Chapter 12

As I walked into the bank, I had gone over the numbers with Eddie and Ron. Ron wanted to buy both buildings but didn’t have the cash for either. Eddie wanted in as partners and said he would wire me the funds from the Bahamas. He came with me to the bank and Mr. Tucker invited us into his office. “Well, what did you decide on the buildings?”

“For the right price and enough work, I would feel comfortable renting them out to people. I won’t have a fire or plummeting elevator in one of my buildings. They’re both old but have potential. As Eddie says, they have good bones. I know what it will take to get them up to current codes and install fire sprinklers. I have some idea about what I can rent them for if I find the right tenants. The question is how much do you need for me to take them off the ‘Bad Debt’ column of the bank?”

“I think the restaurant is worth three million and the office building five.”

“In the condition they’re in you’d be lucky to get half that and then they would have to spend that again renovating. I was thinking that five would take them both and I was being generous. I think we’re pretty far apart.”

“Could we split the difference and do seven?”

“That isn’t splitting the difference and I thought five was the high end and was going to ask for four and a half to be fair.”

“You are going in the wrong direction. Six?”

“You’re at six and I’m at four and a half. Let’s just call it five and sign the papers?” I stuck out my hand to seal the deal. He hesitated. I knew the bank was owed less than three so this was a good deal for him and a great deal for me. He shook my hand and Eddie shook as well. We did the paperwork with both Eddie and I owning fifty percent.

I said, “I gave the restaurant free rent for forty percent ownership. Do you want twenty or do you want me to pay you rent for your half?”

“Which is more?”

“That depends on how successful the restaurant is. You’re a risk taker so take a chance.”

“I own fifty percent of the building and twenty percent of the restaurant and fifty percent of the office building? How much will the renovations be?”

“Not much. No more than a half million. The elevators, electric and plumbing will take the most and the fire system. The offices will be built out for or by the tenants. Any cost will be added into the lease including interest. We’ll make good money on both deals.”

Ed flew home the next morning and my phone rang that afternoon. It was Casey. “Bull, you called to tell us you were going to Florida but never called to tell us you were back.”

“I’m back and just sat down for the first time since I returned. I had some business deals that kept me busy.”

“Can I come over?”

“I’ll leave the door unlocked and you can get naked before you leave the foyer.” Fifteen minutes later, she was naked, on her knees and sucking my cock. Afterwards, she said, “I have two things I need to tell you, or three.”

“What is it, Little One?”

“I got the job as a flight attendant and will leave next month for training.”

“Congratulations. You can see the world. I’m happy for you.”

“They want me based out of Miami after I finish my training.”

“That sucks but I get down there a few times a year and can use my fucktoy when I’m in town.”

“I’ve also been going out with Darren since the night at Hemingways. He’s moving to South Florida in a month or so to open his company.”

“So it’s serious? I just want you to be happy and if that’s living with Darren in Florida and flying around the world then I’m happy for you.”

She crawled into my lap and I held her as she cried on my chest.

“I’ll still see you. Don’t worry about it.”

“There’s more. I didn’t want to hurt you but didn’t want to use you as an excuse so I kind of lied and told him that I was a good girl and didn’t sleep around. He’s been patient but I told him that if we moved in together, that I would be expecting a ring and a proposal within a year.”

I just held her. “Thanks for letting me know.”

We had sex but it was slow and caring, not just me using her for my pleasure. I’m not sure that she liked it better but she didn’t complain. Later that afternoon, I got a call from Darren. “Hey Bull, I heard that you were back in town. I was hoping to talk to you about a few things. Do you want to go golfing tomorrow morning?”

“Sure, do you have clubs or will I need to rent some?”

“I have a couple sets. I rented a car and will pick you up at eight.”

