"He's so cute!" Mickey said, referring to his namesake nephew. Sinking into the bed next to Drew, their shoulders touched as they often did before one or the other of them kissed the other then rolled over to sleep.
"And I like Nate's idea of visiting at least twice a year," he continued. "I don't know how we'll cart an entire family to Hawaii every year, I mean, how will even be able to afford it? But I'm sure we'll figure it out. That's more important than a fancy car or nice clothes."
Drew heard him swallow. As happy as they were for the new addition to the family, as well as the return of Drew's dad, the latter was already having a major impact on their lives.
"Where is this going to take us?" Mickey asked.
"I'm looking forward to getting to know your dad better," he continued, "but this whole thing with the business...it's going to change our lives. I like where we are now and where we're going. This, this...I don't know..."
"That's what I've been thinking. We've got a pretty good life right now - a growing family, a good job for you, nice neighbors who we like," Drew replied. "You come home every day and we have dinner together as a family. That's kind of how we thought we'd live for the next few years, you know? I don't want give that up, at least not for very long."
"Agreed," Mickey replied softly as their legs touched. "You know, the business stuff itself is kind of intriguing and will be an interesting challenge, if it doesn't turn into a fiasco," he added, half-joking, but also half serious. "But I guess we need to learn a lot more before we actually dive into this thing."
"Yup," Drew replied, his hand reaching over and tugging on the bottom of Mickey's shirt, pulling it up and exposing his taut stomach in the faint moonlight coming through the window. "But until then, I've got something else I want to get into..."
Each of the next few days Mr. Patterson returned to their living room at the same time, with every meeting revealing more and more of the sorry state of his crumbling empire. He knew that the guys needed time to absorb what he was saying, not that there was a lot of that to spare – in their current state of either exploitation or neglect, it seemed like many of the businesses were unraveling quickly. One of them had a major layoff that was in the news, another stressed company was selling prized assets at what were widely thought to be at fire-sale prices. But besides wanting and needing their help in salvaging the business, he was intent re-starting his relationship with the guys as honestly as he could.
For the guys' part, it was one thing to have the family reconciliation – Drew was especially encouraged by Mickey's rapidly warming attitude toward his father - but the idea of getting involved in the business was another matter. Drew knew the sacrifices and efforts that his dad had made to be a success - like the time away from home and the anxious moments that he could often read in his dad's face - and he didn't want that burden on Mickey. Drew was sure that Mickey could do it – unlike Mickey himself – but was it worth all the turmoil and pressure?
He knew in his heart-of-hearts that they really didn't need to be involved at all. His dad wouldn't make his reconciliation contingent on anything like that, and Mickey was making a salary that was good enough for their relatively simple lifestyle. But if they did do it, for his dad, and, perhaps for the chance of some future financial security for their own growing family, it would be one of the most fateful decisions of their lives.
"So, what do you think now?" Drew asked as he pulled the covers over them only a few hours after his father had left.
Like he often did when he had a stressful day, Mickey leaned his head into Drew's shoulder. "The job seems to get bigger and bigger each time we talk," he responded, then nudged his head into Drew's neck. "I have to admit that with all of my initial misgivings there really is a bit of adventure to it too. But that's drying up fast. It's just going to be a ton of work. I can't barely get my arms around it right now, yet I know that there is a lot more out there," he said, then pushed himself up against the headboard and turned to Drew.
"What do you think? Should we do it?" he asked back.
"I believe it's up to you, babe," Drew answered after hesitating for only a moment. "To be honest, I think that most of the burden will be yours. It won't be long before we'll have three kids in this house and they'll need full-time attention. I'll be there whenever you need me, of course," he added, reaching down and squeezing Mickey's firm thigh, then gently pulling on a hair. "But you'll need to lead this."
"But the more I learn, the more I feel that I have no idea what to do. I really don't."
"Well, my Dad might say that being honest with yourself is the first step to learning. And for his part, he feels like he just doesn't have the strength for this kind of battle anymore, but he sees it in you. For him to say that means something."
Drew reached down and again squeezed Mickey's leg as Mickey slumped back down, and they rested there against each other in silence.
Suddenly, Mickey pushed himself back up against his pillow, rocking the bed, and then turned toward Drew.
"Like I said, I have no idea what I'm doing but whatever I do I have to do it my way. Brad has taught me a lot of things and one of them really makes sense right now. He said that the only way that you could be dedicated to something and be really successful at it is that you had to be yourself. And you know, that's true here, too"
"That's a good way of putting it," Drew answered turning toward Mickey. "You're on the right track."
