Adam 71
Maxieplus
Things went smoothly for the next few weeks. Sam was loving school and most of his ex-kindy mates were going there. His teacher was the best, and they were still kindred spirits. She was a lovely lady and was very impressed with Sam's ability to tell a good story.
"I think we have an author in our midst, Mr Casey."
"You reckon?" I laughed.
He still told his stories to anyone that would listen and he has picked up quite a gathering of new friends along the way.
Kasey was still searching for Chloe's perfect bodyguard and in the meantime, he had a good talk with her about getting someone more permanent. At the moment he has organized with dad to have a military guy look out for her. He did have a lot of meetings with Jimmy about the drop-in centre, the trust will look after that and Joe wanted to join in, he thought it may have been a good investment.
"Tax wise it's a charity and they get a lot of things tax-free, and can be sometimes subsidised by the government. It's all there, I just have to put it in some sort of order. But Joe with your company you can make a monthly donation which will be a tax deduction, I don't see any real big benefit though."
"But I want to be involved, I think it's well overdue here in Brisbane."
"Let me think about it, maybe a donation, maybe just a smile and a wave, leave it to me, I might have a better personal proposition for you soon." He winked at him.
Joe was almost jumping up and down and I knew it wasn't an invitation to have sex with him.
"Have you found a warehouse?" I asked.
"Yes an old military one three streets from your north side salon, don't worry it won't affect any business in the area. Where it is situated is perfect, it's nearly on the waterfront but a block back."
"That's prime land."
"It's also full of old wool and customs storage warehouses no one has developed that area yet." He grinned at Joe.
"No, you're not, real estate seriously? Kasey, how many jobs do you do?" Joe said.
"Plenty Joe, it's what makes me tick, and if you want to invest in a development company, I am all ears. I know where there is a huge block of prime real estate on the river just begging for your involvement." He grinned, Joe was happy his man crush had included him at long last.
"I'm in, do you need a deposit? what are we going to build?"
"Some apartments some restaurants shops and bars, some open areas, total makeover, the general is fishing around for us, he knows people." He laughed.
"Well, I'm in." An eager Joe said.
"Sign here." He pushed a piece of official-looking paper over to Joe.
"I will have to get my lawyer to look at it."
Kasey picked it up, perused it, and said.
"Excellent investment Mr Merchant."
"Thank you." He signed the paperwork.
Kasey told me later he always had Joe in mind, he's the only man he knows apart from Jimmy with that kind of money to invest. He also said that dad didn't have a lot of money to spare, but he will be slinging him a big finders fee if the deal goes through.
He called into work the next morning and I helped him walk Sam to school, he was excited because he gets to tell his class about his friend Chloe, somehow they had heard he knew her, really?
The drop-off went smoothly and we walked back to the salon slowly.
"I have to get to work." We stopped outside the salon.
"I have some work for you also." He grinned.
"Just leave the underwear on I might come home at lunchtime."
"I'll be in the office....alone."
"Date then." I was all horned up again and I knew he had his bikini ones on today.
When I got inside Eva was doing Wilson's hair, I said my good mornings and went to the tea room.
"They are talking about Eva leaving work," Gloria said.
"Is she?"
"She's resisting, but I think she should Adam, all these fumes aren't going to help her, and she does look so tired."
"I agree, I guess we had better give her a helping hand out the door then." She smiled. I walked over to Eva's station and said.
"Dinner at our place tonight guys,"
"Sure Adam, what's the occasion?" She asked.
"No particular reason just a family dinner."
It was around seven when the gang arrived, Sam had eaten his dinner and the others were hungry. They suggested we go and have a meal downstairs, I already had steak and sausages, and some chops out for a barbecue.
The bread was buttered and Wilson and Kasey lit the fire. I sat with Eva and Trish, we stared at her.
"What's up?" Poor Eva.
"Leaving, quitting, retiring? which one did you decide on?" She blushed.
"He wants me to quit Adam, I won't do that. I do have to leave within the next four weeks its becoming urgent now. I don't want to leave you all but Wilson says the baby and the B&B will be enough work for me."
"What do you want my friend?"
