Chapter 1

Tomorrow is the last day of school for the year. One more exam and I can mark off eleventh grade. I was just visiting my neighbor across the street or the cul-de-sac. My name Is Jack Overstreet but you might know me as Johnny. My neighbor, Britt, had wanted to talk with me. We’ve become closer since my father passed away.

Britt is about 10 years older than me and there’s about the same age difference between him and my mom. They were good friends and our families seem to have merged into one over the last fifteen years. I stopped over and we sat out by the pool, just the two of us. The main topic of conversation was my future.

It started with, “Johnny, it seems like just a short while ago when I was babysitting for you back in Orlando. I’ve watched you grow both physically and emotionally and am proud of what I see. Your mom tells me that you’re on track for another great year in school. The daily workouts have you looking very fit and Chuck and the security team tell me that your Krav Maga self-defense courses are going well. I don’t expect you to have the rest of your life mapped out today but with only one year of high school left, in what direction do you see yourself leaning?”

“Britt, I don’t know. I know that I want to go to college and Mom wants me to go as well. I don’t think that I can be a world class musician like Darcy and I sure don’t have any grand plans to change the transportation world like you did. I also know that with what has been given to me; my mom would kill me if I just sat on my ass all day for the rest of my life. I was thinking about playing golf and poker like you do,” I said with a smile.

“You do well at poker but the pros would eat you up until you got some more experience. Golf is something that you should stay away from when there’s high stakes gambling going on. You don’t practice enough to even consider that. Both you and Mary can hold your own when we play cards here at the house but if you want to play in the casinos, I have some more things to teach you.”

“I know. I can take most of my friends for a couple bucks when we play. What you have taught us is just a different way than most of them think. Between all the businesses that you and Mom are involved in, I’ll probably see if something interests me. Right now, I’m thinking of getting a business degree but that can change. I play on the varsity basketball and volleyball teams at school but don’t think that I am tall enough to play in college.”

“That’s fine, just keep doing your best at all that you do and adjust your course in life as things come up. I do have a favor to ask. I want you to think about a set of rules that you plan to live by. This is something that I did when I was younger and it seemed to help me as I’ve made decisions. I didn’t always follow them and sometimes changed them but it gave me a base line against which to judge myself and my actions.”

“I can do that but don’t really know what you mean. Can I read your rules?”

“I never wrote mine down but probably should have. You have a lot of money, you’re in good shape, you have good looks, and you’re smart. This means that you have a lot of options in life and how you live it. This will be truer when you move away and go to college. You’ll be able to eat what you want, go to bed when you want, wake up when you want, go to class when you want, study, work out, drink, do drugs, date, have sex. The world is your oyster.”

He continued, “I always tried to put my classes first. I wanted to learn, understand, and master the material beyond just being able to pass the test. I took my classes in the morning and then studied until dinner. It was just like having a job. I would work out in the morning before class and play tennis, basketball, or golf other times. I made time for my friends and watched what I ate and drank.”

“Britt, those all sound like good ideas. I study now and am still doing the pushups, sit-ups and I run most mornings. I like to play basketball or volleyball for fun and golf on occasion. I like to take out the boat and ski or mess around on the lake when I have time.”

“I know that your trust has a clause about drugs and such. I spoke to your mom and asked how she was going to approach those things. She basically said that most kids in college drink some and smoke some pot. Most can’t afford coke, or harder drugs. You can. She will be watching your grades and how often you call home to check in to see how strict she will be.”

“I’ll put it on my calendar to call her and tell her I love her regularly. I’ve tried both pot and alcohol but don’t make a habit of either.”

“Johnny, I don’t know how much you remember but your dad had some problems with alcohol. He wasn’t one that needed a drink to get out of bed or had to have a drink every day. He did have a problem that when he started drinking, he had trouble stopping. I’m one that if I go out drinking, I’ll have a couple when I first arrive then when I get a little buzz, I’ll have one or so an hour and nurse my drinks and my buzz all night. If I know I’ll be leaving at some point, I’ll make sure I stop drinking and am sober or call a cab before I leave. I had a friend in college that got a DUI and it set his life back a couple years, and he didn’t hurt anyone. If he had, it would have been ten times worse.”