"And the only way to have it my way is to have my team, even if they aren't experienced. Like your Dad said, he'd provide the experience," Mickey said, with a new gusto and enthusiasm
It was silent for a moment before Drew heard him swallow deeply before sighing.
"I guess I can say that in some brave way and sound cool, but the fact of the matter is that failure means that some people will lose money, tons of it, and a lot of people could...no, will... lose their jobs. That's going to affect a lot of families and their kids, and that's what really scares me," he said, slumping back down slightly into the bed.
"There are a lot of people depending on us. Do you really think that we can do it?" Mickey asked. "You know, I guess that we can get our own team and all that. But what really matters is if we can pull this off. There are so many people counting on us and they don't care about anything but their jobs and providing for their families."
Drew reached over and stroked his face, the rough scars a tactile reminder of who he was. "There isn't a choice, babe. With the situation that we got, there is no one but you and me, but really you, who has any hope of pulling this off. We just have to do the best that we can." Then he pulled Mickey's head closer and kissed him.
It was again silent for a moment, not a sound from anywhere. There wasn't even stirring from the kids' room, which made it extra calm.
"You know, I think that one of the things that pushed my dad over the edge was worrying about money. He could never hold a job for very long. It wasn't a situation where there weren't jobs - it was him. But that doesn't mean the he didn't care. He did worry, and I think that maybe the stress was just another pressure point in his life," Mickey said softly.
"I hope that we don't do that to anyone else," he added, as Drew again pulled his head close.
"You know," he stared, slipping farther back down the pillow and again lying next to Drew, "the part of this that I'm going to hate the most is being away from you and the kids. I want to settle this as soon as possible. Your Dad said it might take years and..." - he paused, his mouth now feeling dry - "...so be it. But I really don't want to miss the kids growing up."
Drew could sense a tear in the darkness and wrapped his arm around Mickey, pulling him tightly up against his shoulder.
"I promise I won't let that happen," he said as he kissed him on the head.
Bik, Robert and Marty didn't really know what to expect when Drew and Mickey had invited them over for what they called a `business chat.' The two brothers and their brother-in-law had formed their small business consulting firm a few years back, but business was rarely a part of the regular conversation with Drew and Mickey. Since they all lived so close and had grown to be so much a part of each other's lives the usual topics of discussion were family, home improvement projects, the neighborhoods, the weather.
`Maybe Drew and Mickey had some financial problem and wanted some advice?' None of them knew.
As usual, they just knocked and opened the door, not waiting for anyone to let them in. Drew was putting out some sodas and bottles of water in the kitchen as Mickey was placing cheese and crackers on a large china plate when the Kovar brothers and Marty all came in.
"Where are the kids?" Marty asked as he reached for a soda.
"Napping, at least, I hope. Their Nana is upstairs with them on guard duty tonight so that we all can talk."
"Peter could appreciate that," Marty replied, smiling.
"So could Laura," Bik added. "Throw in Robert's kids and we'll get a package deal," he continued, to laughter around the room.
As they were all milling around the plates of food, Mickey mentioned Mr. Patterson's visit, which was a surprise to all of them. When he explained that it looked like they were on the way to a reconciliation, they all turned to congratulate Mickey and Drew.
"Wow, you must be relieved!" Marty said as he hugged Mickey.
"Not nearly as much as Drew," he replied, nodding at his partner who was shaking hands with Bik. "I wasn't sure why you had us over, but this really is quite an event. I can't wait to tell Peter," Marty answered. "He'll be really happy for you, too. Thanks for telling us!"
After the exchange, Drew turned to them all as then were now propped up against countertop, drinking and snacking. "Thanks a lot for the support even before this, you guys. We both really appreciated it. And, of course, we wanted you all to know. But there's actually another reason that we wanted you all to come over."
Mickey looked at Drew, who nodded his head and looked back. "Let's go into the living room," he said.
After they had all taken seats, Drew began what he thought of as his `speech.'
"As you've probably seen in the papers, my dad's so-called `empire' has really suffered in the past few years. There are lots of reasons. My dad was distracted, by, I guess, the obvious," he said, glancing at Mickey, "But he also got some really bad advice and isn't surrounded by a lot of people who are looking out for his best interests."
"It's no secret who that is," interjected Bik. "Gosh, I never wanted to mention it, but I had a business school friend in New York who used to tell me about your stepbrothers and their lavish lifestyles, support by your Dad's money. It almost seemed criminal what they did."
"It probably was," Drew replied, sadly.
Drew then explained how his dad was going to get a divorce and was trying to put his life on a new path.
"I'm sure that's tough as his age," Robert replied. "But I'm sure it will help that you're back in his life," he continued.
