his excitement was enough to bring tears to many eyes.

Dad held out for the ball season. He made the games, but it was clear he was failing. Win would be there with him and more than once, I found her speaking to the press about the ball teams and what she and dad's opinions were of the games.

What was exciting was at the beginning of the season, we stood together and we told the team in honest terms about dad's illness. We asked them to play their best, but if there were any problems they were having, to please let us know.

Sometime in the late season, one of our football players flew threw an intersection and plowed into a car. He was drunk and as head of the company, I knew I had a huge responsibility to him as well as the family of the people killed and to our public.

I went public with the announcement we would be assisting the family of those killed, but we'd be assisting in the rehabilitation of our player. Then, I took the press out to his car and showed the effects of the wreck urging everyone to not drink and drive. I think it helped the public know I wasn't someone who was going to shirk my responsibility.

The ordeal with the family was a mess. They blamed me and they blamed him. I can understand, and completely empathized with them. If it had been a loved one of mine who was killed, I'd have the same feelings. I paid for everything from their hospital bills, funeral expenses, hotel bills, food, etc...etc...etc.. and then, I got them lawyers so they could sue for damages.

They looked at me with suspicion, but all through everything, I stood by them until the verdict was reached and damages were ordered. Then, I got out my check book and signed the check to them rather than have our player incur the damages.

The father of one of the people killed cussed me, but I went out and explained my situation to the press. I wanted the verdict rather than having the public see I was sweeping it under the rug. I think the public saw we were doing business with dignity and honor.

Our player was called in and he had to go through rehab. There were rough patches, but I stood with him through everything. There were times when he would call me late at night and I'd go running to be with him through hard times when he was wanting to take a drink. Through it all, he ended up realizing he had other problems and the drinking was a symptom rather than the cause of his problems. He worked on them, and he got better.

Our teams did well. They weren't great, but they did well. We got to play in some play off games and came close, but it wasn't meant to be. Through everything, dad kept saying we needed a better quarterback. I told him to call someone up, but he kept insisting he should stand by the starter.

Where things went with me personally, was I was very active with Win and the kids. If you'd not thought we were step son and step mom, you would have seen the closeness with us as being something other than what it was.

Eric and I dated until finally he wanted to get more serious. I told him it wasn't possible and he wanted to go on without me. There were moments of regret, but there were things in my life I had to take looks at and realize it wasn't possible. He would have been an 'also ran' in the contention for my time and affections and that simply wouldn't have been fair to him, nor I.

Brook signed divorce papers with the settlement of the fifteen million. My only concession I had to give was the part about her family having to repay the money given to them. The lawyers said they were “gifts” and I had to take that out of the papers.

She did attempt to contact the press and a publisher to write a “tell all” book. I found out who the publisher was and had a cease and desist order filed with copies of the divorce settlement sent so as to tell them what the lawsuit would cost them. They apparently didn't send anyone to interview her and I got a copy of the letter sent to her declining her offer. At the same time, my lawyer contacted her's and told him in no uncertain terms would I back off the lawsuit filed against her if she chose to continue.

She apparently slithered under whatever rock she chose to go under. The only time I heard from her or about her again was a wedding invitation to her upcoming nuptials. I was sorely tempted to send information to her fiance, but I was advised by my attorney she could in turn sue me for the same damages. I silently wished him the best and hoped she never did to him what she did while we were married.

Jack is a different story. He realized life was going to go on at the brewery with or without him. His attempts to find out information were all met with silence. It seems all of the people he'd counted on contacting had gotten laid off or terminated.

He did attempt to make amends with dad and they spoke briefly on the phone. Dad asked some pointed questions and asked him for an apology. None came. +

Dad then asked him if he'd ever divulged what had happened to his wife and was told to mind his own business. Dad told him that upon his death, he would be disinherited and his share of the brewery and all his holdings would be split equally with me, Win, and the kids. Jack threatened legal action and father told him he could threaten all he desired but it was iron clad and there wasn't a thing he could do about it.

When dad got off the phone, he looked strained and tired. He said, “Petey, get this place taken public before I die. I don't want him having a thing. IF he ever apologizes to you, then give him one share of preferred stock and put him upon the board, but don't ever let him have anything more than one share. I'll put that in my will.”

“Ok dad.”

I called legal and spoke with my attorney. “Go ahead and start submitting all the filings to take us public.”

“Pete, I'll have to have some input on how to exactly go about it. You're going to have to have some more guidance than me.”

“Ok, get me the SEC on the line and I'll find out how to go about this.”

“You need a professional.”

“I thought I had that when I had you. I'm disappointed, but I'm not upset. You were honest with me in telling me it was above your head. Now, let's consider this matter closed between us.”

“I'll be there to represent your interests in this if you want.”

“I want that.”

I contacted the SEC and we got the company taken public. It was a time consuming ordeal, but we had the paperwork filed there were no hidden heirs and that seemed to satisfy them.

When the opening day came for the company to begin trading, I expected it to open at ten dollars a share. Everyone was called together and we went to New York. For her active role in our company, CJ was given two shares and a seat upon the board.. Father had grown to love her and together they would sit and talk for hours.

Win's role in the company started out gradual. I'd pull her into meetings and she'd look uncomfortable. As I asked for more and more input from her, she gave it until she was feeling comfortable enough she was running the place while I was away.

She began to laugh at herself and make remarks about her role. She thought she was someone who would never be a part of any corporation and would say, “And here I sit on the board of one of the nations leading companies and the top selling brand in the world.”

I'd say, “Win, not yet...but we will be!”

As I said, when we went public, I was expecting our shares to put us as being billionaires at one dollar a share. The stock entered the market and began to rally. By the end of the day, they were selling for eighty dollars a share! I looked at everyone and said, “Ok, now the next two weeks it will level out. When the end of two weeks happens, we'll know the standard price of it.”

The problem with that is that's what it's supposed to do. What happened is at the end of two weeks, it was at two twenty. Pres and Jen were asking me what that meant and I began to tell them they were very rich. The idea hadn't sunk in I was just as wealthy.

Dad seemed to take the stock release as his holding point. After it was released, he began to fail rapidly. His nurses began to report more and more moments where he wasn't lucid and moments when his vision wasn't with him. Through it all, he wouldn't let us see him have down times. He'd come down to breakfast and his appetite would be just as good as it was normally. He'd have moments with the kids and then would request me to take him to the brewery.

One day, he said, “Petey, take me on a walk and let me see this one last time. I want to walk through the steps and see what you've done.”

We went on the walk and when we got to the box cars, he said, “Guys, this is where I began my career here. My daddy made me learn the business and loading these box cars is what my first job was.....”

He fell and at that moment, I knew I'd lost my dad. Ambulances came, but it was too late. I went to Barnes hospital with them, but by the time Win made it there with the kids, the doctor came out and told us it was over.

We went home and began funeral planning. It was soon realized there wasn't a location big enough for the funeral to happen. Win and I were outside taking a break and she said, “Pete, I think we should have it in the stadium on Saturday so everyone who wants to come can. We can set up chairs and fill the infield with the players and all of our employees. The stands can be for the fans.

We went back inside and I was about to call the funeral home when the phone began to do a long continuous ring. It seemed strange to me it would ring like that, so I picked it up and answered. “One moment please for the President of the United States”

“Huh”

“The President would like to speak with you Pete.”

“How'd you know me?”

She chuckled and I heard the distinct voice of Ronald Reagan. “Pete!”

“Yes”

“I heard about your dad and I'm sorry.”

“I am too.”

Tears sprung in my eyes and he said, “I've got Secret Service coming and I need to know where you're going to hold it.”

“We just decided on the ball stadium. It's the only place big enough.”

“Ok, when will it be held?”

“On Saturday. I'm not sure when.”

“Ok, now here's what I'm going to do if you'll allow me.”

“What's that?”

“We have that caisson which Presidents are carried to their graves. If you'd like, I can have it flown there and you can have the draft horses to pull it to his grave.”

My voice broke with sobs. “Mr President, I'd consider it an honor to accept on behalf of our family if you'll allow us to pull a beer wagon behind it with flowers on it rather than beer. He won't be needing that where he is.”

“Ok son, We'll have it delivered to the brewery.”

“Sir, if you don't mind, I'll have a truck meet out at the airport. And they can carry it.”

“Whatever you need to do son. Nancy and I will be attending, so please, if you don't mind, we'd like to sit in a row right behind you.”

“I'll tell them to make you that consideration.”

When I got off the phone, Win was standing there. She took one look at me and we collapsed into each other's arms. She said, “Pete, he made his way into the heart of millions with the team.”

“Yes, and I can only hope we do him good and hold onto the legacy for him.”

We went in and began making funeral plans. It was Tuesday and I went to the brewery. When I went in, the place had flowers filling the lobby and black crepe ribbons on all the door handles. I went to the horse stables and spoke with the handler. I said, “We need two teams, so call up another. This team will pull the Presidential caisson and the second team will pull the beer wagon.”

He looked at me and said, “Pete, I'm sorry, but this team doesn't pull anything other than the beer wagon. Your daddy spoke to me one day and he told me there were Steins before him and there would be Steins after him, but there's always been beer. If you don't mind son, I'd like to keep this team pulling the wagon.”

At first, I was pissed, and as the power of the words hit me, I remembered my dad telling me much the same thing. I said, “I understand. He said nearly the same thing to me once. I forgot my place in this dynasty. Thank you for reminding me.”

He smiled and said, “You son, are the best thing that's happened to this place. Your daddy let it run him and your brother never even attempted to run it, but you son, you put us on the maps so to speak.

When you took over, everyone hated your guts, but like a runaway train we had to be stopped. You did it and then, you brought us into station. Your daddy spoke about you with awe in his voice at what you've accomplished and I can only hope to see the rest of what you envision.”

“Let me know what that is and I'll do it.” I chuckled, “Not even I know what that is. It comes to me as I do things.”

He put his hand upon my shoulder and said, “The best thing you've ever done was you got us out of those tunnels. Yeah, you've got the plant going up out there, but you're not desecrating those graves anymore and they know it. They're blessing you and you're wealthy beyond reason.”

“It's not the money. I was richest when I had my dad.” I said with my voice breaking.

“It's hard. This whole place knows it's hard. The second he fell, word spread through this place like wildfire and I don't think there's been a dry eye since. You're now leading it and us out of the darkness.” He stopped and said, “Did you know they interrupted the evening news on all the stations to tell the world your dad had died?”

“No, I was at the hospital.”

“They did. It wasn't until that moment that I realized how great the man was. Most stations would put it in as a line under the announcer, but for the announcer to stop talking about global politics and to suddenly tell everyone he died, man, I knew then he was huge. And he was a common ordinary man who I knew.” His voice broke and sobs overtook him.

“Yeah, amazing isn't it. I'm just glad we had the time we did and I really wish we had more time. Who I feel the most for is Pres and Jen. Those kids are going to have a hard time of it.”

“No they won't.” he smiled and then he whispered, “They've got you!”

“Yeah and I love them as if they were my own.”

He chuckled and said, “And this place sees him and they think of how much that boy is like you. We feel lucky because you got it thrust at you, and him, he's here and he's learning it like his grand daddy.

Your daddy was old enough to be his grand daddy, but those of us who know the history know your grand daddy was the one that brought us out of the depression and prohibition. Most of them brewers before didn't make it, but he did.

For us, we look at that and we know the history.”

I smiled and said, “I know the history, but it's interesting. What's ironic is he's going to have three wives there and I still don't know how I'm going to speak to my mother with respect.”

He laughed and said, “Don't. This moment is for those who were in his heart. Each of those exes left his heart and Win's the only one that made her way into ours.

Lord, we gotta love her. The second I saw her come through here, I thought to myself, that woman just stepped in horse shit and she didn't flinch. She's one of us.”

I chuckled and said, “I thought that when she nearly got shit on by an elephant. She just turned to me and said, “That elephant just tried to shit on me!” I had to tell her they had no clue she was back there and to be thankful she wasn't closer. She just laughed.”

“Son, can I make a suggestion?”

“What is it?”

“The nation is going to be looking at you as the new leader of the company. They're going to try to push her to the back burner. They do that to the women in the lives of famous men if you've noticed. What you need to do in that funeral is realize the nation is watching and all the channels will have it. You step a step behind her and let them know she's someone you respect. They'll see that and not think you're a pompous ass.”

“I'll do that.”

“She's going to want to cling to you, but you have those kids on each side of you. Make her stand tall and show she's a leader. If you tell her, she'll understand. This company needs that.”

“Ok, I'll do that.”

I heard a voice behind me and it was Win. “Pete, what you doin' hon?”