“I don’t drink and drive. I have too much to lose. Mom tells me that people always come after the deep pocket and even if we have the best lawyers, sometimes it costs more to fight them than it does to just pay them off so I can always be a target if I let myself get into those situations.”

“Your mom’s right. Lawyers cost a lot but they can save you a lot of headaches. Your dad sure did for me.”

“What kind of rules did you have about sex besides what you taught me in the condom aisle of the drug store a year or two ago?”

“Johnny.”

I interrupted him before he could go into his explanation, “Britt, I do want to hear what you have to say about sex but I’m thinking that I want to change my name. Johnny is a little boy’s name or a nickname for John. My dad was John so they called me Johnny instead of Junior. I was thinking about using the adult nickname of ‘Jack’ so I don’t think about my dad every time someone calls my name.”

“Jack has a nice ring and you can use it the rest of your life. JFK was called Jack by his friends and family. I wouldn’t call Johnny Cash or Johnny Carson little boys.”

“I know but I’ve been thinking about it when the girls drag it out is sounds childish, ‘Johnnnnnyyyy’.”

“Okay, Jack. I like it but don’t expect everyone to get it right the first time and I don’t know if your mom will ever stop letting you be her little boy.” Britt shot me a smile before continuing. “I do expect you to not rape any women and make sure you and your partner are both protected and disease free. I also had a rule about sleeping with married women or girls that are in relationships unless they had permission from their partner. This let me sleep better at night knowing that I wasn’t out trying to split up families or relationships. I knew that I didn’t plan on settling down until I proposed to Darcy so I knew that if the woman left her husband or boyfriend that I wasn’t going to be there to catch them.”

I chuckled and replied, “I don’t have too many married women hitting on me but there are a few girls at school that smile at me or give me that look even though they are dating someone else. So, I know a little about what you’re saying.”

“There are very few people that get married to their high school sweethearts. College sweethearts are more common but even then, it isn’t that common. Try to enjoy life and don’t worry about getting married until you know that the woman you’re with is the one and only person you ever want to be with the rest of your life. You know that I don’t have just one. Neither do Darcy, your mom, and others in our close circle of friends, but outside that circle, it’s common to be monogamous after marriage. Your spouse may expect or demand that from you so be sure and talk about your expectations. Honesty is always the best policy.”

“Yes, I had that talk with Jackie when we first got together. She was surprised when I brought it up but we both had a clear understanding about our relationship before we had sex and then went home to our home states.”

“We talked about people suing you. There are also women out there that may try to trap you by getting pregnant. If you want to be a dad and get someone pregnant, that’s also something you should have thought out and talked about in advance. I have a couple of kids that were planned and wanted children but just not any that I planned to raise or be responsible for. I did fund some trusts for their college and would step in if I was needed but the moms were clear before they got pregnant.”

“I guess that I should read and understand the trust. I don’t know much about it except that I have one and it is worth a lot.”

“Think of a trust like a company. The company is there to make money to pay you. The company owns everything. The company pays you dividends. If you get in a car wreck, they can sue you but not the company. If you die the company doesn’t die so there are no death taxes. The company pays income tax, capital gains taxes and others but not death taxes. There are rules about what the trust can own, how it pays out, when it pays out and when it doesn’t. Try heroin or PCP and the trust is locked down and you don’t see any more money. Get sued and the allowance is turned off. Divorce and other things are covered. It is just a company with rules and it is all set up to protect you.”

“I guess I should read it and have my attorney explain it to me. I’ll be eighteen years old next year. Do I have to take it over then or what?”

