Chương 14: Book 1 - Chapter 13

Mattie and I eagerly got in the back of Grandpa's car to ride with them. As Grandpa Joe pulled the rental car out of our driveway and headed toward the highway, Mattie leaned forward between the front seats.

"Grandma, how did you and Grandpa get all the way here?" Mattie asked.

"Was it a big airplane?" Grandma Beth turned slightly in her seat to face us.

"It was, sweetie! We flew down from Chicago early this morning to Tulsa. Then we rented this car and drove straight to your school just in time for the ceremony."

"Are you going to stay with us at the hotel?" Mattie asked.

"The big one Mom said?"

"We are!" Grandma confirmed, her voice full of excitement.

"We checked in this morning. We got adjoining suites on the very top floor of the hotel—two bedrooms in each one, with big queen beds."

"Two bedrooms in each?" I asked.

"Can I stay with you guys?" Grandpa chuckled from the driver's seat.

"Well, you kids are going to get the royal treatment. You and Mattie will be taking turns sleeping either in our suite or with your folks," he paused and looked at Grandma.

"Mary was very happy to hear that she and Ray will have a private bedroom all to themselves for the week," he told her softly.

"Yay. No more school work!" Mattie happily cheered, leaning back against the seat.

"That's right, sweetheart," Grandpa confirmed.

"No work for anyone. We're going to relax and enjoy the Lake Eufaula view. It is spectacular."

"It's nice you rented a comfortable car," I added, looking at the smooth, large dashboard.

"But even Dad's big car isn't enough for everybody to ride together."

"We're only thirty minutes from the hotel," Grandma said, looking at the clock on the dash.

"Let me tell you all about your new baby cousin and your Aunt Joan." On arrival, the bellhops took our luggage from Dad's car up to the room.

"The view is absolutely spectacular," Mom murmured, walking straight to the large window overlooking the water.

"Look at the lake, Ray, all that sunshine!" Dad walked up beside her.

"The building is a half circle, I think every room must have a spectacular view." He looked around at the 1960's modern design.

"The decorating is a little old but the rooms feel open."

"I like the bold primary colors. Did you see the lobby lounge area when we went by? We can play board games as a family in the evenings next to the big fireplace down there," I suggested"And look down there," Grandpa added, pointing toward the ground level.

"There is a big swimming pool between the hotel and the lake." Grandma joined them.

"We should take advantage of this nice weather right away. The kids are going to be itching to get in the water."

"Can we go swimming now, Mom?" Mattie pleaded, already halfway to her suitcase. Mom smiled, turning from the window.

"You certainly can, Mattie. We checked—the pool is heated, so you and John can get your swimsuits on and go down and swim right away while we get properly settled in. Just don't forget your towels!" Grandma and Grandpa were already unpacked, so they took Mattie and I down to the pool to swim. Mattie and I played in the water for a while. The pool was warm, but eventually, the sun started to sink low, and we were called out.

We were wrapped in our towels and resting on lounge chairs when Mom appeared, looking absolutely transformed. She was showered, wearing a new dress I hadn't seen before, and her hair was styled perfectly. She looked elegant and entirely ready for a fancy night out.

"Alright, you two tadpoles," Mom announced, placing her hands on her hips.

"Time to stop wrinkling up in the water. Go up to the suite, shower, and get dressed for dinner. This is a special night, and we're going to the big dining room."

"Do we have to wear the uncomfortable dress clothes?" Mattie groaned, pouting slightly.

"Yes, you do," Mom said firmly but kindly.

"Collared shirts and slacks with belts for you, John. A nice dress for you, Mattie. We're celebrating, so we're dressing up for it." Twenty minutes later, we were all gathered waiting for the elevator. We looked like a real event: Mom in her dress, Dad in a blazer, Grandma Beth and Grandpa Joe looking polished, and Mattie and I were scrubbed clean of pool chlorine. She was back in the dress she wore to my graduation and I was in the black suit I had been wearing for it earlier, but without the jacket and tie.

We all piled into the elevator, Mom punching the button for the lobby.

"This must be a truly special night if we're all dressed up," Dad remarked, adjusting his cuff, and putting an arm around Mom.

"Mary, you are stunning."

"Thank you, Ray," Mom replied, leaning into him.

"I figured if we're going to be treated by Mom and Dad, we need to look the part. How many people does this dining room even hold?"

"About 250, I think," Grandpa answered as the elevator dinged and began its descent.

"It has a reputation for being the best food on the lake."

"I hope they have something good," Mattie whispered to Grandma.

"Don't worry, sweetie," Grandma Beth whispered back, winking.

"Your Grandpa said we can order anything we want tonight." I caught Grandpa's eye.

"That's a very generous offer, Grandpa." Grandpa just smiled enigmatically, his eyes twinkling.