"I think it will, too," Drew answered. "But to get to the heart of the matter, he's also asked us, but really Mickey, to work with him. Specifically, he wants his help to rescue what he can of his companies and get the business back in order."
"Boy, that will be a job!" Marty replied.
"For sure," Bik added, surprisingly calm. "But, you know, it's an opportunity, too. You really could turn those companies around. It would take a lot of work - you'll have to throw yourselves into it. But it's a great business with some terrific assets. With the right approach, I think that you both could do it."
"I'm glad that you think that, Bik," Mickey replied. "Because that's why we asked you guys to come over here today."
The visitors looked at each other, somewhat confused. Then Bik said, "You know, you could always bounce ideas off of us. We'd be glad to help. But I'm not sure what else we could do for you."
"Mr. Patterson keeps saying that even though we're young, that he trusts us and that he can provide the experience that, of course, we lack."
"But we need help. Neither of us is an accountant or business people, but you guys are, and we trust you," Mickey responded, his face turning and looking successively at each the three guys in front of him. "I've interacted with all of you at work, where the firm has pulled you into a couple deals. You guys are all really good. And we trust you."
"But a lot of that was my Dad, Mickey, I have to admit..." Bik interjected.
"But all the other partners respect you for what you do and not just because of your Dad. Look at how many deals you've advised on where your Dad isn't involved? Everyone who has worked with you guys wants to do it again because you're good at what you do and they trust you. And so do we.'
"I've worked at an international accounting firm, Mickey," Bik replied. "But none of us has this kind of experience. While it's enticing, none of us has this kind of experience in turning around companies of this size and, frankly, with these kinds of problems."
"Well, I see the talent in you guys, and, as Drew's dad says, he can provide the experience. I told him that one condition of us doing this is that we choose our team. And we choose to work with the three of you."
The room was quiet for a few minutes. The three of them looked at each other.
"Gosh, I don't know what to say," Marty started. "First of all, thanks for thinking of us. I mean, just that gesture is nice. But this would be a total...change."
"It would be," Drew responded. "You'd have to be in it 100%. We'd take all of your time, and you might have to close your business, or at least put it on hold. But, if this is successful, we see you all taking over and managing these companies, at least of the places that we don't have to close or sell-off."
"And I should also mention, Brad will be one of our outside counsels. I have to leave the firm, of course, but I really want his advice. So, if I can't bill for the firm, I guess I can make money for them some other way," he said, smiling.
"But I want to do something for them, too," he added, clasping his hands together. "They took a chance on me, and I owe them a lot for that. I really learned a ton there, especially from Brad. So, we can still support each other."
They talked on for several hours, about the potential rewards, but also the risks, including that the possibility that, in the end there may be no significant assets to manage. As Drew and Mickey concluded their `pitch', the three partners looked at each other, communicating without words.
"I think that I can speak for us all," Bik replied. "We need to look at our current partnership and see where it's going. As you all know, even with all the high recommendations and some nice clients, there isn't a lot of money around here to support our kind of business. There just isn't the mass here. But, more importantly, we need to ask our families. Marty and Peter have another baby on the way, as does Robert. And, as you know, Laura and I are thinking of another kid, too. So, it's a family decision."
After further discussion, Robert added. "Let us talk to our families and discuss how we could move forward. I know that there is a short fuse, so we'll get back to you..." he said, looking at his partners.
"Give us two days," Marty replied. "Peter and I can decide then, and I think we all could. Agreed?" he asked looking at his brothers-in-law.
"Agreed," they both responded in unison.
Over the next week, Mickey and Drew assembled their team. With his old firm as local counsel, and Bik, Robert and Marty as his financial team, he needed to round it out with people in New York, where the main company was headquartered and where many of the battles would take place. Even though Mr. Patterson had given Mickey the names of his contacts, he followed his own path and would only work with people that he knew and trusted.
He contacted his moot court teammates Maryam and Parker as his eyes and ears on the East Coast. Like him, Maryam was doing well in her firm, but she was up for the risk of Mickey's proposal. While she didn't have the strong emotional attachment to her firm that Mickey did to his, she respected the intense culture of the place and, like Mickey, proposed to use them as another outside counsel.
His friend Parker was a harder sell.
"Are you sure you...want me?" he asked, with his slight stutter. "I mean, it's great that you're asking and all, but, um... I must admit, I don't think that anyone considers me a star where I'm at now. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if they let me go. They seem to like my ideas, but when I get in front of a partner or client, well...you know..." he trailed off.
"Parker, I know what you can do. Maybe you're not the best when you're on the stage, but you are the best when we're backstage, coming up with plans and ideas and strategies. I have no doubt that you'll do great. So please consider this."
It didn't take long for Mickey to get a yes.