"I want to be a hairdresser I don't want to move, I want to stay here and up the road. I need to take some maternity leave and then get back to work as soon as possible. I know you can't keep my job for me forever so I will be back at work once I find a babysitter."
"Not going to happen, a babysitter for our niece or nephew is not happening. I will use temps while you recover and settle in then your back part-time and when the bubs has settled you bring her or him with you to work."
"The fumes Adam I can't do that."
"Oh." I looked at Trish.
"For fucks sake it's so obvious and has been from the start. Eva, you're managing the cabin salon when you feel like it, a post on the community page will tell folks when you are open. The bubs goes to work with you and you can put him or her in the garage and close the door, no fumes. Run your B&B do good hair and pocket a few bucks on the side while you're at it." Trish then added.
"We will miss you my friend, but we will be at the cabin most weekends and will still work it the first weekend of every month."
They hugged and then with tears in my eyes, I gave in and accepted my friend would be leaving the salon very soon.
Wilson had noticed and smiled at her.
"What did you decide?"
"I will leave work next week, have the baby, we move to the B&B home. You will have to do some commuting, and when I'm ready I will open the cabin salon and work part-time. I can take bubs there, and as you two smart asses know already, it will be a girl." She stared at us.
"Well, they could have got it wrong," I said.
"They never get it wrong, a girl I have Sams's pink teddies to prove it." She laughed, he poked his head over the back of my grandpa's sofa because he heard his name.
The food was ready and we settled in for the night, Wilson said he had plans to work from the new home office, and it was new. They had been building a separate extension with better views of the hills and it will be ready to move into very soon. She doesn't know it yet but she's going to love it up there. Leaving the salon is just a minor thing for Eva, although in her mind it's big. We will be seeing her every weekend anyway. It's just she is excited about the birth of her first child, and the B&B, she hasn't got any worries. Joe was listening to our conversation, he had made himself a steak sandwich and was totally into it, but he said.
"What will you do about the flat Adam?"
"I haven't got that far yet, I wanted Wilson and Eva to stay there forever."
"Can I suggest a tenant?"
"Who?"
"My sister." I will keep her in mind, but does she want to move to the city?
"She might not like living on her own Joe, can we make a decision later on. I don't want Wilson and Eva to feel like someone's taking over their first home."
"Sure, but if Kasey finds a boyfriend for her, they will need a place in the city."
"Let's just wait."
I started to put Sam to bed and he kissed me out of nowhere.
"Thank you, daddy." That put me on alert.
"Son, if anything is bothering you please come and talk to me okay?"
"No Daddy I have to talk to Poppa first, then you." I see Kasey has got to him first.
"Well, whoever you talk to you must do it immediately, do not let it go for a week or so."
"I won't daddy." Then he moved in and whispered.
"I will tell you first, okay?"
"Okay." I could have squeezed him more but that would frighten him so I rained kisses on his face then Kasey came in and read him his story, we take it in turns each night.
I had to call into Kasey's office in the morning, he had done a great job decorating it. Jimmy was there and we all signed the paperwork so when Kase gets the nod he can jump on the land immediately. Jim and I, with Kasey, walked the boy to school, and his mates were yelling out to him to come and play, it was urgent because they only get a half hour. He told me they start a game then they continue it throughout the day on their breaks. I remember doing that at school, sometimes the game would last for days. I think the game today is, what's the time Mr. Wolf? A lot of giggling and running was seen as I stood there watching for ten minutes, so many memories of school are flooding back.
I went to the bakery and Kasey took some rolls and left, then I went to work. No Eva today she has cramps, it was then I decided she has to stop work and I will let her know she's been terminated very soon. She has six weeks to go so hopefully she will get plenty of rest before her baby arrives. Kasey rushed in and placed a document on the table.
"Sign this."
"Yes sir." I signed it and he kissed me and left, somethings got him excited.
Trish looked at me and I shrugged.
"Do you think Joe will make some money out of his investment Adam?"
"Plenty Trish, if Kasey's involved there will be plenty of big money being thrown around."
She smiled and straightened her shoulders.
"Don't even think about becoming the little miss, madam."
"I wasn't thinking anything, Adam, it's just that it's nice Joe has something else to do apart from making milk."
