Ch.15
Gunnite Has To Go
Ann looked at
lee across the table in their apartment and Lee sat there with his nose stuck
in the paper with Susie at his feet. She stared at him a few minutes with some
casserole at the end of her fork just playing in her food more than actually having
the hunger to eat it. Ann had more of a hunger to share the news of the work
she had done today with Lee who had become detached from Gunnnite Corporations’
dealings since his Dads death, and his move into her apartment. It was also
partly because Ann choose not to involve him as Lee was also starting his new
chainsaw carving business up and she figured he didn't need to know all the
little things associated with a corporate takeover. As she stared at him for what
seemed to be an extraordinary time until she finally said.
“Lee I have news.
Could be good news I hope, and it seems to be what you and I need now more than
ever. “
Of course
when it involved both of them Lee right off looked up from his paper and gave Ann
the full attention she deserved having learned long ago there are times when Ann
speaks and you half listen and there are times when she includes the both of
you that you damn well better listen and this was one of those times.
“What is it
dear?” Lee said in response showing interest as he cocked a furry eyebrow up as
if this helped him hear better.
“I believe Gunnite
is ready to be bought out dear and I will no longer be employed but rich.” and she
went on, “that doesn't just mean me but the both of us will be rich. “
“But dear you
always were rich, you just couldn't put your fingers on the money and I am glad
for you. And I guess I also. “ at the thought of how she included him in her
statement and the news was sinking in as Lee jumped to his feet and congratulated Ann
as if she won a gold medal wrapping his arms around her and hugging her and
lifting her up on her toes as he kissed her long on her lips . Then he leaned back with her in his arms and
just stared for a few seconds but in those seconds Ann felt her heart fill with
joy as nothing else mattered except Lee and her. The world outside was
oblivious to her as a warm feeling crept over them both knowing financial
independence was something they both looked forward to but seemed so far away
especially for Lee. He was guilty only by association on this one. Now he could
create as he wanted and Ann could do what now? lee asked himself. And as Lee
pondered that question he realized Ann had never spoke of how she was going to
live her life after the Gunnite Corp. takeover.
Finally he asked,
“What are you going to do now dear. Daily for years you have been going to the
office and making decisions and doing this and that for the company, so what
are you going to do now or have you thought about it? Wow it seems we never in all
our time even discussed this option. Couldn’t imagine you not having a plan to
go to. “
“Oh I do,” she
smiled as she leaned back in his arms and Lee asked in a quizzed way, furling
that eyebrow as if signaling a ship.
“What would
that be young lady? “
“ Well; nothing
at first, all my life I have been going to work at the office as even when we
were young my Uncle kept us involved in our family’s business as one day it
would be ours to do with as we pleased . Well we did. My brothers and I grew it
to this huge conglomerate and now it is time for someone else to do it and I take
a break and do nothing at all. I just want to do nothing. Period. At least for a
while and then maybe I will get into something else. But for the time being get
used to it dear. You might see more of me. “
“Well I don’t
think I could ever see to much of you Ann. Wow, am I glad for you. Tell me the
details please. “
“We are
looking at a complete buyout of Gunnite and all subsidiaries and a purchase of
our stock options on the company in a three tier payment system with 50 percent
of the assets being paid for with 2.5 billion cash. My share is one third of
the 51 percent of shares we hold in the corporation or about 832.5 million
dollars. This will create a windfall for me so I have spread my share out over
10 years to pay and they accepted those terms. Now then I will have
approximately 83.25 million per year for 10 years. At a 50 percent tax rate I am
going to be Uncle Sam’s best friend. I imagine he may buy a new nuclear submarine
with their new found tax money unless I do something about it. I think I have
the solution for both of us. “
“What’s that?”
lee asked as held her in his arms listening to the news.
