Chapter 2

Matt met Jenna at LAX for their ten thirty flight to O’Hare. He couldn’t help but see the excitement in her about this trip and in going on the flight. It went without saying that he also saw how good she looked in the white blouse and black slacks she was wearing that showed the excellent figure she had.

The flight was uneventful and surprisingly somewhat enjoyable. The reason he thought that was not only because Jenna was his travelling companion but it also was because they were flying business class in a Boeing triple seven. This plane was making a stop at O’Hare and then would be continuing on non-stop to London. This was the only way to fly was the thought they both had.

Because of the time change it was a little after five after they landed, claimed their luggage and rented a car. They headed directly to the Hampton Inn and checked in. There was a Longhorn Steakhouse a few streets over where they had a pleasant dinner. The conversation centered on “getting to know you” type of information. Dining with Jenna was a pleasant experience that Matt enjoyed doing. He could only assume there would be many of these dinners in the future.

The following morning they found Doug’s office and were warmly greeted. Introductions were made by Doug Morris and Mia Landers to Matt and Jenna. They all sat in Doug’s office and he gave them a broad overview of what this business was doing and how this present operation came about. Both Matt and Jenna asked questions which Doug answered. After taking a coffee break it became a one on one with Mia with Jenna and Doug was with Matt.

Doug spoke about some of the loans he had made to Doctors, a food truck operator, a fish smoking business and some others. He gave a copy to Matt of the instructions he gives to the Attorney who draws up the loan agreements. Doug also gave Matt copies of some of those agreements.

After lunch the conversations continued. Matt was interested in how this business and the availability of small business loans were being advertised. Doug explained that local area magazines, newspapers and the internet were the avenues that he was using which he found to be successful. For Matt’s operation he suggested that Matt also consider using national magazines but only in their regional editions. The MBA programs at the universities were also discussed as an area Doug thought about but hadn’t yet approached.

During the conversation Matt said, “I don’t know why Troy Kane didn’t offer you the job of doing this for the Wilkinsing Foundation.”

“He did make me the offer” said Doug, “but I turned it down.”

“Can I ask why,” asked Matt?

“Let me just say that I had my reasons.”

Before Matt realized it he saw that it was close to five. Doug said that they should call it a day and invited Matt and Jenna to have dinner with him tonight. Matt accepted the invitation and Doug gave him directions to the Embers restaurant.

Back in their rooms Matt and Jenna freshened up and then left to meet Doug for the six thirty time the reservation was for.

For some reason Matt assumed it was just Doug they were going to be dining with but he was surprised to see Doug there with a very attractive lady. Doug introduced Matt and Jenna to Lisa Mullins who he said was his fiancée.

Matt remarked, “I thought you had good taste and in meeting Lisa it just confirms that you do.” His remark caused the three of them to laugh.

At the table having dinner the conversation revealed that Lisa was Doug’s assistant initially in setting up this loan operation. She however had received a loan which enabled her to become the owner of a large and successful Realty office. Their plans called for a May wedding.

When both ladies excused themselves to go to the restroom Doug said, “Earlier today you asked why I turned down Troy Kane’s job offer. Let me just say right out front that Lisa was the reason. She is coming into her own as a successful business person and I didn’t want to leave here and maybe lose her. I would have to be an idiot to leave her for a few more dollars and while the chances were she probably would have gone with me, I think she would always be wondering of what might have been.”

“In meeting Lisa I can say there is not a doubt in my mind that you made the right decision,” said Matt.

After dinner and on the drive back to the Inn both Matt and Jenna agreed that Doug and Lisa were good people and it showed that they deeply cared for each other.

The following day the training or maybe what you would call orientation continued with Matt again asking questions and Doug answering them. Jenna and Mia also continued their conversation. Matt couldn’t help but notice that Jenna was going fairly regularly to the copy machine.

For a little change to the day, Doug offered Matt the opportunity to sit in on an interview he was doing with a Kevin Denning who was applying for a loan. Kevin had just graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and was applying for a loan to open up a fast food restaurant. He said while going to school for the past four years he worked at a small fast food restaurant chain in the Madison area and learned the business. Kevin said during the summers when people went on vacations he managed one of the locations. He wanted to duplicate what he saw and learned at this restaurant in this area. He was aware of a restaurant that was for sale that would require a little work in constructing a drive-in operation and putting up some signage.