"He's worth eight million Trish, cut him some slack that equates to many hours of work and late nights and doesn't include the business, that's his personal wealth."
"What?"
"Oh, you didn't know he was that wealthy?"
"Adam Sutton I will brain you one day."
"Better set the date Trish, I feel a nice wedding present is coming your way, do you like Lamborghini?" She huffed and walked into the salon then when I walked out she said.
"Adam, have you got time for a shave?"
"Coming up madam." I giggled.
I have no idea what Joe is worth I pulled that number out of thin air, but I will make it a point of asking Kasey tonight, that's if we don't have any visitors. Pies for lunch they are always good and quick, my man sat to eat his and I leaned over and licked some sauce off his lips, he moaned.
"So what is Joey's total wealth?"
"He's a rich man, Adam the dairy is worth a lot to him every year."
"So you aren't going to tell me?"
"No, I have been sworn to secrecy, Joe doesn't want figures being passed on."
"Okay, so bigger than seven mil?"
He smiled and took another pie.
"Adam this property venture will make us a lot of money, Joe is going quarters and will be a partner. I have lined up a building company and it's only in the early stages we need plans contracts, permissions, all sorts of things to even begin."
"Got any murderers on your books?'
He laughed his head off and answered.
"Where the hell do you think I have the time to sit in a courtroom for weeks on end?"
"Just asking, it is part of your job."
"Groan."
"Nope, nothing solid coming from my husband Trish, I guess you will have to work on his mum, she loves flowers."
"So you think I will get a Honda then?"
"Maybe." I grinned.
The pick-up time went well, all I could hear was.
"See you tomorrow Sam." His friends are fully back and he's the top Mr Wolf ever.
So we got a rundown on his keen hearing skills and he always catches someone when they play. His next problem was he had seen some of the bigger boys playing with glass balls and wanted Kasey to show him how.
"Marbles son, why didn't you join them?" He pursed his lips and shook his head no, he wanted to start up his very own team.
We ducked into an alleyway where Kasey knows he can get a bag of marbles and Tom Bowlers. He purchased two big bags and now I have to watch where I stand because those mothers hurt if you stand on them in bare feet.
He stared at Kasey until he was ready, then he got some chalk and drew a big circle. Dealing out the marbles was easy he got Sam to count them then he proceeded to show him. He doesn't know I was the marbles king at school, it was probably the only thing I was good at.
He giggled through a game then he got the hang of it. Looking at the clock on the wall he thanked his papa and turned the TV on.
"Don't you want to play another game?"
"No thank you poppa I know how to play now."
I got down on my knees and said.
"Best of three."
"You're on." he smiled.
I was a bit rusty but so was he, and I beat him two to one, he wanted to play more but I had dinner to prepare so he sat at the table and opened his laptop. He did look up at me several times but I sat there with a smirk on my face.
"We will have a rerun tomorrow night." He said.
"Okay then, in the meantime I can play with your marbles in bed?"
"Of course, they are expecting it." I laughed.
"Adam, we have to talk about something after we eat."
"Give me a hint?"
"What you signed today."
"I see, am I a partner?'
"There will be four owner investors, you, me, Joe, and Jimmy."
"He's on board with it all then?"
"Yes, personally, not through the trust."
"I thought it was the trust you were using."
He grinned.
"Not this time, this is for us, and if there was a way of including dad I would have done that, there may be a conflict of interest while he's still in the forces?" I put the casserole on the table.
"That's why I can't include him, so I will be sending him a finders fee, he can hide it, I will show him how."
"So what are we talking about tonight?"
"I just told you, I have made you a partner in our building business."
"That's good, how much am I worth now?"
"Plenty at the moment just about as much as Joey." My eyebrow lifted, Joey?
"And what would that be?" He filled his mouth and didn't answer me.
I will keep trying but in the end, I decided, why not just ask Joey outright surely he trusts me by now, after all, we almost had a threesome.
It was, go go go at our house the next day, dad had rang and Kasey spoke to Sam explaining he couldn't walk him to school because he had something really important to do. He understood and he liked me also, so I got the job. I did ask what was so urgent, all he said as he ran out the door was.
"Adam I have to jump on this now before anyone else finds out." The door slammed and that was it.
"Looks like it's me and you kid."