At 8 am I was down in front of the building and Darren picked me up and started driving to a course over in New Jersey. As we rode, we talked about how his business was going and some contacts he has that will be a good place for him to step out on his own. We checked in and teed off. I totally suck at golf. It went left, it went right and I just kept hitting as it got closer and closer to the hole. Darren shot a 78 and I shot 121. It was nice to be outside and the course was pretty and well kept but golf isn’t my sport.

We were in the clubhouse afterwards having a beer when he said, “There are a few things I wanted to talk to you about” he paused while I nodded for him to continue. “First I wanted you to know that I’ve been dating your friend Casey. It isn’t like the times we went out and got crazy. I’m serious about her and have been taking things slow. She got a job in south Florida and I don’t want to be here and her there so I was going to move my time table up a few months.”

“Casey’s a sweetheart. I wish you both well.”

“I was also hoping you could loan me or my business some money to get it up and running?”

“How much will you need?”

“I was thinking about ten thousand.”

“Do you have a place to live? I own some condos on the beach.”

“That would be great. But I’ll still need some capital to get the company up and running.”

“$50k interest free. You have two years to repay but it has to be in lumps of $25k or more and if you don’t have it paid back in two years, I get 50% of the business. You can stay in one of the condos for up to two years for free but you won’t get maid service and it will probably be on the ground floor.”

“Bull I think that’s more than fair. I accept but why did you give me more than I asked for?”

“I just opened a couple places and they both cost more than I expected. I want you to have every chance to succeed and I don’t want you to not be able to do something that will launch your business because you were undercapitalized.”

“Thanks for believing in me and my business, Bull.”

“Take care of Casey. She’s a sweet girl.”

“I’ll do that.”

Three weeks later, Darren rented a Uhaul and Sandy set them up on the ground floor at the very end. Darren started working and Casey was off to Atlanta to start her training. It was the end of May and it was finally warm enough for the girls to be laying in the sun but most were studying. Final papers, projects and exams were just around the corner. One day there was a knock on my door. I opened it to find a little redhead.

“Bull, I need someplace quiet to write. Can I use your kitchen table? My roommates just want to party.”

“Sure, help yourself.”

Rummaging through a drawer in the kitchen, I found a spare key and set it on the table in front of her. “Give it back before you leave for California.”

“Thanks Bull.” She stopped and gave me a hug and kiss on the cheek.

“You are my precious gem, Ruby. Do great in school.”

To give her some quiet, I went out and looked at all the flesh sunning on the roof and had some fun thoughts but wandered down to Hemingways. I sat down and Pete was behind the bar. “Hey Bull, what are you in the mood for?”

“A bull?”

“Coming right up. I heard about the new place. Do you have room for a good bartender?”

“I’m not in charge of hiring. That’s Gary’s job but I wouldn’t be opposed to you working down there. You’re the manager of this bar. I’ll ask you the same question I asked Jay. Do you have someone trained that could take your place as a bar manager?”

“I think Tim could handle it but he doesn’t have the experience that I do and doesn’t interact with the customers as well as I do. I’m not sure if that is something you can teach and it will just take time for him to learn more drinks. Tim is your man.”

“Talk to Gary. We all have jobs and that’s not mine. If you need a reference, you can use me.”

“I’ll take you up on that, thanks. When is the new place scheduled to open?”

“At least a month or more. We took out all of the old kitchen equipment. we’re redoing the electric and plumbing. They were both old and now’s a good time. we’re also adding a fire system and new security cameras. The wood is being polished as are the floors. There’s new carpet going in the downstairs and a few other things. The bar takes up the whole left side of the main floor. It’s a beautiful bar.”

“I may stop by on my day off and take a look. I like it here and if this is where Gary needs me, I’ll stay here but I would also love to apply my craft at a place that may create more value for the restaurant.” I sipped my drink and he asked if I’d seen the Knicks play the night before. Dinner was just fish and chips tonight. When I made it back around 10pm with a few drinks in me, Ruby was gone. There was a note on the table.

Bull, Thanks for letting me work at your place. I got my paper done. I may stop by and use your place to study if I need it. You are the best.