“Well rather
than just give the money to the government I plan on starting a trust and since
we have no kids, it will be for the preservation of America’s farmland. We will
buy farms and invest in modern agriculture and start new couples out on farms
with a plan for success. They will over time return the investment at no
interest and in the end will own the farm. This will assure that our nation has
a ready supply of small farmers available to provide a block to corporate
farming. The only catch to this whole thing is that the farms need to be
organic and cannot use gmo’s as a seed source. I felt we need to help the
average person out with this money, I have been blessed to receive and I needed
to use it for a good purpose. What do you think?”
Lee said “I love it
dear. We hardly need that much and we have been happy on a hell of a lot less,
and as long as you are happy and I am too, then why not. It’s your money”
“I intend to keep
about ten million in a separate trust to be divided among the nephews and
nieces after we are gone, but they don’t need to know that. And I am sure we could
slip a million or two away for ourselves to do things we want to do.” At this
point Lee separated from Ann and dragged her into the living room and sat on
the couch with Ann beside him as Susie moved also to keep up with Lee, and they
left the dishes as they were with the paper rolled up on the table.
“So who is going to administer your farm
trust? “ lee asked
“Well I
intend to till I make sure it is started the way I want. Want to go buy a farm?
She asked Lee and Lee laughed at this. “
He said. “Dear I just
sold one. And I was just saying to myself how glad I was to do that. But what
you are proposing is a grand idea. It is so hard for a young couples to get
started in farming with the high cost of farmland and equipment and then the
interest on the loans soon eat up any profit let alone a drought or flooding
occur . In no time if they have financing, they still have money troubles. To have the money to buy the right equipment
to make an operation work is nearly impossible starting out. What a grand plan
dear. Whatever made you think of this and why didn't you talk to me about it. Love
it dear.’
“Well I did
want to . but you had been so busy with all you had going on I just wanted to deal
with this myself and what made me think of it was when we were standing beside the
corral the night before the auction and I could see the loss in your face as you
stared out over the farm and it kind of broke my heart seeing you that way. To think
you had lived your whole life working on that farm and seeing you lose it the
way you did was heartbreaking. I thought if I ever have the power to do
something about the way that occurred I would try my best to make sure it never
happened to anyone else. This was part of the reason I decided to sell along with
my brother’ s as I felt they were no longer wanting to be involved in the business.
I was also looking for the best good I could do with the money and being able to keep it tax free as much as
possible. Farming is the place to be. Since it is a trust, it can roll the
money over indefinitely, and help people for generations. I was just so afraid
the family farm is going by the wayside and I hope this will keep independent small
farmers a viable part of our economy. I know corporations can be unfeeling and
driven by profit but I think food is something we all need as a basic commodity
and we shouldn't let corporations tell us when and what to eat. “
‘Wow you amaze
me dear. I am so lucky to have you in my life’
“You bet you sweetheart right answer.” She laughed
as she teasingly smiled at him and then she leaned over and kissed him slightly
on the lips and then he reached his arm around her shoulder and pulled her
close to him as he sat beside her and gave her a long sensual kiss to show his desire
for her. He tasted the moist wanting in her
mouth as she fell into his arms. She breathed deep as feelings of warmth
overflowed her, as she longed for his affection and they both sat and stared at
each other as they parted briefly for air. Staring into each other’s eyes, Lee knew
he had someone special and wasn't afraid to let her know how important she was
in his life. Of all the things she could do with the money she still had that
compassion in her soul to help her fellow man. This is really what rich is all
about thought Lee. It’s not about yachts or fancy things but instead making
money do well for someone else. He smiled and gave her another peck on the lips
as he was overwhelmed with the news sinking in. and with Ann he knew it wasn't just
hot air she was spouting but that is what she would do. Her word was always
good. Lee tugged on her hand and she followed him to the bedroom without
speaking and Susie tried to follow but Lee shut the door before she had a chance
to enter so she laid in front of the door and curled up and went to sleep,
despite the screams of joy she heard many times before coming from behind that
door.
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