“I came down to do some funeral planning, but instead, I got some advice. You want to go get a cup of coffee?”

“Ok, that sounds important.”

“It is in a way. It's something that needs to be said.”

I turned and went to her. We put our arms around each other and walked out. She looked at me and said, “You got the teams scheduled.”

“Yeah. He's going to pull the beer wagon and the second team will pull the caisson.”

“That's what your dad would want.”

“Yeah, it took that man reminding me for me to know.”

“Now, what's really on your mind?” she said looking up at me.

“That man gave me some really good advice. What we need to do is realize we're going to be on a platform where the world is watching. For us, we have to show the world, the company is still going to be powerful.”

“It's going to be damned hard.”

“Yes, and that's why I need to say something to you that's going to make it harder, but when I do, I need you to think and not be emotional.”

“Ok, you want me out, don't you?”

“Who the hell said that!”

“I just feel it.”

“Win, listen to me.”

“Pete, I'll be packed. If you want, I'll leave the kids with you, but I'll be out.”

“Win, shut up!”

She looked at me and I said, “I didn't say that. If you recall, I told you that you have a permanent spot with us always. Not until dad died! But ALWAYS.

So, unless that's something you want to do, then forget that shit.

What I'm trying to tell you is what we have to do at the funeral. Not about life afterwards. But in regards to life after, I want you there in the brewery running the place with us.

Yes, I think Pres and Jen need to up it a notch, but you hon are going to have to be there with me and it's going to hurt like a nail in the eye.”

She chuckled and said, “You remember the first time you said that?”

“Yeah, Luis used to say it, that's where I learned it.”

She smiled and said, “That man. He loved you.”

“Yeah, he was like a dad to me.”

“Yeah, but he looked at you like you do the kids. You were his. Your dad might have done the charm to get them there and you too, but you were his like they're yours.”

“Ok, hon, what I need to say is this...Most women get put out there and forgotten. When the press shows them at funerals, they're draped in black and they're pushed to the back burner. They'll want to see me as the head of the company, but what they'll want you to do is to shrink back.

Personally, I think that's crap. So, what I want you to do is to wear the company's colors instead of black. The rest of us will wear black and I want you to stand tall and I'll support the kids. I want you to be seen as a leader and not as someone they think will shrink away into oblivion.”

She looked at me and said, “But I want to wear black. He was my husband.”

“Yes, and what would he want you to do?”

“Oh” She went silent and then she said, “He told me once to hold my head high and to show them I was a leader. He said to give you your respect but for me to hold myself up and to completely shit all over Jack.”

“I'm in agreement. Jack will sit with my mom and Max's mom if they come. If not, then Jack and his wife will sit in that row by themselves. He's not going to sit up there with us.”

“He'll try.”

“And we own the fucking stadium! I'll have his ass bounced out of there.”

“No, speak with the Secret Service and have them tell him he can't sit closer by direct request of the family.

He was disinherited and he never apologized. Your dad gave him that option and he refused. So, as far as I'm concerned, he's lucky he gets that seat.”

“You and me both, but dad told me to give him one share of preferred and a board seat if he should ever apologize.”

“That one share is worth hundreds of millions of dollars!”

“Yes, and he can only sell it to us. Just remember we've got control and who else is on that board. With you, me, Pres, Jen, and CJ on the board, we control it.

The people who are on it are our liaisons. We are the ones that actually own stock. BUT, what dad did in his will is he left that one share in my trust. I know why he did it so if there were ever a tie, I could use it in my favor, but for Jack to get it, he has to publicly apologize to us all.”

She looked at me and said, “Ok, I'll wear white with a red kerchief and red shoes.”

“Good. Now what I'm going to do is I'm going to go to the press and I'm going to put a release that tells them you've been elected to the Chairman's position of the company.”

“Don't do that. The will hasn't been read yet and I think you'll be amazed at who gets it.”

“What do you mean?”

“He specifically stated in the will you're supposed to be given that seat. It's been willed to you.”

“Why did he do that? That's nuts!”

“Honey, He wants you to have the honor to show you're clearly in charge.”

“Do you know what that's going to do to me with the workers?”

“Yeah, they'll have to deal with it. Now, shush.”

“Ok, but I don't like it.”

“Honey, you don't know this but he made up for a lot of bad things he did to you. He tried to do everything and yet, he still felt guilty.”

“I know and he knows I forgave him. He gave me so much more by showing me respect.”

“Honey, you earned that. Don't you know you had to earn it for him to give it? He said you did more for that company in on your first day than he did in forty years.”

“Well, that was crap to. I had to do that otherwise we would have went under.”

“Jack didn't. He didn't. But you did.

Now, I acquiesce to you because I completely agree. If I ever should get Chairwoman's position, they'll have to put me in a box because they don't know that means you're gone and I don't know how I'd handle that.

You're not my son, but you've shown me more love than a son would ever give. You've been the perfect big brother to my kids and your siblings and I just feel sorry Jack ever put himself in a position of where he never got to feel that love.”

“He could if he'd just apologize, but that scene Win. That scene was terrible.”

“I know hon. Your dad told me one night real late it was the worst thing he's faced in a single moment.

He also said how proud he was of you in that moment. He said you flew across that desk and he said he couldn't believe it because he said he looked at the ink pen stand and it was still in it's spot and said you had to have flown over it to defend him.”

“I don't know. All I knew was he hit him and I couldn't believe it. He'd just as much punched me in the gut when I saw Brook laying on that desk, but for him to physically do that to dad was beyond disrespect.”

“Let's not talk about that. Let's concern ourselves with what we need to do.”

“Ok, Now what we need to do is we need to send flowers on behalf of the brewery. I know it's corny, but he was an employee like you or I, so I have to send flowers.”

She smiled and said, “You fall into the role of being the head of the company so easy.”

“No, it's something I have to force myself to do.

If you really want to know, the only things I don't force myself to do is go to the parks and be the boss there.

When I force myself to go to the brewery, it's like I have to make myself play the part of being the boss. It's not something I'd do if I didn't have to do it. I'm hoping Pres will see it as that and he can take over because he's a born leader there.”

“Honey, Pres is different. If you must know, his hobby is the winery. He looks at it like you do your parks.. He goes there because he's in love with the vines and the thought something so good comes from something so simple, it amazes him. He also has his railroad and as much as it's his, he told me you are the one that really put that on the direction it's headed.”

“I did that because I wanted him to be the best. He said when we were flying to Vegas that he thought it'd be cool if we could get a fast train between Vegas and Los Angeles. I looked at the cost of them and thought it was possible, so we're going to have that. I didn't mean for him to think I was taking it over.”

“No, he's thankful. He knows it's a gift from you, but he said you are such a leader that you see a problem and you step in and it's took care of.”

“I let people do their job. Dad and Jack tried to demean people by thinking the people were too stupid to do their jobs. All I do is step in and show them the direction to head and they go there.”

“Honey, you are the one that's at the head of the pack yelling “CHARGE!”. Don't you see that? Everyone sees it and they find it funny how you make it seem so simple. We've all tried it and it's tough.”

“It's tough for me too, but I do it because I know there's a responsibility of me to do it for you, the kids, and to the employees.”

She smiled and said, “It's that responsibility we have to learn.”

“Just think of them first, because if you put the shareholder first, then you're fucking the company and our employees.”

“And we're shareholders and you are too.”

“Hon, if you want to know where my shares are, go to my room and look under my underwear, you'll see them, I put them there to remind me of who I am. I'm a person who puts those briefs on one leg at a time and although I'm supposed to be wealthy, I don't feel like I'm all that wealthy. I still have to be responsible to our employees.”

“And you're afraid as Chairman of the Board, you're going to be thought of as less by them.”

“Yeah, I could always go out and tell them I was answering to the Boss who was my dad. Now, I'm that Boss and they're going to be seeing me as someone different.”

“Honey, they still love you.”

“Maybe, but Win, I've got to take a day off a week and start focusing on myself. I want to take that time and just not be me. I want to go and not be seen as anyone who runs any companies. Maybe then, I can find someone who will love me.”

“You've got us.”

“You know what I mean. Dad got you and I believe you were the one he actually loved. I want to find that someone.”

“And you deserve it, but hon, you don't go out looking for it. It finds you.”

“Well, I'm not going to find it in the brewery. Believe me, I've looked.”

She chuckled and said, “And you've been sly doing it, but I know you've looked hon, but maybe it's not meant to be yet.

I know when your dad and I got divorced, I told myself I'd not look and whoever was meant to be, would find me. When your dad started coming back around and he was so much nicer than before and he started having to make an effort, then I knew he was the one that was meant to be.

Fortunately, I didn't have to worry about if he would love my kids because they were his too. It was like he was someone different because he actually tried.”

“I know. I told him I'd be sure to make sure he gave you the time this time.”

“And you did. In doing so, he really was thankful.”

We got up and went out to my car. I said, “How'd you get down here?”

“CJ brought me. She came over to be with you and when you weren't there, she thought we needed to go find you. That girl loves you more than any man she could ever love.”

“Yeah, and there are times I forget and love her like a woman. She knows that and we've grown our friendship from it. There are times Teresa's referred to me as the other man and I laugh, but with CJ, I could be a lover. Isn't that strange?”

“No, because you're friends and you're giving to each other. You gave her the best life she could have and then you kept giving. For that, she's given you as much as she could give. Now, I think she's hurting because you're hurting.”

“I'm not really hurting. That's what's weird. I knew this would happen and I knew when it happened, I needed to be strong for everyone.

It's hard, but I'm not hurting. He was my friend, but I also have you and CJ as friends. With you two, I would be shocked if you died, but when dad and I were forming our bonds, he told me and I knew it would happen.

It's happened, and now, I'll miss him and I think that's when it will hurt.”

She looked at me and said, “I know. I'm going to look for him and he's not going to be there. I know the kids will too and it will be doubly tough, but for me it's going to be like after we got divorced. Only this time I'll have you.”

“Good, and please don't ever think you've got to leave. Your place is there and if you get remarried and want to leave, then do, but if you want to stay, then make sure the man knows that's your place and ours and it's a package deal. I'll do that if I find someone and I really hope you all grow to love him, whoever he may be.”

“Do you have any prospects?”

“No, all the good ones are either taken or straight. I cared for Eric, but he wanted more than I could give.”

“Hon, do you think Eric would have been happier with another day a week?”

“No, because if I gave it, he'd wanted more and more and that's not possible.”

“Do you think you can take a man in to the company with you similar to the way your dad did with me?”

“I don't know. Would the employees love him?”

“I don't know. They love us because we're family, but I sometimes wonder about me.”

“No, that man downstairs knew you were a keeper when you didn't flinch when you stepped in shit.”

“Why would I?” She asked incredulously.

“Some would and they'd see that and think you were prissy. You didn't, so you got respect. He saw that as it being the horse belonged to you.”

“Isn't that funny!”

“Yeah, but you've got rights of passage with everyone. You passed tests you didn't know you had. Now, they're going to worry about whether you can continue to lead and I want to be there to help you make it.”

“Hon, I'll be there. I don't know about the ball team and going to the ball games, but it is in my blood. I wouldn't feel right if I didn't go to the games. I'd feel like I was letting the players down.”

“Ok, so we'll do those things and then they'll see you're just the same and they'll endear you to their hearts.”

“Well, I do know you'll have a certain linebacker's love forever.”

“Yes, and you know what?”

“What?”

“IF that man were gay, he'd be perfect for me. He's smart, funny, and yes, he's had a bad situation in his life, but we've all had that. He thought he was terrible for it, but you know when it happened, I had to make a decision and on that trip over to see him, I was nearly broadsided at that same intersection by a group of kids. It was then I thought of how their lives would have been because you know the police would have roasted them for killing me. So, I made up my mind to support him because we all make mistakes and when he had tough times, I was there. Now, we're friends.”

“Hon, I've got a question there and maybe you know.”

“What?”

“You've made statements about the drinking being a symptom of other problems. Do you really think that?”

“Yes. What's interesting is this. You have people who go out to bars simply because staying at home alone is so frightening. They can sit at that bar and nurse a drink for a long time and not get addicted to the alcohol. Then, you have someone else sitting next to them that have financial problems and they're thinking about it and boom, they're drunk.

There are all sorts of reasons people turn to alcohol, but it's not the alcohol's fault. It's the problems of the people. Yes, it can compound into being a problem, but I think blaming a defenseless bottle of beer isn't the source of the world's woes. It's who picks it up that has the problem.

Someone who uses it for fun has fun. One who has problems picks it up and they have a bad time.

