Chapter twenty nine & thirty
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The sound of activity downstairs caused him to wake. When he figured out it was his children coming home from school it shocked him. He remembered being glad he was home and the pleasant way they made love. Tanya had told him to take a little nap, which he did without hesitation. Eddie could not remember ever taking a six hour nap. He put on some clothes and went to see his, long lost, children.“ You’ ve grown!” he said to both of them.“ It’ s nice to have you home Daddy,” Nicole said, and hugged her father. She loved her car and did not mind having to wait around after school to drive Justin home.“ I’ ll play some one-on-one with you,” Justin said.“ My car is in the driveway. You can’ t play basketball. You will scratch or break something you big oaf,” Nicole said.“ I’ ll move it. Give me the keys,” Justin said, sticking out his hand.“ Yeah right,” she said, stuffing her keys in her pocket and heading up stairs.“ Mom tell her she has to move her car,” Justin said.
Eddie ended the argument by suggesting they play some darts. He smiled thinking“ There is no place like home,” and followed Justin out to the garage. Tanya handed Eddie his phone on the way out the door.“ You have a message from Frank,” she said. Eddie read the message and handed the phone back to Tanya. She read the brief message.“ Running the totals. Will see U Thurs. 9AM. Spend time with family. I am sure they miss U.” Thursday could not come soon enough for Eddie. Sitting in a chair across the desk from Frank, Eddie noticed he looked uncomfortable.“ We had a lot of expenses we won’ t incur next year. All the electronics, monitors, furniture, fixtures and security cameras are in place. We also have an inventory of shirts that is half yours. I may have over estimated the attendance somewhat. I did not want to run out of shirts. And of course taxes had to come out of this,” he said sliding the check across the desk, face down.“ I hope you are not disappointed,” he finished.“ How many shirts?” Eddie asked, and left the check on the desk.“ About a hundred thousand, or in other words about three hundred thousand dollars worth of inventory. Next year we should be able to call it much closer knowing how quickly we can get them printed and delivered.”“ We made some kind of profit otherwise there would not be a check sitting there. So it doesn’ t really matter how much. I have a hundred and fifty grand in inventory.” Eddie was thrilled. Frank nodded. Eddie picked up the check, blinked a couple of times and looked questioningly at Frank who was now smiling.“ This can’ t be right.”“ I know this month was Hell. I hope it was worth it,” Frank said.“ This check says one hundred and sixty-three thousand dollars,” Eddie said.“ After taxes,” Frank laughed.“ It is not a joke because you know I don’ t joke about money or family. I hope you take a nice vacation, you earned it. I would like you to present Rodney and Sam their checks at the meeting,” he said, sliding two envelopes across the desk. Eddie nodded and picked up the envelopes. They made their way to the meeting.“ You know my books are open to all the partners, so I hope you don’ t mind,” Frank said, opening the door to the conference room. There was a copy of Eddie’ s check on the big monitor.“ Show off,” Eddie said.“ I love being right,” Frank said. Rodney was the first to shake his hand and Sam was right behind him. Eddie almost forgot their checks. He handed Sam the envelope. She read the amount and smiled. Rodney folded the envelope and put it in his pocket. Eddie thought“ Always cool.”