"Yep Daddy, we got this, can we go now?"
"Of course young man, you can escort me up the street." I took his hand and we started our journey to school.
I resisted going to see Dad I think the less I am seen in the fed building the better, god only knows what's going on. But it will have something to do with the waterfront.
I toiled away in the salon all morning, Tim was still doing the wigs, and there's more to come. Marko helped, but he's so in demand by his customers that he doesn't get much time. I asked Gloria if she knew any wig experts and she winked and looked at Ethan, I now have a dilemma again. I need someone to replace Eva which isn't going to be an easy task and someone to do Ethan's job while he's helping Tim. I am short-staffed again. I will have a meeting with Tim and Trish when I can get them together.
I had to elaborate on Evas leaving and when I called her into the tea room we both had tears as I told her I would miss her around here. I shouldn't have upset her but I did say she should think about leaving in a few days. I think it was the actual words, it felt like I was firing her but I wasn't.
"I can't help it Adam, my work and home are being destroyed, I am such an ungrateful bitch. I know the baby will change me, but not all at once it's all coming at me. I have fears Adam, fears that if I leave that bomb will go off again and I won't be able to help anyone." I ignored the bomb comment I know we are all still affected by the memory.
"My perfectly wonderful friend, let's do it this way. You do have to leave soon, I won't be responsible for your health anymore, that is your and Wilson's main aim. Stay here in Brisbane and have the little one you have plenty of backup where we all live so it won't be too hard on you. Commute for a few months then think about going to your new home for good."
"You're right Adam my friend, and I am being so selfish working here for the past five years has taught me a lot about people and their lives. You are my biggest teacher, and I will miss you the most, you know it's my hormones that are making me a little depressed. So I have to rise above it and carry on regardless. You taught me that in a big way, so I will take a leaf out of your book and leave on Saturday." I kissed her and there were more tears. I knew her hormones would be going crazy, and she also would be over anxious about having the baby.
"And Eva?"
"Yes, Adam?"
"I got this as Kasey would say, there will be no more bombs around here."
"I was so scared." I know she was, and maybe the hormones are making her a little bit reminiscent.
I hugged her closer while her mummy tears flowed.
So now all I have is James Marko Tim Gloria Trish and Ethan and me, that makes seven. Lynnie doesn't count but she will in about another year or so, Marko's mum doesn't count either since she is set up properly at home she has all the clients she needs. I looked around my salon and wished with all my heart people would stop leaving, I don't want to break in another stylist.
I wiped my eyes and Trish made coffee.
"Eva?"
"Yes, she has to leave this weekend I can't have her in here anymore."
"Good, when she can't make a decision we have to make it for her. Sad but true."
"What do we do. I am happy with Ethan's work, and he's no trouble, but if I send him to help Tim then again I'm two short."
"He will only be doing it for two months, Tim can do the maintenance. There are two football events we will need all our part-timers they have been notified of the dates. We also have had a request from an old employee to take over Eva's job, it came through this morning."
"Who?"
"Anne wants to come back, she misses the salon and Brisbane, and has requested we shift her back."
"She didn't ring did she?"
"No my friend, I rang her and she jumped at the offer."
"What about Trev and Janice?"
"They are staff heavy Adam, and Trev said Anne is a different person now full of confidence and very much over Mitchell." She smiled.
"Get her on the next plane I have missed her so much, where's she going to live?"
"With Marko and James honey leave it all up to madam Trish." I felt relieved and now my beautiful salon is almost complete again, I will be fully happy when Eva starts working, she will do the cabin salon and I will get an apprentice to help her.
I announced it after I had a lengthy talk with Anne, we both had tears and agreed it was time for her to come back home.
Kasey didn't call in at lunchtime so I tried to ring, no answer, so I rang Dad.
"He's here Adam, he's in talks with our accountants and I think he's winning. I can hear him shouting." He chuckled down the phone.
"Well when he's finished amazing them, send him up here."
"I will son, he's at the stage where they are ringing their lawyers, and he's just called Joe in. I will be next."
"That will make him happy, he idolises Kasey."
"Well he's smiling Adam, has he got money?"
"Yes, dad, but I don't know how much."