It's like a gun. Millions of people go out and use them the right way and they have a good time, but there's one person out there that will have a problem and think that's the solution of their problems. It's not, but the difference is you have a standard where someone who kills someone gets sent to prison, and the gun's not blamed. If someone does it to themselves, they blame the bottle. It's stupid.”

“I see what you mean, but I guess it's the way I was raised. You know my parents completely disowned me when I married your dad, don't you?”

“Their loss.”

“Yeah, but it was mine too.

The thing is once I divorced him, I never went back around them. They're still out there and I'd love the kids to know their grandparents, but they've never shown any interest, so I never told the kids. What I worry about is if anything should happen to me, I don't want them to suddenly come back and try to get them. So, would you agree to raise them?”

“Sure, but nothing's going to happen to you.”

“No, let's hope not, but if anything should happen, I want my shares divided up between you three.”

“No, give them to the kids.”

“No, because that would be robbing you. I'm your step mother too and I know it. So, I want it this way.”

“If you insist, then you get it put into your will. We really should all have wills, but I don't. Maybe we could speak to legal about it.”

“Ok, let's make it point to do that first thing on Monday.”

“No, we'll have to do that after our Supervisor's meeting and our meeting with the Ad section.”

“You do realize the Ad section has looked like they're your babies of the plant, don't you?”

“Because I have weekly meetings with them? What the employees don't know is I feel more alive in those meetings than I do anywhere else in the plant. Maybe one day we'll have a meeting for everyone to see what we do in those meetings and then they'll see a lot of work gets done. Maybe if we did that, the ideas would be flowing so much the plant would love to feel involved and feel that alive. Wouldn't that be a hoot?”

“We ought to do that, but how do we take it to that step?”

“We'd have to have a big enough auditorium to hold it, but once we did, it'd be packed to the gills every week and it'd take all day.”

“Maybe we could do that for one day before we open the plant back up.”

“Ok, let's do it as a day of healing. Maybe it will turn into something we can do once a month.”

“Ok, I'll call the caterers so they can have enough food on hand.”

“No, tell Merriam. She'd love to feel a part of something like that.”

“Oh yeah. She'd be amazed.”

“Ok, then it will be next Monday. We'll spring it on everyone and tell them when they get to work to report to the main cafeteria. Would it hold everyone?”

“It's supposed to. I'll definitely make sure we have enough chairs and tables.”

“Ok, next item of interest.”

“This isn't a business meeting.” she giggled.

“Well, you know what I mean.”

“Yeah, you get to talking about business and it comes over you this is a meeting. Well, I'm not writing off your daddy's funeral!”

“No, we're taking this one on the chin.”

She laughed and said, “You're terrible!”

“Promise me if I die, we'll make it a write off. That way I show corporate responsibility.” I said giggling.

“No, we'll take it on the chin. But what's on your mind?”

“Oh hell, I forgot. It'll come back to me, but let's go home so the kids aren't worried.”

“Ok”

We went home and things were wonderful.

The funeral happened and I remembered my item of interest was what I'd say as the Eulogy. I remembered and I put it into a speech. When I got up to speak, I think the world took a breath and held it to see how I'd handle it.

What I did was I got personal. I told them all about my dad and my feelings about him. I kept it beautiful and when I was done, I know I saw the President dabbing his eyes. Me, the tears were flowing and I just kept right on talking. I had to tell the world about him and know they loved him through my eyes..

When everyone came back to work, we had that brainstorming meeting with the Ad department. A lot of people saw it as a waste of time, but what we did was we made an official announcement that starting that day forward, no one would have it held against them if they chose to come to the meetings. What happened was we had about a hundred and fifty workers who started coming and really giving good input. The pride in those people suddenly improved and a good number of them went on to become Supervisors of their departments.

In late 1989, we opened the second plant in metro St. Louis out in St. Charles county. Pres stepped forward and became the plants' manager. He looked every bit of his seventeen years of age, but when he began putting people into motion, he did it with a flair which made everyone jump to it and get it done. I was amazed myself, but I had to stop and think about the age I took the reins of the company and I wasn't much older than he...well seven years older. He managed wonderfully and yet, he managed his time exceedingly well.

In early 1991, I received news at the plant I needed to get to the hospital immediately and that Jen and Win had been in a car accident. It seemed a bus full of church kids was afraid of missing their exit to Six Flags and they cut them off. They collided and in the collision, the bus tipped and crushed Win's Jaguar.

I arrived at the hospital and the doctors were swarming me with questions as to what to do. I signed permission forms and they were carted into surgery. Win had severe head trauma and Jen had trauma all over her.

The doctors weren't certain what to do, but they said they'd try to save them. I went to the phone and called the plant to get ahold of Pres and was told he was on his way. I began pacing the hallway when Pres came flying in. He flew into my arms and asked me what was happening. I told him and we began sitting and waiting.

After about an hour, the doctor came out and gave us the first update. Jen didn't make it and Win was still in surgery. Pres and I collapsed in grief and our hope was we could still save Win.

About an hour later, the doctor came out and from the look on his face, I knew immediately. The world turned black and I passed smooth out. When I was brought back to, I was in the emergency room and Pres was holding my hand begging me not to leave him too. I came up off that table with a start and hugged him to me. He said, “Mom didn't make it Pete. You're all I have left.”

I hugged him to me and said, “Baby boy, I'm going to keep you safe.”

He smiled and said, “You've always done that.”

When we left the hospital, we went home. The castle looked really glum. We arranged the funerals and what I hated was some of the nations headlines stated “Good Crushed Evil” and Pat Robertson was on his show spewing hate about how our brewery messed up peoples lives. It was at that moment I saw the press for what my dad saw in them. I shut the television off and Pres looked at me and said, “Can we get rid of the television? I don't think I ever want to watch it anymore.”

I said, “Pres, we need to talk. Let's go get on your trolley and take it around. I want to be away from people.”

He looked at me and said, “Pete. You mad at me?”

“No babe, I'm not mad at you. We've got to talk and we've got to be there for each other. What's happened isn't anyone's fault. It happened and we've got to make decisions.”

When we went out, I stopped and looked at the elephants. I said, “Have you been keeping your word to them?”

“Yeah, every day.”

“Good. I don't know how she's going to handle Jen being gone.”

“I don't know either. I'll try to love her enough for the two of us.”

“I'll help hon. Now, what we need to talk about is you coming downtown and helping me run it. What do you think?”

“Ok, but I don't want to leave the St. Charles plant completely.”

“I understand. What we'll do is you can split your time like I do with the parks and we'll find a way. What I think is we've got to be wise about the selection of board members. They're like a pack of wolves and if they think we're weak, they'll really chew us up.”

He looked at me and said, “They're our friends.”

“Pres, don't ever think of someone that could vote you out of the company as a friend. We're down to two now and CJ is there, but three against six isn't a very good number.”

“Pete, listen to me. We own that company and those people better know it.”

“Maybe I'm being paranoid, but right now we're against the wall. I think they're looking to see if we're weak and how we're going to rebound.”

“We're going to make it bro, so don't worry.” he said firmly.

We went on around the park and I said, “Pres, would you do me a favor?”

“What hon”

I looked at him and said, “You called me hon.”

“Yeah, you call me hon and you're my brother. If I can't call you it, then don't call it to me.”

“Ok”

He smiled and said, “I'm all straight brother, don't get no ideas.”

“No, it's not that, it just seemed strange, but now I know it's given with love, I'm ok with it.”

“Good because it felt good being there to comfort you, for once. You've sure took this hard.”

“I don't know why but maybe it's because she's the only mom I had that loved me.

You had her and never had another who didn't care about you, but she was the first one that cared. And Jen, she was just my baby girl. You don't know it, but when they brought you two home, I was determined to love you so even if dad treated you like he had me, I would make up for him being that way to you.”

“I know. That's why it was strange when dad started coming around again because I kept wanting to know where you were.”

“He never told me he was going to see you.”

“He kept so many secrets from us. He'd tell me things he never told you and he'd tell you things he never told me. It was like he was either doing it deliberately so we'd have specialties if the companies split up, or he was counting on the only way we'd get the whole information was to communicate amongst ourselves which we did.”

“Yeah, I loved him, but for a long time I didn't even know him.”

“I know. Me too. Now, he's gone and now they're gone.” He began crying and I pulled him to me and we began hugging. “Baby brother, I'm here.”

“I know and I love you. This is hard.”

“I know, but we'll make it.”

We stood and hugged and when we broke apart, we looked and a whole line of buffalo were looking into the trolley like they were wondering what we were doing. I started laughing and said, “they look like a bunch of stockholders!”

He started laughing then and said, “You know, you're right. We'll have to feed them crumbs because I didn't bring any food.”

“No, what we'll do is we'll go get the tractor and come back and feed them. Ok?”

“Sure, you know Pete, I'm worried about you. You never take any time for you.”

“I do, you just don't see it. I'm up to two days a week now. One of them is spent with you and Jen and your mom.......oh Lord” I started crying and said, “You're the only one left!”

“I'll be here. I'll be here.” he said holding me.

We went back around and he said, “Let's feed them and then talk some more, but what I want you to do is I want you to take three days and one of those days we're going husband hunting just for you.”

“No, I don't need a lover right now. What about you?”

“I date, but I'm not about to get serious yet.”

“Anyone you like?”

“Yeah, I love them all. That's what the problem is.”

“Where do you go?”

“All over the place. I drive the Chevy truck and I go to Ted Drew's and I go to Chesterfield to the mall and I've even been known to take the tour through the brewery.”

“Oh man, we need to do that. That'd be funny. You know I used to do that here at the house. And then, I applied for and even got the job giving the tours one Summer. No one knew.”

“Brother, if you took the tour through the brewery, you'd not make it.

Each section we'd tour, you'd ask questions those girls wouldn't know how to answer and by the time we were done, you'd be firing them all. Me, I went and did it because there was a girl whose ass looked so hot in those green khaki uniform pants, I just had to get to know her.

What's funny is she had no clue who I was and she told me to get lost. Then, the next week, I went to her Supervisor and gave her her paycheck. She about died.”

“So, did you get a date?”

“No, if she wanted me that'd be one thing, but she didn't so I wasn't going to bang my head against a wall and besides, by then, I was hot for a girl that worked at Ted Drew's, so I started going there.”

“What happened to her?”

“She has a boyfriend already, so I'm out of luck.”

“Sheesh, you have luck like me!”

“Yeah, but you don't even try bro. I try and strike out.”

“Maybe that's the problem, we need to go to a ball game.”

“Ok, but don't you think they'd think it weird we went to a ballgame when we've just lost our mom?”

“Yeah, I guess we better wait.”

“Well, let's get the stockholders fed and then go back to the house.”

We turned around, went to get the tractor, and then, fed the buffalo. On the way in, a trolley went by and we waved. People were taking pictures. The next day, CJ came storming into the castle swearing a blue streak. She had a stack of papers all showing us feeding the buffalo. Three had headlines which were negative, others simply noted the brothers were out taking time feeding their animals.

I told CJ, contact the publishers of the three papers and pull every bit of advertising we have from them. Then, put double the ads in their competing papers. If they are corporate owned, get me the name of the publisher and I'll make a few phone calls to get the editors sacked.. If they don't, we pull advertising from all of their papers.”

CJ nodded and said, “Here's their publisher. She gave me the name and the phone number. When I got the number dialed, a receptionist answered and I said, “Hello, I need to speak with the owner of your corporation.”

“I'm sorry, we can't divulge that information.” “

This is Pete Stein. I'll tell you to get the man on the phone, but I understand you're not in that position. I too run a company that advertises with yours. I'll contact your publisher myself. Thank you..”

When I got off the phone, I said, “CJ, I need the man's name and I need his board's names. I want their phone numbers and I want their other companies. If they're on the board, I want their worth and I want that like now. If I've got to buy the motherfucker, I'll fire that bastard editor.”

She looked at me and said, “I'll get it boss. Calm down.”

“They want to attack, They can do it to someone that won't attack back. Fuck him.”

“Whew boss.”

“CJ, don't bring me this shit without a list of follow up numbers from now on. It pissed you off and you sure as shit knew it'd piss me off. Now, I need numbers.”

“Give me a moment to call my office boss and I'll have those names and the information. Don't get on me about it.”

“Ok, I'm sorry, but I need to vent and you don't know how vulnerable I'm feeling.”

“Boss, you've got friends and you've got family.”

“Let's see...they're fucking dropping like flies and half of them just died. So, excuse me all to hell for feeling vulnerable. FUCK!”

“Boss, thanks for making me feel valued. I appreciate that sentiment too. I consider you a friend and you can eat shit buddy because I know you love me.”

“I do. You're not counting as family until you say 'I do'. Now shush.”