“I don’t know. Your mom is the trustee but Karen manages most of the stocks and bonds. There’s some private stock in there as well. I think your mom and Darcy both plan to talk to you as well. We aren’t ganging up on you and I hope that I haven’t made you feel that way. Like I said earlier, you’re at a point in your life that your decisions will start to be more important in regards to your future and we want to make sure that you’re making good choices. We all love you and are proud of you. That won’t change no matter how bad you fuck up but don’t fuck up. I hate to go to funerals and visit people in jail so don’t make me see you in either place.”

“I don’t plan on it or I guess I should say, I’ll try to make the choices so you’ll never have to.”

“Good boy, Johnny – I mean, Jack. Jack, I am getting used to it but know that I’ll mess up your new name a few times before it sinks in. Next week, your mom and I are going to Wales for a couple of weeks to look over some of the energy projects. Mary wants to come along and so does Lilly. Karen will stay in the country but will be in New York one of the two weeks. Darcy will be in town in case you need anything.”

“Mom mentioned the trip in passing. I can drive so should be fine. I might take out the boat since it’ll be summer time. Tell Darcy that if she gets lonely, she’s welcome to come over and hang out or give me a call. If she wants more, she will need to get permission from you.”

Britt jumped off the chair and I saw him coming after me. I ran around the pool just to stay away even though I knew he was just goofing around. He didn’t chase me too far but stopped and said, “Darcy can mess with whoever she wants but tells me about them all. She hasn’t ever mentioned any guys since I have known her.”

American History was my last exam of the year and I wanted to review one more time before the exam the next day so I thanked Britt for the talk and headed home. I reviewed my notes for the final and then jotted down some of the topics that he mentioned. I guess in passing I had thought about all those things but never to the point where I was making rules for myself. I liked to work things out myself, but if I had rules written down, I could compare my actions to those rules and get back on track faster with as few consequences as possible.

Darcy is so much fun to be around. She’s so in control and demanding in all she does but when she’s around Britt, she’s just his docile little wife. I wouldn’t kick her out of my bed but she has never done more than flirt with me since I’ve known her. Mom sleeps with them both which isn’t a secret inside of the family. She talked to both Mary and me about their relationship even before Dad had passed away.

American History was a required class and I was taking AP American History so I could get college credit. It was much more difficult but I did well enough to pass the class and qualify for college credit. Mom took Mary and me both out to dinner to celebrate another year in the books. Mary had skipped one grade when we moved out to Nevada so she would be a junior next year and I would be a senior.

Mary was going to Wales the following week so she went out to spend some time with her friends and I ended up talking to my mom sitting out by our own pool.

She started, “I spoke to Britt about your talk yesterday and he said that it went well. I am proud of you Son; both for doing so well in school and what a fine young man you’re turning out to be. I see a lot of your dad in you and a lot of Britt in the way you live your life.”

“Thanks Mom. I loved Dad and I love Britt like a big brother. You’re doing a good job in the parenting department and seem happy. You being happy is important to me.”

“I’m happy. I still miss your dad but have accepted that he has passed and my life is still going. I should make the most of it. Speaking of that, I’ve made some changes. Darcy, Britt, and I were having some wine the other night and talking. That is what prompted the talk last night and tonight. I’m the trustee for your trust and Mary’s. I started the Sport Support company with Darcy and we let Mary slip in as an owner as a lark. It’s taking off and growing. I still plan to work there to help it grow but I get a salary. When I do finally pass away, my trust will split in half and go evenly to you and your sister except for some that will be given to charity.”

“I don’t want you to die anytime soon, Mom. I had this talk with Britt yesterday.”

“I don’t plan on it anytime soon. I just wanted your trust to get the same benefits of the growth so I sold your trust my shares of the Sport Support brand. Mary got in much cheaper but you still have a huge upside. I had to sell it for a fair evaluation or be subject to gift taxes of 50%. You still got a great deal.”

“Wow that is cool. I hope Mary won’t be upset.”