"The asking price of that land is twenty-five, if he's going quarters with that's at least six or seven, cash at hand."
"What, fuck me?"
"That's what I heard son, better get back to it, I can hear the negotiations from the next office, if there's any more news, I will call you."
"Thanks, dad." I hung up and walked out to the reception, Trish was worried Joe hadn't called her.
"He is in the meeting with Kasey lovely and we are up to seven mil disposable cash from Joey." I winked, her hand went to her throat and she almost fainted.
"Lynnie water for madam Trish please," I yelled out.
Around three I started my journey up to the school. I was picked up by two young men, one in a now creased suit and strangely enough one in a Spiderman outfit.
"Do you wear that all the time under your suit Joe?"
"No just for today it's too hot to wear full-time."
"And you're wearing it because?"
"Sam has a problem, and I am about to fix it."
I looked at Kasey and he started laughing.
"He told me first because I promised to find Spiderman."
"That little rat I will fix him up tonight, early to bed I think."
I looked at both of them they were on a mission.
"How did the meeting go, did you have to pay the twenty-five mil?"
"You have been talking to Dad haven't you?"
"I put it off for as long as I could, so yes, I talked to Dad he had his ear to the wall."
He laughed as we turned the corner to the school.
"Twenty Adam and bloody a bargain, thanks to your father. Don't tell anyone please, not until we sign one more contract." I won't tell Trish, if Joe had the money they wanted the total would be close to what I told her.
Joe went into action as soon as the school bell went, he dashed across the road and kids screamed after him. He found Sam and picked him up, my kid nearly fainted.
"Grade one Sam Casey, I need you for a job." He yelled out in his superhero voice so everyone could hear.
Sam was grinning, the kids went crazy and they all moved across the road, Joe held his wrist out and tried to make webs, but no go.
"I must be out of web gas, we run class one Casey." He took off with Sam on his back, and I have no idea how he maintained the speed carrying my son, Sam was waving to his mates as Joe turned the corner. We followed them and when we caught up they were sitting on a bench in the small park, Joe was exhausted.
"Better get back to the gym Spider." I laughed. He then took his headwear off and Sams's eyes enlarged to an impossible size.
"Uncle Joe, are you Spiderman?"
"Sometimes Sammy, but we all know Peter Parker is the real one. He couldn't pick you up today so he sent me."
"Really?"
"Really." He winked. Sam started laughing and it didn't die down until we got to the salon. Trish gave Joe the once over and deemed his gun was hidden in the right holster.
"The boys were playing today, your one is a bit out there Trish," I said which got me a smack on the arm.
"Spiderman, control your woman." He kissed Trish and Sam and we went to find a bun.
"Poppa that was awesome they will believe me now won't they?"
"They will son, and any more trouble you come to me."
"It's a form of lying Kasey, will he be alright?" I whispered in his ear.
"Harmless fun Adam, when he goes to school tomorrow they will start believing his stories. Now where can I hire a real Hippo from?"
I had my doubts that it would fix Sam's problem, but it may confuse the hell out of his tormentors, if there are any. Kids will be kids, and in time if Sam said he had two brains they would probably believe him.
I spoke to Kasey about it later on, and he just said that Sam was being questioned about his lies, he wasn't upset because he knew it was all true. I decided I should go and have a talk to his teacher but Kasey told me he had already done that. Before he went to sleep I asked my boy what happened to asking me first, he said.
"Because Poppa is good at these things, I knew he would have a good answer." He grinned. I tickled him, little trickster.
Kasey was sitting at the table when I got back, our boy had dropped off to sleep almost immediately.
"What's up?"
"Adam we have agreed on a price so Joe and I have bought the land on behalf of Casey, Casey, Brady, and Merchant developing company, you will have to sign one more contract before we make it all legal, so no talking to anyone.
"Let me get this straight, the development company is separate from the entertainment one which is separate from the Banks trust?"
"That's about right baby."
I sat for a while then asked him.
"Any divorces at least?"
"No murders and no divorces just paperwork Adam, I like that the best."
"Okay."
"Joe's giving Trish four million dollars for a wedding present."
"WHAT?"
"He's doing it tonight, I told him to shift some money into her name it's good insurance for him. The rest she will get when they get married."