She looked at me and laughed. “Sorry boss, but you got a thingy. That ain't gonna work.”

I looked at her and started laughing. “That wasn't a proposal.”

Pres was sitting there and started laughing, “Pete, that was the most pathetic argument I've ever heard. You should have told her you'd make her forget about what she likes with that thingy.”

CJ and I looked at him and said, “Shush!”

He smiled and said, “BOY, I feel loved.”

I went around the table and said, “I'm sorry Pres.”

“I'm ok”

CJ looked at me and said, “Boss, we've got to talk. You're way in deep water and I've got to reel you in.”

“I'm ok. I'm just feeling vulnerable. I told you about that. It'll be better. Right now just sucks.”

“Ok, but I'm seeing things that are scaring me.”

“It'll be ok hon, now let's let it drop.”

“Ok, but what we're going to do is we're going to go out and we're going to go someplace and we're going to vent. Let's go.”

“Where we going?”

“Hell, I don't know, but Pres, we'll be back.”

I looked at Pres and said, “Bud, we'll be back. Ok?”

“Yeah, just get what you need to out of your system. I'll find out who the publisher is and get that job done.”

“Ok, just make sure they promise to sack the editor. We're not talking about apologies here. He had that option to make the right decision and he chose to get hateful.”

“Ok hon, now go!” he said.

We left and CJ looked at me and said, “Hon?”

“Yeah, he started that this morning. He says I call him that so he can call me it.”

“Ok, well you do, but that seemed strange.”

“I think he thinks he needs to grow up. Maybe that's it. He says he's straight, but he can't get laid either.”

“What is it with the men in your family? You and now him. I think that curse just changed.”

“No, with me, it's self imposed. With him, it's hormones. He tried and the first one took a look and thought he was too young. The other had a boyfriend already. He'll find one, but the good thing about the second one was he got a lot of good frozen custard at Ted Drew's trying to get her attention.”

“Where was the first one?”

“She works for us at the brewery. She's one of the tour girls. He thought she had a hot ass, so he went and took a tour and then asked her out. She told him to get lost.”

“Man, poor little rich kid. The girl just turned down a billionaire and she has no clue.”

“Well, he's trying to do it so they don't know about the money. I like the style of it.”

“How'd he get past the Corvette?”

“He took the Chevy truck for the stables.”

“Oh, ok... nice touch. Gotta give him points for that.” she smiled.

“Ceeg”

“Yeah babe.”

“I really didn't mean to yell at you”

“I know hon. You're feeling vulnerable. It's my job to make you realize you've got others that love you.”

“I know, but it's just that we've got a funeral and the fuckers came on our property and they violated our space.”

“You got a point. When they were on your property, they were told photographs of only the animals. They violated that, so therefore, you have a suit. So, sue the shit out of them.”

“Then I have to sue all of them that took the photograph and used it.”

“Only the ones with malicious intent. Yeah, the others violated the rule, but they made it seem like you were still carrying on and doing business. Those three probably have all the same boss.”

“Only one person would do that and he's here in St. Louis.”

“Jack?”

“Yeah.”

“Jack wouldn't go that low, would he?”

“He better not. I'll have to divulge information to his wife.”

“What's held you back?”

“I really didn't want to fuck with his world.”

“Hon, don't tell me that shit. The man fucked yours right into divorce court. Now, fuck him back and what happened to the lawsuit?”

“He paid out of court and he did what he was told at dad's funeral.”

“Ok, so if you can't divulge a little information, then I'll let a little bird talk to his wife at the health club. Just give me the permission.”

“She goes to your health club?”

“No Teresa goes to her health club. Me, I work out at home.”

“Why doesn't Teresa work out at home?”

“We don't have the equipment or the sauna she wants.”

“Ok, so buy it and work out with her.”

“Hon, you're a helluva matchmaker, but no. She goes there and she gets fantasy material and brings it home. SO, we have a better love life.”

“Huh?”

“She goes and she sees someone who turns her on and then she comes home and screws my brains out. Don't tell me you didn't do that when you were married.”

“No, when I was at home in bed with her, it was only her I was in bed with. Now, her on the other hand, it was probably someone who wasn't me.”

“Fuck Charley, you need to fantasize. Who do you fantasize about when you jack off?”

“Ceeg, are you for real asking me that?”

“I know you gotta boss, all guys jack.”

“For your information, we have a really hot guy working in the supply room that catches a lot of my fantasy whack sessions.”

“That guy? What the hell is so special about him?”

“His eyes, his smile, his way he looks at me, his arms, his chest and the way he reaches up to get things has me ordering pencils by the box.”

“Shesh, you got it bad.”

“Nah, if I had it, it wouldn't be bad.”

She laughed and said, “Ask him out!”

“No, he's an employee and if I did that, it'd be crossing a line I couldn't go back across. That be a violation of the business ethics.”

“I understand.”

“Ok, now hon, what I want to talk with you about is Pres is coming downtown for a few days a week and he's going to have a couple of days open out at his plant. What I'd like to do is have you think about running it for those days.”

“Ok, but only for a couple days a week.”

She looked at me and said, “You need to take an extra day a week off. Take two for the parks and two for the brewery and take one for you and go do something.”

“That's what Pres and I were discussing when those photographs were taken.”

“Ok, so you going to?”

“I'm not ready for a relationship. I'll know when it's time, but not now.”

We went back to the house and as we were pulling up the drive, we found an ambulance, fire trucks, and police vehicles.”

I got out and ran up to the Police Chief, “What's going on?”

“Your younger brother has committed suicide.”

“What!”

“He killed himself up in his room with a pistol.”

“Oh my....” the world went black.

When I was brought to, CJ was standing over me, “CJ, Pres is dead?”

“Yes hon, I went in and identified his body myself. He left a note saying he wanted to be with him momma, daddy, and sister.”

“What's going to happen to the company?”

“We need to speak to legal, but as his only living relative, I'd say you're the owner of it all.”

“Oh no....this can't be happening.”

“Honey, don't worry about the company, I”ve called a doctor. He'll come and sedate you.”

“No...no...no...I've got to make a statement. If I don't, the stock will slide and our workers will suffer. Shut it down for a week and give them all pay.”

“Ok babe, let's at least get you up to your room.”

“No, I want to go to the living room. I've got to speak to the staff.”

“Ok, I'll call them all together.”

We went in to the living room and gradually, the ambulance and fire department left. The Chief of Police stayed and said, “I need to stay with his body until the funeral home comes.”

“Did someone call them?”

“Yes. Are you going to be ok Pete?”

“I'll be fine. I can understand why he did it, but I'll be fine.”

CJ looked at me and said, “If you knew he was going to do this, then why didn't you stay?”

“Listen up bitch, if I knew he was going to do this, I WOULD have fuckin' stayed. I didn't say that. Where in the FUCK did you hear me say that. I SAID I could UNDERSTAND why he did it, not that I KNEW he was going to do it..”

She gave me a look and said, “Don't ever speak to me that way again.”

“Leave. Don't ever hit a fucking accusation and expect me to step out of your ass again. You'll play hell for an apology. I took that as an accusation and I think you meant it as one. You were here and you and I both knew nothing. If I thought he was going to do something, don't ever consider yourself so important as to think you'll take place of family. Now leave.”

“I'm sorry.”

She gave me a look and I said, “CJ, we've been friends for a long time. Don't ever pull that shit again.”

I rolled over and said, “And don't ever think you can give me drugs to lessen the pain. I've got to run this motherfucker full time now and I'm not enjoying the thought one moment. Be expecting some cold hearted shit to come from me. We're going to tighten our belts and we're going to start shutting plants. If I can't get around to see them all, by God I'll make it so I can see them in one visit...here in the city.”

“That's a lot Boss, do you think we can up the capacity?”

“We'll get it done. When downtown goes down, my requirements for it to come back up is it having doubled in capacity. They'll have to give me that on paper before I rebuild it.”

“Ok, you might not want to think about this, but who are you going to fill the board with?”

“Call our biggest distributors and tell them I want meetings with them. They won't have ownership, but I think we'll do good to have them on the board. I'll be damned if we put a fucking banker on the board. We have one and I can't stand the son of a bitch. He thinks he can talk above our heads and attempts to get us to go into debt every month. He needs to know we've got corporate responsibility. We don't have a President that will bail our ass out of hawk every time we get into debt over our head.”

“Boss, it's 1991, we need to make a guideline for the next two decades and then think about retiring.”

“Lucky you. My retirement plan just committed suicide.”

“Boss, we have to look for you someone and/or get you a kid to adopt. Your brother has kids.”

“Don't go there. He accused me of poisoning their minds against him. All I did was told them their dad was turning out to be like his dad. He turned out worse.

My dad only married them and then fucked them. Jack has affairs on affairs. His stupid fucking wife thinks he's still going to work and thinks he's still faithful to her. One of these days, he's going to have a heart attack on top of one in a motel and then, I'll have to call her and tell her the truth.”

“No, you just let the police tell her. The only way you're to tell her a thing is if he dies. Then, go in and tell her everything. Snakes have a way of biting and I want his fangs away from you.”

“He'll stay away. He has to give an apology to get one share, and that's only at my dad's directive. Otherwise, he'd not get a dime. My dad wanted him on the board, but I don't foresee that happening. If I'm going to own it, then people need to understand I'm going to be doing a lot more than what I've been doing. I'll be making that place the best and selling off the rest.”

“Ok, but just stay in communication with me.”

“I will. Now, you go home and get some rest.”

“Boss, we have to take care of their elephants for them.”

“Yes, and I'll have to do that now. It's unfair of what's happened to those beasts. They're going to miss them.”

“We all will sir.”

“CJ!”

“No, the next time you ever want to hit attitude with me because I make a mistake, you'll have my resignation. From here on out, I'll remember my place and you'll be called sir. You got my apology, but the next time, you'll have my resignation and there won't be any talking me back. SO, sir it will be. And fuck you if you don't like it.”

“Leave CJ, if that's the way it's going to be. I'll do this on my own. I'll speak to you at the board meetings, but unless you want that plant out there full time, then don't come into the office. I'll have Ethel brought up to get your job done.”

She looked at me and said, “Ethel!”

“I have to have people who are loyal to the company. She's the best we have. You're there, but you've got to do bigger things from now on. You knew it would come to this, so don't deny the responsibility.”

“You going to try to pull me in to work with you.”

“I'd thought about it, but not EVER with you calling me sir. If that's going to happen, you can stay as far away from me as I can get you. Only one person gets to do that and he's downstairs crying his eyes out.”

“Pete, don't get cynical over this.”

“No, I have a friend that accused me of something I didn't do and when I step in her ass over it, she wants to end the friendship.”

“I didn't say I wanted to end it.”

“You just did. You know I won't tolerate anyone calling me sir and if you think I'll respect you with you deliberately doing it, then think again. My dad banished people to Siberia, now I know why he did it. You now know why you're going there.”

“You'll have my resignation in the morning.”

“Then so be it. I won't have you calling me sir.”

“Fuck you Pete. You'll get it.”

She turned around and walked out. I lay there thinking if there was any other way I could have handled that conversation differently. There wasn't.”

The funerals happened. I can't say they went good or badly. I wasn't there mentally.

When I returned to work, I called in plant managers and told them I wanted proof where they could give me increased production. I also told each of them to go back to their cities and to be scouting for areas or property with a minimum of one hundred and fifty acres to build new breweries.

I then contacted the head of Engineering and told him, “Your project is to start designing me Super Breweries. Starting with downtown, I want a brewery which will give me at least three billion barrels a year.”

“What!”

“You heard me. Now, I expect that thing drawn in six months. It's your priority and everything else can wait.”

“Pete, our kettles will have to be huge!”

“Or, the process will have to change. Get the guys together and put your thinking caps on. I want a different way to go other than counting on all these breweries all over the place.”

When he left the office, I called Graham packaging and said, “I need to speak with you. If technology hasn't improved to make me a bottle yet, then I'll have to either buy your company and see that it happens or go with another supplier. I want a plastic bottle.”

“Pete, it's not possible.”

“Then batten down the hatches because I'm going to look into buying you.”

I hung up and called my attorney. “Find out how much Graham Packaging has out and buy me all of it you can. I want the company.”

“It's not possible Pete.”

“Ok, then find me another supplier for plastic bottles. I want one.”

“I'll look”

“Get back with me on it.”

He hung up and then I called him back.”Also, be looking at every brewery that's publicly traded. I'm going to be buying some.”

“Where? You already own seventeen around the world.”

“Look at anything over a hundred thousand barrels and then get back with me on it.”

“Ok Pete.”