Ruby.

I was down at Hemingways on Friday night sitting at the bar. Tim was running the bar with two helpers. Gary and Pete were around but they were just observing. Gary and Pete sat next to me and we all had dinner. Gary said, “Pete said you were his reference for the job.”

“There was more to it but since Tim is running the bar, I guess we’re seeing how well his replacement was trained. I like the demeanor that Pete has behind the bar, his knowledge, skill and dedication to the art of mixology shines through. He’s knowledgeable but not snooty or arrogant. He wants others to understand and appreciate what they’re drinking. I like someone that is passionate about what they do. If there is someone better, hire them. If not then I would say to give him a chance. I told him that the hiring was all yours. Set goals and expectations for him to live up to.”

“That was a damn good reference. I already gave him the job. Jay will be moving down there and is already hiring staff. We have a couple guys here that can step up. We’ll move the better one to kitchen manager and the other to night kitchen manager. I told Ted that he’s staying here to hold it together. If he wants to move down to the other place, we could talk about it. I think he was happy to stay but disappointed that he wasn’t considered.”

“Since he’ll be over the entire restaurant, are you or Jay willing to give him shares to manage your restaurant?”

“Maybe. I’ll talk to Jay. Do you want to give him shares?”

“I gave you shares to run it. I gave Jay shares to cook. You’re both moving on to a bigger place with more opportunity. Talk to him and if you think I need to, we can talk about your proposal. It would just be for Hemingways and not the other place. I think we should name the other place, Rockefellers. They say that he built the building for Enzo. I guess Enzo bought him out or something. It sounds regal and I like oysters Rockefeller. It has some connection to food.”

Gary said, “I like it. I’ll go talk to Jay.”

Pete pointed out what the bartenders were doing and why they were doing it. Gary came back later. “Ted’s happy. I gave him 5% and Jay gave him 5%. He now owns 10% or at least he will after we talk to the attorney that set up the company. Jay loves the name of the new restaurant. This place has the feel of Hemingway and that other building has the feel of Royalty.

(Author’s note. When I see Rockefellers in my mind, I see Del Posto in NYC. If you google it and look at the images you can see what I see. It also was a great place to eat in the city before closing due to covid. Al Coro has opened in the same building.)

There was a plan in place. I was pleased and then someone put their hands over my eyes. I knew I was supposed to guess. “Pete is that you?”

The hands came off and I spun around to see Sin. “Cynthia. It’s great to see you. I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too. You need to listen to your answering machine or something. You’re never home.”

“Maybe a good idea. I’m glad you found me. Do you want a drink or something to eat?”

Looking at the attentive Tim, she said, “Gin martini, up.”

She took a sip when it arrived and thanked Tim. “I love this bar. It’s very relaxing and the food is great.”

“We’re losing Pete and Jay. They both put in their notices.”

“That’s bull shit. What do you need to do to keep them?”

“Open a new restaurant and move them over there.”

“Where is it?”

“It used to be called Enzo’s. It’s down on the lower west side.”

“I loved Enzo’s and love the building.”

“We’re remodeling now. We can go when it opens.”

“Do you have plans tonight? I wanted to go to Sherry’s place. Do you want to go?”

Sherry ran a sex club. I told her yes. When we got there, Sherry greeted us and we talked a bit before going in to change. After we were down to our underwear or for me, just my boxers, Sin said, “Bull, there is something I want to show you. Not to upset you but just so you’ll know. We never go down to the third basement or the dungeon. When I first saw your friend. I didn’t know where I knew her from but she looked familiar. Your friend Ruby works in the dungeon.”

All I could think of is someone hitting her or raping her and I was about to get sick or kill someone. I cared a lot for my precious gem. I sat down with my back to the wall to try to catch my breath. I looked up a Sin, “Why?”

“Sherry pays well. She can’t be at the front desk and in the dungeon. Some people wait tables or pour drinks. She works in a dungeon.”