“She was happy to have you on board. I’m glad you two get along and hope that you continue to for a long time. Britt mentioned that he talked to you about your trust and I can explain it to you any time that you want. I’m the sole trustee until you graduate college with a four-year degree or turn thirty whichever is first. Then we become co-trustees. There are still rules about the pay outs even if you’re the co-trustee. This is again for your protection. If we agree we can override some of the rules but if we disagree then the rules are the deciding factor. This way you can blame me and the trust if you’re ever pressured to do something. I have a clause in mine that if I remarry that there will be a prenuptial agreement or the trust cuts way back on payouts and the rules change. The trust is the bad guy, not me when I make him sign, not that I plan on there being any new guy.”

“I guess that makes sense. Britt and I talked about making some life rules that fit me and I can live by. I haven’t written them all down but have been thinking about them. We talked about the trust I inherited and my future. Maybe since I am out for the summer, I’ll see if Darcy needs any help down at the office. I promised my friend Steve that I would take him skiing this weekend but those are the only plans that I’ve made so far this summer.”

“There are mirrors on the boat but I like for you to have at least three people when you ski.”

“There will probably be three or four people when we go but Steve’s the only definite so far.”

“Why don’t you call Darcy and see what she says about work for the summer. I’m sure she will be happy to have you helping. Tell her not to pay you too much because you get a bonus out of your trust to match your w-2 at the end of the year. The trust is set up to reward hard work but you don’t need the income now. You would be better off leaving the money in the trust to work and grow for you.”

Mom did mention that she liked the name Jack but that she’d continue calling me “Sweetie”, or some other pet name, most of the time and that I would always be her baby.

Darcy was an easy call. She wanted to get together Sunday night for dinner after Mom and Britt took off. We could discuss the summer work and catch up. She finished by saying, “I look forward to working with you, Jack.” Britt was always a step ahead.

The boat was kept down at the marina so we didn’t have to drag it back and forth to the lake. There were two boats. One had a couple of cabins and was made for cruising and staying aboard. The other was just all muscle and designed for going fast, pulling skiers, and having fun. We were going to take out the ski boat. I was up and finished with my work out by 8am when I called Steve. He was upset and told me that he had to clean up his dad’s shop before he could go.

His dad was retired Air Force. His last base before he retired was in Nevada. He had opened a shop where he worked on heavy equipment. They did a lot of work on diesel motors. They also replaced tires and did electrical work on the construction and mining machines. I wanted to go skiing and Steve was going to invite his girlfriend, Mae. Mae was going to bring a friend as well so no Steve no women in bikinis all day. I told him that I would come over and help. The shop wasn’t bad but there was a pile of used tires that needed to be moved from just outside the work bay doors over to the back fence where they could be loaded up and hauled off when they had enough for a trailer load.

The fork lift was being used on one of the projects they were working on so Steve and I had to move them by hand. I didn’t think it would be a problem to stand them up and roll them to the fence. There were only about twenty or twenty-five tires. After working out as much as I do, it was amazing how much work it was to move those tires, squatting down to lift them and then move them. I was fatigued after just five tires and Steve wasn’t far behind. We got them moved and took the ladies out for an afternoon on the lake.

Mae showed up with Kelly Grimes. They were both wearing Sport Support bikinis and looking good. I told them that I was planning on working there over the summer but didn’t mention that I was now a one third owner. I hadn’t done anything yet for the company so just played dumb and told them I didn’t know about employee discounts because I didn’t wear bikinis. We had a fun day and a nice dinner on the way home but I was sore when I made it home for the night.

The following morning, I was up to say goodbye to Mom and Mary but was limping with the sore hamstrings and quads. Those huge tires were coming back to haunt me a second time. Chuck, the head security guy, was traveling with them so he drove them all to the airport in the Expedition. I stretched and climbed into the Jacuzzi before I even thought about breakfast.

School was out for the summer but I now had a job, even though I didn’t know what it was or what I would be doing. I was going to dinner with Darcy. We were close friends but we were never close. It wasn’t either of our faults but I was close to my mom, Mary and Britt because of our everyday contact. Darcy was the same with those relations but we never did a lot together just the two of us except when she used to pick me up or drop me off somewhere as a favor to my mom. It would be interesting to see how we got along in a work setting.