So it began. I began buying up companies and reporting the purchases to the board. They couldn't stop me and they knew it. I had enough money in the reserves to buy back fifty one percent of the stock and if I ever needed to leverage it, believe me those on the board would be thrown to the wolves.

Instead, I was careful and choosy about who I put on it. The one guy I'd requested to put on the board from Citibank had made me regret it so many times, I finally told the board in front of him one day, “When this son of a bitch comes up for renewal, I'll have someone in his place to replace him with. If he doesn't like it, he needs to take a look at who has six hundred million in his bank. This fucker wants me to borrow money when I don't need it. If he's so stupid as to not know what I've got in reserves, then he needs to stay the fuck away from me.”

He got up and walked out. From that day on, he never attended another board meeting and that was great by me.

The years sailed on and when the towers fell, I went through the motions. We did our patriotic commercials and we did a nice job of them, but my heart wasn't in it.

We sailed on through Katrina and I really didn't even involve myself in the involvement of the plant in it. We attempted to hire some of the refugees in Houston at that plant, but for all intents and purposes, the ones that went to work, were soon put out the door. They didn't think they needed to work.”

The new plants started being phased in. When St. Louis downtown came online, I immediately ordered Milwaukee shut.

The union screamed, but their last contract negotiation, they acted like I was possessed and they were my saviors. They now know I have a non-forgiving attitude when it comes to knowing who signs paychecks.

A lot of good people lost their jobs and my only public comment was, “They should have put better people in to lead them at the contract negotiation. I never forgot.”

As soon as the last man left Milwaukee, I wanted a statement to be made and I ordered the plant to be torn down and the vacant lot to be donated to charity. I then used that as a bargaining tool when the contracts came up in Pittsburgh and Tampa.

Tampa gave me some grief and I went to Jacksonville and ordered a new plant to be built. When it was completed, I filled it with workers who were non-union and gave them concessions which made them think they were union. I then told the plant manager, “If it goes union, you'll be told to shut the plant and you'll be terminated. I just spent a billion and three to prove a point to Tampa.”

I then ordered Tampa to be closed and did the same as Milwaukee.

Pittsburgh's union capitulated and I told them, “I'm going to automated extensively and if you fight me on it, I'll build another. I only need two more breweries online to do away with the rest. If you think I'll not take those jobs to St. Louis, then you're crazy.”

He sneered at me and I said, “Sir, this is the last negotiation we'll do. Take that back to your people and if you don't tell them your attitude just cost them their jobs, then I will. We'll see who's strung up by their balls.”

“I'll ruin you!”

“Sorry, that's been said and that's been done by the deaths of my family. No one could get me to attempt to feel anything anymore, so fuck you. Get out.”

He looked at me and said, “Pete, you've changed.”

“Yes I have.”

When I left Pittsburgh, I told the pilot to take me to California. I wanted to go to the park. I called my secretary and said, “Cancel all appointments until further notice and the one's that can't be cancelled, tell them if they want to meet with me, they'll have to walk through elephant shit to do so.”

She laughed, but I was serious. I had to get away from it and it didn't matter.

When the union renegotiations came up for Pres' railroad, the man really irked the hell out of me. He failed to remember history and he failed to see who his biggest contracts were funded by. As soon as he attempted to get nearly double pay per hour, I said, “Sir, strike and I'll have the company bankrupt before a month's out. Go and take a look at the contracts and see who is paying those.”

I left the office and called Burlington Northern and told them I needed shortline service. They came in and gave me a comparable quote. I then started selling locomotives and canceled the brewery contracts.

In less than a month, Pres' railroad was under. The people who were negotiating probably are still sitting at the table thinking I'm on my way.

We coasted on up until 2006. For some reason, I began to see a light at the end of the tunnel and started to come back out of the fog.

I can't say there was a defining moment which caused it, but the Christmas card from 2006 noted it'd been fifteen years CJ hadn't been in my life. I hadn 't realized it was that long and when she sent my birthday card, she asked, “Can I come in from the cold now?”

I didn't find it humorous, but it did strike a chord with me that I'd treated her exactly as my father did many people. I went back to Missouri and went to CJ's house.

When I got there, I noticed it'd been completely remodeled and I liked the formal elegance of it. She's installed a portico over the driveway and had added a mansard, French chateau roof line. The two simple changes made all the difference in the look.

I went to the door and rang the bell. When Teresa answered it, she smiled and gave me a huge hug. She said, “She's not here.”

“Where's she at?”

“She's living downtown. We've been split up for three years. My retirement from the castle keeps me and that's how I make it, but she changed after that day.”

“I know. I couldn't deal with being accused of doing something I didn't do. I sure wasn't going to turn into a pussy and back down from it when it was so glaringly obvious. So, we ended a friendship.”

“Pete, I think it was hard on her because the amount of devastation in your life was so horrendous. With one person, it's easy to pick up the pieces. With the rest of your entire family, I don't even know how you survived.”

“Hon, I'm just now coming out of the fog. I don't know how to say it, but I've been a real bastard to a lot of people and when I couldn't take it any longer, I had to get away. Now, I've got another breath of air and I need to change a lot of things.”

“Which way are you heading now?”

“We've got production where it needs to be. Now, I'm going to gradually increase the price of the product and I'm going to change distributions. We have an antiquated system to get the beer to the consumer and we need to wake up and change it.

So, this year, I'm going to be getting a new direction and only the ones that can see the future are going to be a part of it. All the rest will be considered dinosaurs and left to rot.”

“How are you going to do that?”

“The ones with vision are the ones who will get the distribution centers . There are going to be eight of them across the country. All the rest of them, it will be appearing to be business as usual, but their role will be greatly diminished as those eight will be the new board members.

Computers are the way everything has headed and if you've not seen the way Wal-Mart operates, then you really need to. It's amazing. We get under their wire because they can't distribute the alcohol across state lines, but I've been there and now, I want our system to be that way. I want the ability to tell our customers what we expect and get it.”

“You're not going to get the consumer to change.”

“No, I've realized the consumer really isn't the bottom line to us. Yes, I'll still advertise to them, but my customers are the convenience stores, grocery stores, and all the liquor stores who carry our product. They buy it, but that's the end of the road to us.

The consumer buys from them, or they buy from someone else's location, but the end result is we serve those locations and they're now trying to tell us we'll do so on their terms. Well, they have that backwards. We can and we will take our product and walk. It's not like there aren't twenty other places down the street that aren't selling it.”

She smiled and said, “You know Pete, I can see a change, but don't get me wrong, I think I like the change. It's more ballsy and it's more take it or leave it, but if you leave it, I'm not coming back. You put up a shell, but you're still you. I think I like this Pete better.”

“This Pete is a lot better than the one that negotiated union contracts. That one was a total asshole to people.”

“No, you were doing business. The way I saw it, you weren't doing anything that didn't need to be done. Even the press made you out to be the hero, so don't worry there.”

“Hmmm, the press actually standing up for me. That reminds me, I never did carry through with that threat over our pictures. Maybe the guy is about to retire now and I can yank his retirement out from under him. I'll have to talk to you later.”

“Don't be a stranger.”

“I won't. She's damned dumb for giving you up.”

“She's got someone new.”

“Well, maybe she can see what I think of that at the next board meeting.”

“Don't do anything Pete.”

“No, just be ready to be placed upon the board. I took you girls in as a couple and she needs to know I meant you two to stay together. If she can't deal, then she'll need a wake up call.”

“No Pete, I'm happy. Don't do anything. I'll find someone some day and that's where I'm at with it.”

“Teresa, that's crap. You two told me it was for better and worse and till death do you part. Now, unless I've got a grave to go to, then she needs to know this pisses me off.”

“She's living her life. I don't think it's going to matter to her. You can't do anything to her, so take a look at that.”

“Maybe I can't, but maybe she still needs to know my opinion.”

“That should have been done three years ago Pete. I think it's a bit late now. Maybe you need to see you coming in from the cold was just a little too late and there were things you couldn't control if you'd wanted to.

Don't try putting us back together. We've gotten over it and we've healed.

Now, I'm glad to see you're back, but don't do me any favors. If you want her to live with you, then you do that, but don't make her live here. She's not welcome.”

“Ok, you've told me a lot I can understand. I'm sorry I let you two down.”

“Hon, it was me that let you down when that happened. I should have stepped in and saved your friendship. Instead, I supported her blindly. Now I know you were in the right and she's the one that changed, but I don't know why.”

“Me neither, but she and I left to go take care of me and when we got back, we found out my other leg was kicked out from under me and then, when I was down, she thought she could kick me too.

She now knows, Pete Stein's been down lower than that and it was called my childhood. When you think no one loves you and they're around, it's a far sight different than when it's because they've died.”

She nodded and said, “Pete, before you go home, I need to tell you something.”

“What's that?”

“Conroy, he's terminal with cancer. He's probably got a month.”

“Oh my God!”

“Yeah, it's been a long time Pete. Everyone keeps saying you know things, but I know you don't. If you'd known, you would have been here. I know your heart isn't that far gone.”

“I've got to go home.”

I drove home and the whole way, I kicked myself in the ass hard and cried.

When I walked in, I went into the dining room and expected to see Conroy. He wasn't there. Merriam walked in and she knew instantly by the look upon my face.

“My God, you didn't know!”

“No, where is he?”

“He's in his quarters. He's been telling everyone you knew.”

“He ought to have his ass fired. He never told me a thing. Now, I've got to go help my friend.”

“He's bad. You're going to be shocked. He's lost most of his body weight.”

“Oh man.”

“Yes dear, CJ comes to see him.”

“And I never got told. She's off the fucking board. That's two God Damned secrets I've learned she's kept.”

“Pete! You put her out, she didn't.”

“She did it to herself and if she told you otherwise, she's a lying bitch. Now, you should know she's going to be off my board. I need people I can trust.”

“You can trust her. She's only kept that from you because he told her.”

“Friends don't do that. Both of them should be fired, but then how can you explain why I wasn't told about her and Teresa?”

“I thought you knew about that too.”

“....and blindly supported her. Do you think I'd do that to Teresa? Both of them are friends.”

“And both of them chose to end that relationship. Don't hold it over Jackie's head.”

“Man, I've called her CJ for so long I forgot what her real name was. I'm sorry.”

She came forward and said, “Pete, I love you. Everyone loves you, but you've changed.”

“Yeah, and I'm coming back now. It was too much and it was too hard. I'm back and now, I'm coming back and making things right.”

“One thing you need to make right is your love life.”

“I've got that coming. I think. Somehow, it's right here in the bottom of my chest and I can feel it's about to change. I don't know who yet, but I know it's just around the bend.”

“You don't know how refreshing it is for me to hear that. For too long, you said it was you had to take care of something, or someone else. Now I'm glad to hear it's your turn.”

“Not until after Conroy's settled. He's my priority. Whoever his nurse is needs to know I'll be sitting with him now.”

“I'm that person. He didn't want you to see an extra person upon the payroll.”

“Man, that man is bullheaded.”

“I've thought that a time or two about you.” she giggled.

“Well, between he and Luis, I learned well.”

“He wants to be buried with Luis. Is it ok if we open the family vault for him?”

“Luis is in the family vault?”

“Yes, you didn't know that?”

“No. Was he related?”

“No, through the years, your family has let valued employees be interred there.”

“I never knew, but I've not been inside of it. At dad's funeral, I stood outside with the kids. At Win and the kid's funerals, I can't remember a thing.”

“Pete, can I say something without you thinking an old woman has lost her mind?”

“What's that?”

“I think those kids are upstairs still. I go to their wing and I hear kids laughing. Do you think I'm crazy?”

“No, but I do wish they'd go see those elephants.”

“Maybe that's why they've stayed.”

“Then maybe they'll go to heaven when the elephants die. I wonder if they let kid's pets go with them to heaven?”

“They probably do, can you imagine with them beasts having halos and wings?”

“Yeah, Brandy will be a harp player for sure. She already plays the trumpet the most.”

We chuckled and said, “Hon, I know you're back. Somehow, I feel it.”

“I think it was Ceeg's Christmas card. Tell her she can come in from the cold, but we need to talk.”

“She's happy, Pete. Don't get on her about the breakup. She let Teresa keep the house because she knew it was her.

She had to feel useful and without the brewery, she got into a hobby of throwing mud and making pottery. She's really good and there are some powerful pieces of artwork she's done. One of them looks exactly like you.”

“Hmmm, let me know where it is and I'll go there this afternoon.”

“You might not be up to it. You're going to be shocked.”

“What do you mean?”

“Turn around.”

I turned around and I saw an old man who was nothing but skin and bones. In all my years of knowing Conroy, I'd never seen him less than impecably dressed. He was shuffling along in a pair of bottom pajamas and an undershirt. He had on a robe, but the sight took my breath from me.

