Chapter 17

It turned out to be a busy week. Carol was interested in the real estate deals that I’d told her about. We were having dinner at the yacht club on Sunday night and were talking about it when Tony Del Rocco came over to say hello. Carol was taking some notes and he asked, “When I see Bull and numbers, he must be making more money.”

I explained about the new tax laws and the drop in the price of many of the buildings. He was interested and he asked if he could join the discussion. I didn’t think that either he or Carol could be a threat to making good deals so I invited him and his wife to join us. He had his finger on the pulse of the city and knew which areas were getting better and which ones were going down. Carol knew most of the bankers in town and could work with them to get lists of the buildings they thought would be coming up for sale based on the new laws.

My thought was that if we could get a list of all the buildings or most of the buildings that may be for sale that we would be better off and could put together purchases that made good sense instead of buying from just one bank and what they were trying to get rid of. Tony always liked ideas that could take the money he made through illegal means and making legitimate businesses out of them. Rental income was one such way.

I told them that I would get a list from Mr. Tucker and we split up the rest of the big banks between us depending on who knew who at the banks. We would get back together in a few weeks to map out the properties and come up with a plan.

Getting the full list from Mr. Tucker took a few days but he eventually understood that if he wanted to sell any buildings to me that it was the only way I would be interested. Eddie had spoken with a few of his bank contacts and got passed along to other contacts. There were more buildings on beaches and an office building in downtown Miami that all looked good and he wanted me to come down and see. I mentioned that list we were putting together in New York and that it may be a week or three before I could come down for a visit.

That Friday night, I found myself in a new suit, with Carol on my arm at some fundraising gala for the arts. Most men were in tuxes but I didn’t own and didn’t want to rent one. I had a couple suits for when I needed to look presentable. Carol informed me that most of the banks would be present and it was at events like this that much of the business in the city was done or at least started.

Smiling and shaking hands while we drank and talked. We made our way around the room. We were talking about real estate and many bankers were happy to hear someone interested in buying instead of selling. Most promised to get a list together so that we could look over their portfolios to see if any met our needs.

We also ran into Lucy and EJ Patterson. Their daughter was all about the music so finding them at an event to support the arts seemed fitting. Lucy said that she missed seeing me around and wanted to try to get back to where we were before. I told her that we would see. She had my number so it wasn’t like she was calling and I was turning her down.

EJ, wanted to talk about going sailing and the stock market. I enjoyed talking with him and always learned something. We talked in general about my account and the software programs they were using to keep it heading in the right direction. It was outperforming the rest of the market. He also mentioned that as they were getting comfortable with the software they were finding more trends that would be a more aggressive style but it may be right for someone as young as me and as diversified as me.

“EJ I’ll call over and move some money into that portfolio. I don’t mind my assets sitting and earning interest but if I can take more risks and get more reward, I’m not opposed to that.”

The music at the event was nice, the food could have been better. The contacts were well worth the overpriced tickets. We also bought some raffle tickets for door prizes and bid on a few things in the silent auction but didn’t win anything, except one. I overbid on a 1946 Martin D-28 guitar. It was in perfect condition and I couldn’t let her get away. Someone had donated it and she found a great new home with me. I was allowed to strum it a bit but didn’t want to draw any more attention to the guitar than it already had so I didn’t play any songs once I was comfortable that it sounded great.

Saturday, I was by myself down at the yacht club, looking at the boats and having a beer and a sandwich at the bar and started to think about all the different things that I had going on. There were minor themes in the things I was doing and things that were working well for me. One of the themes was that there were people out there with money and they weren’t afraid to spend it if they felt they were getting something exclusive that others didn’t have access to.

From there my mind drifted to the CPS building. We’d moved the lobby down to the retail level and put the restaurant and spa above that. There were two floors above that and all I saw was some meeting rooms and a place for weddings and receptions. I didn’t think they could be rented everyday, all day, so they wouldn’t be tremendous money makers but may be needed for the hotel.

Amy wanted to use some of that space to do sales for the timeshare units out of the way and in private. Then it hit me. If we had a bar above the restaurant and a spa above the spa that only certain people knew about and had access to, people would flock there because they had access and others didn’t. If you were an NFL player you would probably go out or order in room service before just going down to the hotel restaurant but if there was a secret restaurant that you could access, then you would definitely go there.