"I understand that you want your own team, Mickey," Mr Patterson said across the dining room table, papers and folders practically filling it from end to end. "But I'm just little concerned about the experience level of the team you want. I know that I told you that I could provide the experience, but..."
"I know that it's not a conventional group and I can assure you that it isn't being done to be contrarian or flip, but if I'm going to do this I have to do it my way and with people I trust."
"Would you be OK if I spoke with, um... I think his name is Bik? He's the president of the company that you want to use, right?"
"I don't' think that would be a problem. He lives right behind us."
"He's a neighbor?!" Mr Patterson asked, his eyes wide
"He's a business man that I trust. He's the son of the lawyer who hired me and both Drew and I would trust him with anything.
Shaking his head, Mr Patterson asked, "Could I still speak with him?"
Mickey was not going to be dissuaded from hiring the team he wanted but he was even more anxious about what was turning into his first test of wills with Mr Patterson. He couldn't lose it.
After a quick phone call, it didn't take long for Bik to come over and take a seat at the table with Mickey and Mr. Patterson.
"What the hell do you know about business?!" Mr. Patterson growled, launching an attack that took Mickey by surprise. He was about to object to the tone and aggressiveness of the question, but Bik subtly waved him off.
Without giving him time to answer, Mr Patterson barked another question at Bik. "What would you do if you had $50 million dollars coming due on a bond loan and you didn't have the cash to pay it!?"
With poise and confidence, Bik directly returned each volley of questions. He was cool and calm but direct and never backed down. Even when Mr. Patterson was clearly trying to provoke him, he didn't shout back or make it an emotional confrontation. The barrage of questions only slightly lightened up when Drew came downstairs and told his Dad that the kids were sleeping.
After almost an hour, Mr. Patterson sat back in his chair and turned to Mickey.
"Did that shock you?" he asked.
"Well, a little bit. I have to say that I didn't expect the tone," Mickey answered.
"These are just questions across a dining room table," he said, then turned toward Bik.
"The real thing will be different, as I think you know, Bik. But you've obviously been here before, so you need to really help and prepare him," he said, nodding toward Mickey.
He then turned in his chair to directly face his son-in-law. "You know Mickey, if you think that I sound nasty, it's going to be 10 times worse in these meetings. These people are owed money or buildings or land or whatever and they are out for blood. There will be no mercy and you need to be prepared. I think you can be, but it's not a mock trial or an exercise. It's real life and everything's at stake."
"Your right, Steve," Bik said, the first person Mickey had heard address Mr. Patterson by this first name.
Turning the tables on him, Bik continued. "And the first step in doing this is that we need know everything about these companies, and I mean everything. Robert, Marty and I need to see the books on every asset, including taxes, annual reports, all of it for at least the last five years." He then seemed to use a lot of accounting and business jargon that Mickey didn't understand, but that Mr. Patterson clearly did as he shook his head in assent to each one.
"There's no way to advise Mickey and yourself on a strategy if we don't know where the bodies are buried. And we cannot be surprised by the opposition knowing things that we don't' know about," Bik continued.
Mr. Patterson sighed, and suddenly lost some of his zeal and ardor. "Of course, I'd expect you to do that. And I guess that this will get to the heart of the matter," he replied, running his fingers through his thick, gray hair.
"What do you mean by that," Mickey asked.
He couldn't look at either of them. "I'm...um... ashamed of what has happened on my watch," he replied.
"But you just did the right thing, Bik, you went for the jugular. I have no doubt that you and your team will see what kind of a disaster has happened. There's no way to hide it. But it's all out there, I'll get your team access to everything you need. And then you can then help Mickey to figure out what to do."
If before, Mickey only imagined the pressure and tension, he was starting to actually feel it now.
"Wow, I never heard anyone drill my dad like Bik did," Drew said as pulled open the covers and got into bed with Mickey."
"Yeah, I know. Gosh, I'm really glad that we've got Bik and those guys. There's no way we could do this stuff without them."
"Agreed," Drew answered as he slid closer to Mickey, their hips touching as he put his arm around Mickey.
"By the way, one thing I wanted to mention," he said, pulling Mickey closer and looking directly at his face. "If I ever think that this is too much for you, or somehow this is hurting you or the kids, I'm going to put a stop to it, OK? I know this will be tough, and there might be some rewards in the end, but if the price is too high, I won't hesitate to end this thing."
They always discussed decisions together, but when Drew got dictatorial like this, he didn't get resentful or offended. Like the time he got food poisoning and Drew ordered him around, he knew that was from care and concern and worry and nothing about ego. As the gravity of the situation really hit after the meeting with Bik and Mr. Patterson, the words were actually pretty welcome.