"There's more?"
"He can't leave her out anymore Adam, the more money he shifts into her name the better he will fare if this all goes belly up, and no, none of us are using our money, we are getting a combined loan from the Banks foundation, cheap interest if any." He grinned.
"And is it going to?"
"To what?"
"Go belly up?" It was all I could think of, the numbers were blurring my brain.
"No, but he doesn't know that. Between you and me I think he's being very mean with Trish, she deserves to know what she is marrying into."
"And what is she marrying into?'
"A man whose father was a brilliant businessman and it looks like his son has inherited the same talents. Don't ever let Joey fool you that he's dumb, because he's not. He wore me down and now I'm including him in negotiations, how good is he?"
I laughed.
My phone beeped, and a message came through.
"Don't ever speak to me again Adam Sutton."
"Yes, madam Trish." I wrote back and then laughed.
"He must have told her." I passed my phone over.
He laughed and said to give her a few days to let it all sink in. He had no doubts about Trish, she would never try to rip Joe off, and I reckon they would do very well as life partners.
With Trish and Sam all fixed I had one more chore to do and that is to make sure Eva is okay.
"Oh, I forgot to tell you that Mum is insisting we take Sam over to see her."
"We can do that on the weekend, I don't think we will be going to the cabin because Eva is leaving and I think we should be here with her."
"Good idea, we go to mum's place on Saturday then."
It's been ages since we have seen them, although Kasey and I ring them once a week, it's not his family, it's Kase that gets snowed down.
I was in for a surprise when I went to bed, Kase had his Spiderman outfit on the hood and all, my fantasies were up there. I had to curb my willpower not to call him Joey.
Trish was on my doorstep in the morning, she kissed Sam and harrumphed at me. Kasey laughed and she sat with him and said.
"Coffee please Adam."
"Coming up madam."
"Did you get a surprise?" Kase asked.
"I sure did, but will never touch it, it's not mine."
"I'm sure you won't Trish," He patted her bag.
"The only thing we have left to do now is get married."
"Did you set a date?"
"Not yet, I will tell you when the time is right." I stared at her and she laughed.
"I have things to sort out first."
"He will think you are going to abscond with his money." I laughed.
"Then you don't know me at all Adam." She rolled her eyes.
I did know her, and she wouldn't touch a penny of that money, it's her family she has to sort out first.
"Have you had breakfast?"
"No Adam I thought we would go downstairs, a sort of celebration brekky."
Kasey was off his seat and in no time he and Sam were standing by the front door.
I rang Jimmy and invited him, he said he would be five minutes.
Joe joined us he was hanging off Trish, and Jimmy was pleased to see everyone again. Sam was telling him about Spiderman coming to his school, and then Joe started talking about the new business venture.
"I thought about something last night Kasey. Why don't we turn the old wool sheds into apartments?"
"Done." Kase smiled.
"You already had those old bluestone buildings tagged for that?"
"Yes Joe they are the main reason I wanted to go ahead with it, we won't be building ten-story apartments, it will ruin the ambiance. Four stories with new penthouse apartments built on top."
"Can I have first dibs on a penthouse?"
"Sorry no can do," He smirked then looked shyly at me.
"Forget it, I won't be moving anywhere," I said.
"It's yours Joey, mind you there will be twelve of them."
"Okay, then I want front and centre."
"Look at the plans first Joe,"
"If you think I am moving Mr. Merchant you can think again." Poor Trish.
"You want to stay where you are then?"
"Yes, I like my neighbours." Trish was spot on and we would miss them.
"I'll take one anyway, they get big rents."
"We all will take two Joe, excellent investments." Kase smiled.
"I'll just leave it to you then." Joe sat back.
"Come on grandson I'll walk you to school." Jimmy laughed.
"Cool." Sam grabbed his bag and they set off to his school, I looked at Kasey and he had me back in bed in a flash.
I turned up at work later than expected the talk was all about Trish's impending wedding, or should I say the kids were trying to lock her into a date.
"By the way you put that breakfast away this morning, I think you had better try on your wedding gown again," I said as I passed by.
"And you had better have another look at your ass it's sagging from overuse."
I laughed because I had Kasey to tell me what is sagging and what isn't.
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