This led to a meeting with Frederick. As I spoke, he closed his eyes and when I was done he said, “Bull, I think this will be great. I see a place that is actually more casual but exclusive. A place to unwind but still have the service and attention that they expect. The private spa could have things offered that aren’t on the regular menu. Acupuncture for the Asian travelers, maybe a common sana or tub area for couples or groups that are comfortable with their bodies.”

As Frederick laid out his vision, I bought into it. The upstairs restaurant would be like a high end club with leather club chairs and tables. A nice bar. A place to play cards, shoot pool or throw darts. All with the finest food and best liquors available.

We would have to figure out how to give access to those that should have it and keep out those that shouldn’t. A broom closet with a secret stairwell or key for the elevator. I would let Frederick and Gary figure that out, but I had just committed to the last two lower floors that I owned for the hidden restaurant and spa and then the meeting rooms above that. The hotel floors and timeshare floors were already designed and most of them built. A few were still available to meet the needs that may arise based on supply and demand and the two floors below the penthouse were all mine but without any plans on what would go there yet.

Later that night, I was just getting out of the shower when the phone rang. When I answered I heard, “Hey you. Are you looking for a date tonight?”

When I heard the voice, I knew who it was. “I would love to take my favorite stewardess and soon to be mommy out to dinner.”

“Can I bring a friend? We fly together and this is the first time we’ve had a layover in New York. I want her to see the city and not sit at the hotel like we normally do.”

“Rockefeller’s at 8?”

“If you can get us in we’ll be there. I won’t tell her where we’re going. Ashley will love it.”

At 8pm, I was at the door when I saw Casey. She had a tall black woman with her. I greeted them at the door and watched Ashley’s eyes light up as she saw the marble and wood that made the place feel like walking into a piece of art. Casey then got a big hug from me and a kiss on the cheek. She then introduced her friend.

Casey wasn’t drinking so we were led to our table. The place was still busy at 8pm but we were seated in a prime location. Ashley noticed and smiled at the people watching and wondering who were the people that were getting the prime spot. Casey was off, talking a mile a minute as she talked about Florida, Darren, the baby, her job, the beach and her friend Ashley. They’d met in training and bid on the same routes as buddies and almost always were given the same schedule for the month unless one was on standby to cover other stewardesses that couldn’t make their flight.

The food was amazing as always and Jay came out of the kitchen to greet the table and make sure our meals were good. Ashely was again surprised as he said hello to a couple other tables but didn’t spend the time like he did with our table. By the end of dinner we were all friends and had a great time. I told Casey that I need to get to Florida soon to see my family and take care of a few things.

“Bull, we fly to Dallas in the morning and then back here to JFK before flying home tomorrow night. If you get on the 6pm flight you can fly with us.”

“I have some loose ends to tie up but if I can make it, I would love for you to serve me.”

When I said that, I saw Ashley’s eyes get big again like when she’d walked into the restaurant. I was good at finding women that liked to serve. Ashely made sure she had my number in her little black book before they headed to queens where the airlines put them up for their overnight stay in New York.

In the morning, I checked in with Gary, Carol and Amy and they all told me to have a good time in Florida. Amy was excited to show me the timeshare and the sales were way ahead of schedule. The flight home was nice with Ashley and Casey making sure I had what I needed but we didn’t do anything crazy and I still wasn’t comfortable paying triple the price for first class so I flew in the back in an exit row to give me the leg room I needed.

My parents and family weren’t expecting me and Casey had a car so she drove me to the marina. She made me promise to stop by and see her and Darren before she would let me go. Kari was now living at my parent’s place when they were out of town. When I walked in she was so happy to see me. We hugged and I held her as the bubbliness wore off some. We were sitting in the small living room a little later.

She said, “Bull, I want to thank you again for all you did for me and my parents. It’s like we’re all new people with new lives. There’s a sense of peace that we never seemed to have and a sense of adventure as we look to the future. I can’t tell anyone at school about my money but they all can tell that in my soul, I’ve changed.”

“I’m happy that I could help you and your parents. Eddie helped me and in return, I’ve helped him. What our grandparents left to our parents, we’re just expanding on but just on land.”

“Oh, about that. Eddie found a marina down in Miami that he wants to convert to a yacht club like you did in New York. It’s about five times the size of this place. It was owned by an investment group and was heavily mortgaged. The bank has very little experience with marinas and Eddie has them almost wanting to give it to him.”