She said, “He hasn't seen you, but that's what he's become.”

“My God.”

“Yes, now go let him know you're back.”

I went over to the table and pulled out a chair. He looked up at me and said, “Good morning Sir.”

“When was I going to be told?”

“I didn't want you to know.”

“Why not? Maybe it was the wake up call I needed.”

“Too many people you've loved have died. I didn't want to cause you anymore pain.”

Tears stung my eyes. “And it wouldn't have diminished the pain. It still hurting. Now, about the permission of you being with Luis. I will if you tell me you actually did love him.”

He looked at me and had tears in his eyes. “I did sir.”

“I know. It would have helped to know that more, but I knew.”

A tear slid down his cheek and I reached over to wipe it away. “It's hurt so badly. The day he died, your father, sir. He took me on as he knew. He knew about you and I think he sort of wanted me to be more to you. What I became was a friend to you and I treasured that.”

“I know. You know I loved Luis like a father.”

“I know that. And he loved you like a son. He'd come to our apartment and he'd tell me what you'd done as your latest endeavor into shennanigans. He'd laugh as if it were he who would be doing them with you. Then, he'd have to tell me how he'd give you a light punishment. The day you rode the Zebra to lasso the goat was the funniest I think I'd ever heard.”

“I thought I had that Zebra trained. They only let you think they're trained and just about the time you think you can count on them, they'll turn crazy on you.”

He laughed and said, “Luis laughed and laughed and laughed about that. He really loved you.”

“I know. And in your own way, I loved you too.”

“I know. You took me from a lowly servant up to being someone who ran this castle. You know I wasn't up to it.”

“You're the only one I trusted.”

He looked towards the kitchen door and said, “Give the job to her, Sir. She deserves it.”

“She'll have it. It's strange, but I think she's the only one besides you now that I know.”

“Probably. Good help is hard to find.”

“And hard help is good to find” I laughed. “That's what Luis used to say.”

We laughed and he put his hand upon mine. “Sir, you need to forgive her. She loves you and she's been more of a friend to you than you know.”

“I know. We both have egos and now it's time to talk.”

“She's happy where she is. When you see her, you're going to be surprised. She's really lost weight.”

“Why?”

“Because it makes her happier now. I think it looks unhealthy and don't even get Merriam started on her, but if she's happy, then that's what matters.”

“No one let me know a thing with them, nor with you. I'm a bit upset about that.”

“I know you are, but some things are out of your control. We'll have our own lives with, or without you. Somehow, in your sense of responsibility, you've thought you had to keep everyone happy. What you've not done is you've not took care of the one that should matter the most.”

“I'm about to start doing that.”

“When you do, let him know you can be a stubborn pain in the ass.”

“No, because if I do that, then he'll not want to be around me.”

“Pete, you're a Stein. He'll love you. If that boy upstairs had known that, he wouldn't have been so depressed.”

“I don't know why he did it.”

“I know, but I don't think you need to hear. It will make you too depressed.”

“No, just tell me.”

“He wanted to be the one to comfort you and you walked out the door with CJ.”

“And he killed himself over it!?”

“Pete, people who kill themselves don't always have the best reasons. His heart was broken and I thought he'd go upstairs and be ok. I sure never knew he'd do that. I'm sorry sir.”

“It's not your fault. It's mine.”

“NO! It's not. It's not anyone's. She blamed herself, I've done it to, and we don't need you doing it either. It will suck you down again and I don't want that. Now, don't make me regret having told you.”

His voice was stronger than I think I'd heard it during the whole conversation. I looked up at him and said, “I'm sorry.”

“I am too. It doesn't make up for it. He's where he needs to be and I know that as well as you. He's with your mama and daddy, and your little girl.”

I nodded and said, “What can I do to make things better for you?”

“IF anything, I want to go to see Luis before I go to be with him.”

“Oh man. I'll do that, but let me get mentally prepared. That's going to be hard. I think both of us are going to be blubbering idiots after that one.”

“Sir, I know we will, but it's something I really need to do. You fail to realize it, but with your family as being the only one's with the keys, no one who loves the ones inside can enter. I've been leaving flowers at the gates all these years.”

“Why didn't you tell me? I would have given them to you!”

“Maybe I wasn't ready for the questions you'd ask. I am now.”

“And I already knew. What fools we've been.”

He looked at me and smiled, “Sir, you might agree to that, but I've acted with complete propriety.”

“And you let another human being come between you and his grave.”

“I needed to sir. I think as badly as I've felt some times, if I'd been able to get in there, you'd have found me with his body held in my arms. I've missed him terribly.”

“I can only imagine. I miss the kids, but their memories are what has kept me going. I've missed Win like a nail in my eye, but I've made it.”

He put his hand on mine and the tears really flowed down his cheeks. “There's more of him in you than you know.”

“What. He taught me that phrase.”

“I think you might be his.”

“Huh!”

“Your mother liked men.”

“Yeah, she did.”

“Well, your father told me before he passed the two months you were conceived he wasn't here in the states. He told me he thought you were Luis'.”

“And that's why father was so distant. And that's why I look nothing like the rest of them.”

“Sir, you're a Stein. Luis is an illegitimate son of your grand daddy.”

“Oh my God.”

“Yes. Your grand daddy loved his Mexican women. When the depression hit, he had to let go of staff. When he went to buy the land for the brewery in Houston, he met up with Luis' mama and he brought her up here to stay. She was already pregnant with Luis.

“So, my father was really my uncle.”

“Yes, and there are other heirs out there, that's why your dad was so worried about heirs coming forward. He was afraid he'd have to tell you his suspicions.”

“And he told you all of this.”

“He told me to tell you so you would know but not to hurt your feelings.”

“I loved them both.”

“I know you did. Now, let's go see them so we can pay our respects.”

“When?”

“I'll be dressed and ready in a few moments just as soon as I can go get Merriam.”

“No, I'll help you. Lord knows you've given me the honor a few times.”

“It wasn't supposed to be my job, but I did it out of curiosity.”

“Curiosity to see if you were really Luis' son.”

“You old codger.”

“I wasn't codgering sir, I did it because I loved him and any memory of him would bring me closer to him.”

“I understand. I can only hope to love someone that much.”

“You will, some day.”

“Well, let's go up and get you ready and then I'll go get the keys to the crypt.”

Tears came to his eyes and he said, “You don't know how happy, you've made me.”

“I understand. Let me go call the gardener and get six bunches of flowers. Then he'll have those ready for us to take.”

“I appreciate it.”

“Conroy, please don't say anything else. I know you're happy. I'm sorry I've been such a complete ass. Now I'm back, so I want to start making things right for you.”

He looked at me and said, “Go call her and get her to go with us.”

“I don't even know her number now.”

“Merriam will have it for you. She's probably already gotten it dialed since she tends to me like a mother hen.”

“Ok.” I smiled “You needed someone like that for a long time.”

“Oh bull.”

I went into the kitchen and said, “I need CJ's phone number. When I get off the phone, would you please contact the gardener and have him get us six bunches of flowers sent up so we can take them to the family crypt?”

“You're taking him to the crypt?”

“Yes, he requested to go.”

“Ok, then I should go.”

“If you desire, but I'm going with him, so he'll be ok.”

“He's not stable. If there's a walk, he'll need support.”

“Ok, but I want her to meet us there.”

She smiled at me and said, “Good. Maybe this will bring closure to this mess.”

“I certainly hope.”

She dialled the phone and handed it to me. It rang and a voice trilled, “Hullo”

“Hi, This is Pete Stein, is CJ there?”

“There is no CJ here.”

“Then Cracker Jack, or Jackie.”

“One moment. I do not believe she will speak to you.”

“If she doesn't, you inform her I'll be there in about the length of time it takes for me to put my car in haul and get there. When I get there, she will see me.”

“One moment.” I heard in the background, “Baby, it's for you. It's someone you don't wish to speak. Shall I tell him to go fuck off?”

“No, I'll speak to whomever it is. It can't be that bad.” I heard CJ's voice coming closer to the phone.

“Hello”

“Hi, If you're ready to come in, I'm taking Conroy to the family crypt. I'd like for you to meet us there.”

“Oh my Lord. It's you.”

“Yeah, so you ready to play nice because I am.”

“Ok, but we've got to talk.”

“Yes we do, but leave your hatchets and all sharp instruments at home...namely your tongue and I'll do likewise.”

“You asshole!”

“I have to go get him dressed and the gardener is preparing flowers, so Merriam and I are driving him over. He wants to see Luis again.”

“That's sweet of you.”

“If I'd known he was wanting to see him, he would have had the keys all these years. I had no clue.”

“I understand. Let me get this piece I've got on the table done and I'll be right there. It's over at River View, right?”

“Yeah, you know where it is. We've taken too many trips there together.”

“Yes, we have and I'm afraid we'll take more.”

“Well, he's being interred there, so we will.”

“Good. He wants to be with him.”

“They'll be together. We need to talk about that too. He told me some information I had no clue about.”

“I have a feeling.”

“It's correct if he's not told you.”

“Well, let me go get this done and I'll be right there and Pete?”

“Yes”

“I do love you.”

“I know and I do you too.”

She hung up without a word and I hung up slowly. Merriam was standing there and said, “Hon, that was the best phone conversation I've ever heard. You could use a bit of polish on the sharped instruments comments, but other than that, it was beautiful.”

“Remind me to disarm mine before I see her.”

She laughed and said, “No, because she's my sister and I know she's not going to totally leave her's at home. Just play nice or else!”

“Ok, now I've got to go dress him.”

“I'll be ready myself.”

“Ok”

I went back out and said, “She's meeting us there.”

“Good, you need her.”

“I know...just about as much as I need another hole in my head.”

“Shush. I don't know how you've managed without her.”

“It's been damned hard.”

“Well, at least I know that much is true. We've all had a hard time of it.”

“Things will be better now.”

“At least I saw the day.”

“Don't talk like that.”

“Pete, it's coming closer every day. “

“I wish you'd told me sooner.”

“I wish you'd never been told at all. But since you know, I'll not argue it.”

“Let's go dress you.”

He smiled and said, “I'm glad you're home.”

“I am too.”

We went up and dressed him and he said, “Pete, between you and I, I want to be cremated and my ashes to be spread in amongst his. If they can't do that, will you do that for us?”

“They cremated him?”

“They did that at my request sir. We did that when we opened the crypt back up to put Win and the kids in.”

“Ok, I was pretty out of it.”

“I know sir.”

“I'm a bit worried how things will go out there. I've not been there since that day.”

“You really should go out there to pay your respects like Mother's Day, Father's Day, Memorial Day, and the holidays.”

“Ok, I'll do that.”

“Sir, would you do something for my request?”

“Sure, just name it.”

“The gas company has an eternal flame they will set up. Check to see if you can get the gas lanterns for out there. It would be a nice touch for the front instead of those sconces that used to have torches.”

“Ok, I'll get on that.”

“Thank you sir.”

“No, thank you. It's small details like that I miss.”

“You need her sir.”

“We're only going to be friends. She'll not likely work for me again. It'll be a hard time to find anyone else to work for me like she did.”

“I could make suggestions.”

“Ok”

“Merriam has a niece whose very much like her. She's straight, but she's a great girl. Contact her and make her an offer.”

“Ok, I'll do that.”

“Sir, I'm ready.”

“Ok, I doubt if I am, but let me go get the keys. I really wish you'd gotten the keys from me so you could have seen him.”

“Sir, they were in your Father's possession and I couldn't have done that.

If I weren't nearly dead, I would have never asked you.”

“Well, I'll go visit you. I should have been going to see them.”

“Sir, we all make mistakes. You now know better.”

“Thank you.”

He smiled and said, “You have no idea the ways I need to Thank you sir. When I got this job, I had no reason to live. Then, I gained that with you. Now, you give me Thanks, and I'm ready to go be with him. Promise me they'll not do any life saving measures. I want to be with him that much.”

“I understand. Just promise me when you go over to be with them you'll smile down upon us all.”

“I'll get that damned infernal curse lifted sir. I know that's what caused this.”

“Thank you. I don't know how I upset them, but I know I did it in some way.”

“It has a way of rearing it's ugly head when we least expect it. I'll get it lifted and do what's needed to get you work of what to do. I really think it should have been settled when we sealed those caves.”

“Me too.”

We went out and Merriam had the limo ready. It wasn't often we used it, but we kept one around from the brewery cars. It was replaced every so often, but I rarely used it myself.

As we drove, I thought to myself. 'When he's gone, an era's gone. The new generation won't have an idea of what this man brought to our house.”