“That’s great, Kari. We could give visiting rights between the two yacht clubs. Those going north from here can dock and have privileges in New York. Those in New York would have the same here. It would be a selling point and benefit to both.”

“I like the idea and I’m sure that Ed will also. Do you want to ride down to South Beach tomorrow after school?”

“I don’t have school but I do have a Jeep. Do you need a ride home little girl?” “Fine. I’ll get a ride with a friend or have Mom pick me up. Tina’s dad works for a big fast food chain and got transferred to Canada to run all the stores there. They moved about a month ago.”

“I’m sorry about that but glad her dad is doing well and getting promoted.”

Kari nodded and later asked if she could sleep with me and have me hold her. She admitted that she missed her friend and didn’t have a boyfriend. We didn’t have sex but I held her and she was smiling and happy when I saw her getting ready for school the next morning. I dropped her off and a few of her friends were out front. I heard them asking about the guy, as the door was closing and I was driving away.

Amy was the first stop and she gave me an update on all the properties in Florida and New York that were under her control. She had already hit her numbers for the year and it wasn’t even half over. I told her to call the accountant and tell him to give her the bonus she was promised. She gave me a big hug and kiss even with Mark sitting a short distance away. “Bull, you have no idea how this makes me feel. I’m one of just a handful of women that gets a chance to do what I know I can do. You don’t have the same mentality that most owners have about women not being able to do what a man can. Thank you for believing in me.”

“Thanks for doing so well in looking after my investments. Thank you for giving people jobs and letting them support their families.”

We were still hugging and I could feel the wetness on my cheek from her tears. She was a happy lady. We did a quick tour and she was a speed demon on her golf cart. Sandy was happy to see me as well but also mentioned that she’d found a new boyfriend. She let me know that she’d be happy to take me to her place for a nooner but I passed and told her to make her boyfriend happy.

I walked over to the last condo and said hi to Casey. We were sitting out on the patio outside her sliding glass door overlooking the beach, sipping some iced tea when Darren came home. He was happy to see me and I got yet another hug.

We talked about his business and that it was doing very well. He was adding a new customer every week or two and the money that I’d fronted him was giving him the ability to expand and grow. I asked if he needed any more and he said, “we’re doing well and are in a niche of the market that is underserved. The huge companies are all about price. If I borrowed more we could go after that market but the margins are slim. The people I work with are a little smaller and need the help and services we provide. They pay a markup but are happy with the service.

“The baby will be here in a couple months. I plan to have Casey stop working then to take care of the baby. If things keep going the way that they are, we should be able to pay you back and buy a house in the next twelve to eighteen months. The loan and use of this condo have freed up funds that have helped us to compete and grow like others can’t.”

“I’m glad I could help.”

“Whenever you’re in south Florida, I want you to stay with us. You’re family and when our little girl is born, both Casey and I want you to be her Godfather.”

“I’d be honored but why me?”

Casey spoke up and said, “To be honest we went back and forth. We were both raised Catholic like our daughter will be. To pick one set of parents over the other was too hard to do so we thought about the way you care about people and take care of people. We don’t plan on dying but you have the space, the time and the means to look after her and you aren’t 80 years old either.”

“Like I said, I’d be honored. It sounds like you know that you’re having a girl. Do you know my goddaughter’s name yet?”

“Katherine.” was Casey’s reply.

“Well let me know when she’s born and I’ll send her a new pony as a birthday present.”

“Already spoiling her.” Darren laughed. “And, no ponies. We’re still staying at your condo and wouldn’t want to ruin the place. You may not get your security deposit back.”

Casey fixed us all dinner and we talked for awhile before I headed home to hold my cousin for another good night’s sleep. Kari was smiling when I dropped her off for school and I spent the day with Ed, looking at properties including the ones we owned and ones he was looking at. The marina was nice and had land for a nice club and parking. The price was so cheap, we both couldn’t come up with a reason to not buy it. The yacht club would be the first purchase in our new partnership.

Gary knew people and had a list of names for us to call on for the management of the new club and hotels. He liked the sister club idea between Miami and New York and would start putting together policies and procedures for those who wanted to join both or visit the other club.

Later that night. I was lying in bed while Kari brushed her teeth. When she was done, she came into the room and pulled off her t-shirt but left her panties on. As she slid in beside me and put her head on my chest, she said, “Bull, you are only a couple years older than me but all the boys in my school are just boys. They act like boys and here I’m with you, a man. I wish I could find someone like you.”