I looked over at Conroy and asked, “Where did you study to be a butler?”

“England sir. If you want another, you need to notify them well in advance.”

“No, there can't be anyone to replace you.”

“There will always be someone sir.”

“Shush”

When we arrived at the cemetery, I saw a Rolls Phantom parked in front of the crypt. “Is that her?”

“Yes sir”

“Damned nice car.”

“English sir.”

“Probably has a voice in it that calls me sir that I couldn't shut off if my life depended upon it.”

He smiled and said, “Not much longer now, sir.”

“Hush. I'd put up with you until my dying day, but just no one else.”

He smiled and said, “I attempted to give you a proper upbringing. I see how little I was appreciated.”

“You were, but no one else could ever be. If I had did this with everyone calling me sir, you know how long that would have lasted?”

“Yes sir, I do. But, you need to give them a sense of propriety. You are their boss. You are a Stein.”

“You sound like my Father with that. I know I'm a Stein. It's just I don't want to always be reminded of it.”

He smiled and said, “Your Father said much the same thing when he was young.”

“You knew him then?”

“Yes. He didn't remember, but his second wife was in my Mother's care.”

“Oh”

“She was a spoiled bitch sir. Not one time have you ever laid a hand upon me, but that woman would send my Mother home with hand prints upon her face. How my Mother withstood it, I don't know sir because that's one situation they taught us we could terminate our employ with our charges. I can only guess my Mother was too proper to do such.”

“Well, it gives me another reason to dislike the woman. Is she still alive?”

“No sir, she's since passed. She requested interment, but I told them it would not be proper. I hope you don't mind sir.”

“No, you did fine. I'm glad you made that decision because the expletives wouldn't have escaped me.”

“You will have to contact your mother. She's not long for this world.”

“Conroy, don't ask me to be nice to her. I don't think I could fulfill that request.”

“I just said contact her. I didn't state anything further.”

“Oh, I'll do that sometime. Maybe she'll pass before I get that done.”

“No, do it while you can still make amends. You need to forgive her even if she doesn't apologize.”

“I really don't want to subject myself to her scrutinous questions.”

“Sir, she might have changed.”

“Let's go up here.”

We got out of the car and a frail looking CJ came over. I had expected a weight loss as I'd been forwarned, but the annorexic figure which stood before me was nothing like I'd expected.

She opened her arms and I said, “My God you've lost weight.”

“And I feel better, so don't give me any shit.”

“Ok, but you look thin.”

We hugged and I said, “Are you happy?”

“I'm fine.”

“That wasn't an answer.”

“If I was happy, I'd tell you. Maybe when we're back in good standing I can tell you more.”

“We'll make time.”

She gave me a look like I knew I'd be hearing from her what's going on.

Together, we walked Conroy up to the crypt. It was cold, damp, and not as I expected. I unlocked the gate, and then, I went and opened the door. The mildew essence which escaped from inside nearly caused me to wretch.

“Let's stand out here to let it air. It's awful in there.”

Merriam went in and took off her coat. She began slinging it around and soon, she said, “It's aired.”

I went in and the air was better. I went over and gave her a hug and said, “Remind me to get a furnace in here.”

“They won't do it. This is just the way they are. It's all these cold stones. I will need to get in here and do some cleaning.”

“Have others do it and you Supervise. This is terrible.”

We went in and it was surprisingly larger than it appeared on the outside. The generations within the building were humbling. I saw my great great grand father's marker and then his wife and their children. There were eight of them.

Then, I saw row after row of other generations and family members. Where servants were interred, their marker stated “Servant to” underneath with which generation they were of.

I noted sixteen vacant slots and thought to myself it needed to be made larger. With my generation, however, it would all end unless Jack's children would come to the brewery. They were of age for them to get a payment from the family, they had to work there. If they didn't, then that window of opportunity would close upon their thirtieth birthday.

I, then thought I should call Jack and speak with him. Maybe we could form a reconciliation, but I wasn't sure if it could happen.

Conroy went over and sat upon a bench I wouldn't have dared sit upon. It was covered with mildew and just didn't look able to be sat upon. I expected the stone to break, and was there to catch him if it should. He sat and maybe it was his frail size, but it held.

I turned to CJ and said, “We need to do something about this. This is horrendous.”

“It is that. I expected bad, but this is awful.”

“Do you think there's a service that does this?”

“I don't know, but we'll see. If we're going to visit here, we'll have to have better.” She winked.

I nodded and Merriam came over and said, “I'll sit with him, You leave your flowers and then go speak with her.”

I nodded and went over to Father's, Win's, Jen's, and Pres' markers. I then took a bouquet to Luis' marker. I smiled and said, “You could have told me and I would have believed you.”

Conroy smiled and said, “If he had, you would have lost all respect for your Father. He did what he had to do. You should have brought flowers for your grand daddy in thanks of giving you a name.”

CJ looked at me and then we went outside.

“Care to explain that exchange?”

“My Father was Luis.”

“I understand that, but what was the other about your grand daddy?”

“My grand father was Luis' biological father, so he and my father were steps.”

“Oh, man this family has a tangled web called a family tree.”

“Yes, and thank God I'm not contributing. Could you imagine what Jack's branches would hold?”

“A baby in every branch. He's sired six more and claims none.”

“That's bullshit.”

“You and I agree, but his wife remains blissfully ignorant.”

“Is there still a way to contact her?”

“Only at the country club they are members. Other than that, she doesn't leave their mansion.”

“Hmmm, when Conroy's gone, I want to wage war and wake that up.”

“I thought you would.” She gave me a look like she wasn't happy.

“What aren't you happy about?”

“Let him rest in his own mess. One day he'll come crawling back. He's not healthy and in order for him to perpetuate the charade, he'll have to come crawling back.”

“What do you mean?”

“The dumb bitch still believes he goes to work at the brewery. How they're living is beyond me. I'd say he squirreled away money in the millions unless there's an account he's drawing checks you've not been made aware.

In order for him to die, and be buried in here, he has to make amends. He knows you'll spill the beans oh so gladly if he doesn't, so I'd say he'll be contacting you when Conroy has gone. He'll think everyone is gone that remembers.”

“Ok, I've got to contact accounting and have them check to see where his income is coming. I can also do a check to see how he's reporting his income. If it's from the brewery, there will be a W-2 form which will point to us an employee id number. As soon as I find that, I'll get it shut off.”

She smiled and said, “I figured that out years ago. Now, we need to get it done.”

“We. Are you coming back?”

“I could be persuaded.”

“Ok, but not even I know how it's ran anymore.”

“I know, but I've been making inquiries.”

“Good, now which way do you want to come back?”

“You and me run it together. I know what you want to do and I think it's about time. For that, I draw the same salary as you and I work there full time.”

“Ok”

“You've mellowed. I expected argument.”

“CJ, the arguing ended. Now, let's just be friends.”

“Ok, I'll drive out tonight. We need to talk about the mess I've gotten myself into.”

“I'm not going to press.”

“That's surprising. I expected an ass chewing.”

“I wanted to give you one, but I got told to leave you be.”

“I do love her.”

“She loves you, but she says she's happy. So, I have to leave it be.”

She smiled and said, “She'd do that.”

“She said she'd cause me problems if I did. I can't afford it.”

She laughed and said, “Oh man, all these years and that's all I had to do!”

“No, years ago, I would have put up a fight. Now, I'm ready to have my friend back however I can get her.”

She looked at me and said, “Thank you.”

“I do love you.”

“And I you too dear. Now, can I shack up at the castle?”

“Sure. For as long as you want. What's going on in your life?”

“I thought I wanted my life simpler. I started seeing her and call it the change of life, or whatever, I went from simple to the most complex fucking mess I could have ever imagined.

What I got was a social life full of 'we're expected to do this, and expected to do that's' which are enough to smother the hell out of me.

For three years, I've been climbing the walls while I pay the fucking bills. Now, I'm ready to pay alimony for the rest of my life if I need to just to get the fuck up out of there.”

“You don't owe her a thing. Your income was made before then.”

“Hon, I promised her half.”

“Jeez, that's a fucking fortune!”

“You and I both know. Now, if I don't pay, I'll probably end up getting sued.”

“Ok, so how much is it?”

“I'll figure it out, but if I have to sell my shares, will you buy them and then sell them back?”

“I'll buy them and give them back if you'll be there for me.”

She smiled and said, “Pete, you're too damned good to me.”

I smiled and said, “Nice ride by the way.”

“Thanks. It was the one present I gave myself when I lost the weight.”

“Why did you lose the weight?”

“One day I woke up and decided I didn't like myself as I was. So, I decided to eat half portions of everything I ate. When I got down to this size, I bought myself a new wardrobe and it's been nice.”

“You look like a scarecrow.”

“Thanks buddy, you look like an old fuck with your hair all gray too, but I've not said anything.”

I laughed and said, “I'll go for some dye if you'll humor me by adding thirty pounds.”

She laughed and said, “You promise to go shopping with me when I can't fit into anything.”

I laughed and said, “We need to order another crypt. I want one with heat and I don't care how much it costs. That's terrible in there.”

“It's 18^th century architecture at it's finest. It wasn't made to be comfortable. They didn't want you to visit. The only people supposed to see the insides was the undertakers. Now, you want to visit, so we'll remodel.”

“Hon, we have to get me an heir. I'm the last and I'll be damned if Jack's kids get a dime. They've been above the age of twenty one long enough they could have called.”

“He's probably the one that poisoned their minds.

When the truth comes out, I want to be a fly on the wall because I want to know what they've been told.”

“Which way do we go about this?”

“Shut off his funds and then, when he realizes he's fucked. Let him come crawling back.

Then, devalue his share by giving it to him with insistance upon the same monetary value be given upon his death. He can't will it to them and he can't do a thing with it except hold the seat upon the board. You've done enough there he'll know he's never going to have any effective input.

You've kept your word to your Father and you've made it so he can't do anything harmful to you. You control the company and he's only allowed for the ride.”

“Ok, so he lives off his board fees?”

“Unless he wants to come to work, and then I'd give him a position out of the way which wouldn't be harmful. Tour Guide at one of the parks would be good.”

I laughed and said, “He'd fuck up a park in a heartbeat.”

“Well, his wife is still referring to him as President of the company. She has no clue.”

“That's got to stop. I've got enough in reserves I can take the company private in a heartbeat.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, I never completely trusted not having control of the board, so I have the ninety percent and have forty eight percent of the other shares under my name. In my bank, I've got enough to go over the fifty one percent to vote it private and then I could leverage it to get the payment of the rest of the stocks as they come up for sale.”

“Don't put yourself into debt.”

“Hon, it's a potential problem I'll never overcome. Each preferred share is resting at three hundred million. I can buy yours back with what I have in Citibank alone. That leaves the one share with is supposed to go to Jack and that won't be worth a thing. So, if I got a billion and a half, I'd be able to buy the other seven.”

“Man, that's a lot.”

“Not really. When I took it private, I'd be wealthy, but I'd have it all under my control and not have to present a thing to the board. To me, that means a lot.”

“Let's give it six months and then we'll see. Just get me out of her life and I'll give you mine and not request them back if you'll make good for me.”

“No problem.”

“Good, now that's ninety three. Who has the other?”

“Citibank still has their share.”

“Ok, so buy it back. They're in hard shape now, that'd be worth it to them.”

“Ok, I'll make the offer. So that'd be ninety four. The other six percent are with our suppliers. We own them, but I have to pay them for them.”

She looked at me and said, “Don't tell me Pres' railroad owned a share.”

“No, Father and I spoke of it, but we decided against it. I'm glad about it because of how that mess went.”

“You were impatient. You should have kept it solvent and just cancelled the contracts.”

“We still own the name and it's neither making a profit or a loss.”

“Ok, start it back up, but sell off the high speed rail to the government. That should get you the billion you need.”

“You think?”

“They'll buy it. They've been eyeing it for some time.”

“Ok, I'll make the offer. As soon as it's on the table though, that's going to probably up the price of the stock.”

“Offer to buy the shares before and have the ink on paper. Then, do the deal to finance it. It's robbing Peter to pay Paul, but you'll still be doing good afterwards.”

“Ok”

I smiled and said, “Boss, you going to help me whip the place back into line.”

“You've got to close everything that isn't St. Louis. Your capacity is way beyond what you'll ever need. The only way I'd keep it going is if you brought all your other brands stateside which wouldn't make sense. Some of the countries won't let it go in, but they'll let you export out. Do that and you'll be safe.”

“Ok”

We chatted and I said, “Let me see your car. I've been looking at them but I've just not thought they were worth the money.”

“They aren't but the looks you get when you drive down the street are amazing. If I were you, I'd get a new convertible though. They're really nice.”

We went down and I sat in it. The scrunch of the leather under my butt was what sold me the car. The feel of the wheel was solid and really nice.”

“I can see why you got it. This is a damned nice car.”

She smiled and said, “A bit of advice is to take a trip to Las Vegas to get it. The dealer out there is willing to deal. He got me eighty grand off this one.”

“Good, it's worth the trip.”

“Pete, one other thing.”

“What's that?”

“Your dad's and the kid's jets are still sitting out there with crews. Get rid of them. Retire out the crews and explain to them it was an oversigtht. They'll understand.”

“Jeez, I've been paying people to sit for all these years.”

“Yeah. I knew the moment you were back you'd get rid of them. After fifteen years, I decided to see if you were ready. I'm glad.”

“You know, some time in the past month, I've felt like I've come in out of the fog. I can't say when it lifted, but it did and I decided it was time to stop living in hotels and come home.”

“You should have come home. Do you realize your office hasn't even been moved into yet?”

“We'll have to change that.”

“Thank God for the Supervisor's meetings. Them folks have been running the company for you and I've been giving advice. If you hadn't left those instructions of to do it as you'd do it, the place would be shut down.”

“I know.”

As we spoke, I felt a renewing bond with CJ. She seemed to brighten and I felt closer to her than I had anyone in years.

She'd suffered problems as did I and we were more mature. Maybe it was my age, 41, but I really felt more alive than I had in many years.

When Conroy was ready, we helped him down to the limo and I nodded at her when she said she'd be out shortly.

During our ride back, Conroy smiled at me and asked, “Things better?”

“Better than they've been in a long time.” I looked at Merriam and said, “Be expecting a new house guest for an indefinite stay.”

She looked at me and said, “Who?”

“Your sister. She's going home to split with her wife.”

“Things that bad?”

“Terrible, but I think both of us are ready for the next few years of business.”

She smiled and said, “She's missed it.”

“I have also. With her, it'll come back.”

She smiled and said, “You two are perfect for each other. You're like a brother to us.”

“I know and it's interesting because she's like a sis to me, but in more ways than that. You, you're like a mother hen.”

Conroy chuckled and said, “I tell her that all the time.”

Merriam laughed and said, “Well someone had to keep you in line.”

When we got back to the house, Merriam called several house girls down and told them to open the second floor wing opposite the children's wing. Conroy looked at her and said, “You're putting her in with you?”

“The children's wing probably won't be opened while I'm here Conroy. Somehow, I can't see harming their memories in my mind. It's too sad.” She said.

He nodded and said, “Someone's got to go in and clean that up. This house needs love in it and I'd feel better know I set you all to straights.”

I chuckled and said, “Merriam, have house girls go in and dust. He'll be happier.”

She smiled and Conroy gave me a look that scalded.

I nodded at him and said, “Conroy, I'll get it done. It's a bit hard, but I'm coming back. The days I spend in that wing are going to be painful.”

“Take CJ in with you and use it as moments of healing. Maybe you can get Brunhilda over there to sit with you.”

“I heard that! For that, you get porridge!”

He smiled and said, “I think there's still enough strength in this old body that if she fed me that gruel, I'd make my way down to cook myself some dinner.”

“What about me?”

“I was hoping you'd order out sir!” he smiled. “You got me into this mess.”

We went up to his room and got him back into his pajamas. He smiled and said, “Thank you. My visit opened my eyes as to how it will be. Make sure my name gets put under yours.”

“That place is going to be remodeled. That's terrible!”

“It's a bit damp.”

“Damp hell, that was like a dungeon! We're going to be renovating it like it should have been done a long while ago.”

“The inhabitants don't mind.”

“The visitors do. There's not much CJ and I agree upon, but we did find common ground there.”

He smiled again and said, “Good. Now what's on your mind?”

“We're thinking about taking the company private again.”

He nodded and said, “Don't....just yet. You have promises to keep.”

“What promises?”

“To them.”

“What promises?”

“Think about it and it will come to you. Use your assets to keep your promises. They've waited patiently, but those need fulfilled. For that, you will be rewarded.”

“I really don't like it when you speak in riddles.”

He smiled and said, “Sir, if I told you what to do, I'd be in your office. My position is here and that's not for much longer I'm afraid. Just promise me when it's my time, you don't drag it out to be an extravagant affair. Pronounce me dead and cart me off to be cremated and then just haul me over to be with him. One afternoon would be sufficient.”

I looked at him and said, “But, all your friends and your family!”

“They're all here. They'll know what I've asked and now, you get in that bottom drawer over there.”

I went over and in the drawer was two photo albums. I brought them over and he said, “Sit with me and we'll look at these. If you can, get an ink pen so as I speak, you'll know who the people are.”

“Ok” I pulled out an inkpen and said, “Here we go.”

I opened the first album and immediately saw baby photos. “Those are me. I was born in 1912 on April 12^th. It was on the Carpathia.”

He continued to tell me his story and acquainted me with all his family member. The next photo album, I opened was Luis'. There weren't many photos of when he was younger, but when he got to be in his teen years, the number increased and I saw a lot of photos of him and my dad outside the back of the castle.

We labeled the photos and when the final page was finished, he said, “I'll be retiring now, take those and keep them safe. Turn off that light on your way out.”

I left and went upstairs. I put the photo albums on my reading table by the windows. I turned to look out the windows and saw one of the elephants down. Dolly was standing beside it.

I began running and as I ran through the downstairs, I yelled to Merriam, “Call Jess and get him out to the North pasture, we've got an elephant down!”

“What!”

“One of the elephants is down, call Jess and get him out there!”

“Oh no!”

I ran out there and Dolly Jean turned towards me. The anger in her eyes was evident. She trumpeted and swung on me with her trunk. “Dolly! Let me in!”

She backed away and I saw it was Brandy. She wasn't breathing and I immediately began to cry. I lay my head on Brandy's side and Dolly came over to rest her trunk upon my shoulder. I stood up and turned to her and hugged her leg. Her trunk patted me on the shoulder.

Jess came running and I said, “She's gone. Get a front end loader and bury her here. She loved this hillside, so let's give her this as her final resting place.”

“She was well this morning.”

“I know. She was old.”

I turned to Dolly and said, “Come on hon, let's not be here while she's being buried.”

Dolly sensed what was going to happen and followed me in. When she got to her stall, I gave her a bucket of dust and rubbed her jaw. She let out a trumpet and then lay down. I looked at her and said, “Dolly!”

She gave a final trumpet and her leg lifted. She kicked and as soon as she lowered her leg, a final blast of air left her body. She too was dead. All I can attribute it to was a broken heart.

I went back out to the pasture and said, “Make the whole big enough for two. Dolly just died up in her stall.”

“What!”

“You heard me. She just died.”

“Oh my God! I swear she was healthy.”

“I know. Her kids were gone and I think the pain was too much. She just went up and laid down and died.”

“We'll have to do an autopsy.”

“No, just dig the hole and we'll get her down here and buried.”

“Do we have authorization to bury them here?”

“I don't think anyone wants to fuck with me on this.”

He looked at me and said, “I just don't understand.”

“I think that was a sign of things to come.”

He nodded his head and said, “He's not doing well.”

“No, but hopefully, he won't see this.”

Merriam came running out waving a handkerchief hysterically yelling, “PETE! HE'S DEAD! HE'S DEAD! ”

I ran and as I was running, Jess was up beside me. “This can't be happening!” I thought and when I got to the house, she was in tears.

“CJ just went to check on him and he's dead!”

“She still up there?”

“Yes.”

I ran up the stairs and when I got to his room, CJ was laying across his bed crying. “My friend! My friend! Go be with the angels my friend! Luis, he's with you now.” She again let out great sobs and I went over to the side of the bed. She saw me and turned and hugged me. “He's dead Pete.”

“Yes dear, we knew it was going to happen.”

“That man meant so much to me. He was one of my closest friends and advisors.”

“I know hon, I know.” The tears coursed down my cheeks.

We contacted the Sheriff who contacted the Coroner. They all came and pronounced him dead. The Coroner said, “Pete, where do you want the body?”

“I need to ask a question and maybe you can answer it.”

“What's that?”

“Do we have to have a funeral? He wanted no funeral. He said he wanted just to be cremated and taken to the crypt.”

“It's not usual, but I'll authorize it if that's what you want.”

“Let us have the house members view him here and then we'll have someone take him to be cremated. There's no one except us here who knew him.”

CJ looked at me and said, “Call Teresa. She'll want to come.”

“Ok” I turned and said, “Merriam?”

“Yes Pete”

“Can you think of anyone else who would want to come?”

“I'll go make phone calls.”

We left the room and I said to the Sheriff, “I need to speak with you a moment and then you can either arrest me, or not.”

“What's that Pete!”

“Come here.”

We went out on the North patio and he saw Brandy.

“Is that elephant dead!”

“Yeah, now I've got another dead of a broken heart in the stables and I'm going to bury them right down there. They loved this pasture and that's where I'm burying them. You can arrest me now, or wait until it's done, but that's what I'm doing.”

“Pete, this is your property. Do with them as you will. I don't even have the equipment to move one much less two. I could call the zoo, but they'd probably tell you to do the same thing.”

“I'm sorry for telling you like that, but this is what I want.”

“Pete, with what you give me, I'm not going to fight you over a fifty dollar fine. That'd be pure stupidity on my part.”

“No, not this time. I just want you to know.”

“Thanks for telling me. At least I can say I authorized it if there's a problem.”

“There won't be. That earth down there is plenty deep. I think.”

“Ok, just don't make a huge monument and we'll let it go.”

“Ok, I'm going to probably put a couple of elephants down there and a couple of markers.”

“That'll be fine. Are you getting anymore?”

“I imagine, but they won't have our hearts like these. They were the kids'.”

“Oh, they were old, weren't they.”

“Yeah, they were happy here for a long time. When we get more, I'll really publicize it to draw in the crowds. They love little ones.”

“Ok, let me know and we'll have a nice welcome home party for them.”

“Would you do that!”

“Oh hell yeah. I'm a Republican!”

“You poor poor man.” I said with a smile.

“Damn you Pete!” he laughed. “I don't see one ass on the property.”

“I'm an American, you won't see me standing for any party. If you do your job, you're fine in my book, but if you don't, then I'll certainly help get you out.”

“I understand that. That's why I keep my word.”

“I know. And thanks for the fast response.”

“No problem. When I hear of a death here, I have to haul ass. It might've been you.”

“No, not for a long time. I've got too much to live for.”

“Good. I'm glad to see you back.”

“It's good to be back. After the kids died, I was torn.”

“I know. Pete, would you do me a favor and go speak to the people in Jefferson City?”

“What for?”

“That intersection down there needs rebuilt. Each year, we lose people like your step mother and Jen. It needs rebuilt and I think your name will garner attention.”

“I'll do that. If need be, I'll pay to have it done.”

He looked at me and said, “That's generous Pete.”

“No, it's the least I can do. I lost my brother over that intersection too. He might've not been in that car, but his heart was and so was mine.”

“I know. I'm sorry I picked a time like this to ask.”

“No, you were thinking of others. I'm proud of you.”

“Thanks.”

We buried the elephants and then had the viewing. When it was over, the Coroner took Conroy's remains to the crematorium. Later that night, we took the urn with his remains to the crypt where CJ, Merriam, and I put him to rest in front of Luis' plaque.

On the way out of the crypt, I said, “CJ, get me a company that builds these on the phone in the morning. I want them all removed and brought out to the farm during the time it takes for it to be rebuilt. Then, we'll have another funeral for them all at once.”

“Will they allow that?”

“Yeah, I'll put in the requests and they'll do it.”

“How do you want the new one?”

“We own all this hill out here. I want it to be a large circular one in marble with a dome. I want lots of light and all along the outer entrance, I want a curved porch with a nice railing in marble. Then benches and up on the top there I want Stein in big gothic lettering. “

“It sounds like it's going to be beautiful.”

“I want it so when people look in, they'll be able to see it. We never thought everything we'd do would be a tourist site, but I want it so if people want to come pay their respects, they can and they can feel a part of it. They can view through the doors and they'll see our dead mean something to us.”

“You're saying us.”

“You and Merriam are as much as my family as I. You might not be blood, but you're just as much in my heart.”

She came over and gave me a huge hug. The sobs she let out were whails.

Merriam came over and said, “Pete, you might give me a hard time, but you can be so sweet sometimes.”

“Thanks, everything I say is meant with love.”

Chains of Love

ab

“From My Keyboard To Your Heart”,

Retta

RettaMichaels@Gmail.com

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