"Tonight is about enjoying ourselves." The elevator doors opened onto the opulent lobby. The anticipation was palpable as we walked toward the elegant dining room. Grandpa repeated himself again as we sat for dinner, "This vacation is my treat. Don't worry about prices, just enjoy, and order what you want, I'm buying." The waitress arrived only a moment after we had been seated by the hostess.

"Would you like to start off with drinks?" she asked.

"We'll want a bottle of champagne for the table. What appetizers do you recommend? The kids look hungry after swimming," Grandpa said, taking charge. Dad looked surprised, having not entirely believed Grandpa's offer to order anything but he quickly added, "I think they'll like the potato skins." Grandma, who was sitting between my sister and me, pointed at items on her menu for us both.

"I want a Roy Rogers!" I said following her suggestion.

"I want a Shirley Temple!" Mattie added, doing the same. After she served the drinks, the waitress asked, "So are we decided on dinner?" Grandpa again went first.

"I'll have the Lobster and Steak."

"I'll have the surf and turf also," Dad agreed. Mom ordered next.

"I'm wanting to try the Chicken Marbella."

"I almost ordered that, but I'm going to go with the Coq au Vin. Maybe we can try each others dishes, Mary," Grandma said. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Mom nodded in agreement.

"Mattie, do you know what you want?" She pointed at the big picture on the children's menu.

"Pancakes!" Mom nodded at the waitress to confirm that it was okay. If Mattie wanted pancakes, she was going to get pancakes. She looked at me, as I was last to order. I smiled.

"Prime rib with steak fries instead of the baked potato for me." Despite the celebratory mood, Mom and Dad were beginning to really wonder what was going on with her parents. But, every time the subject started to come up one of the grandparents would simply say, "After dinner, in our room." Eventually we ordered dessert to go. We carried them to the elevator and up to our top floor suites. Gathered around the table in the Grandparents' suite they told the story.

"Your mother decided to play the lottery in Illinois," Grandpa began.

"And I won! 3. 8 million dollars!" Grandma shrieked. The room went silent. Grandpa smiled at my parents stunned look.

"We will lose about 1. 3 of that to taxes but otherwise everything this trip is on us!" Mom cursed. Again the room went silent. Mom doesn't curse—or at least if she does no one ever hears it. Dad just laughed when Mom cursed. Mattie spoke up from the small dining table where she was eating her banana split, she knew a million was a lot, "I need a new doll house!" Everyone laughed at that. Sitting next to her I just ate my dessert and watched.

There was nothing important enough to take me away from my brownie fudge sundae. Mom stood angrily at embarrassment of her language slip and Dad's laughter. She moved to the kitchenette to make coffee. Dad just laughed more. Eventually things settled down with Mom and Dad on one couch, and Grandma and Grandpa on another. Questions needed to be asked and answered.

"So, when will you actually get the check?" Mom asked, setting down her cup.

"In a couple weeks," Grandpa answered.

"What do you plan to do with it all, Joe?" Dad asked.

"Houses and Hotels," Grandpa replied with a theatrical gesture.

"Like Monopoly!" Grandma added, clapping her hands.

"Will you move, Mother?" Mom asked, suddenly serious.

"Yes, closer to all the grandkids," Grandma confirmed.

"Is this just a joke?" Mom asked, still sounding doubtful.

"No, Mary, it's very real," Grandma answered gently.

"Speaking of real," Grandpa began, turning his attention to me.

"This grandson of mine is pretty special. I heard something about a scholarship?"

"TU, University of Tulsa, offered to pay for every class, every meal, every book, every pen and pencil, plus housing and transportation for the next four years," I told him.

"Wow!" Grandpa gasped.

"When each of our grandchildren were born, we put money in an investment account for their college. Yours has about fifteen thousand, but I was expecting it to grow for another nine years." He leaned forward, his expression earnest.

"I've got a few ideas, but the most basic is this: If you guys pick a house in the Tulsa area, we'll buy it. You can live in it rent free for the duration of John's schooling there. Then, when you're done, I'll sell it." Grandpa gave Dad a reassuring look.

"That way, you guys don't lose that place you've got already. It's a beautiful farmhouse, and I know how much work you've put into it."

"That's very generous, Joe, but we are still talking things over," Dad said cautiously.

"We really need to talk with a lawyer to make sure that there are no hidden traps in the school's scholarship offer." Grandpa smiled, happy to have an immediate solution.

"Well, that I can help with. I just retained one of the best law firms in the country. They're in Tulsa, and we are planning on staying here for a few days before flying back home to California. We may need to change our legal residence before that check clears, and they're going to help us figure it out." Eventually the coffee and desert was gone. The party broke up and I went with Mom and Dad back to our suite.

"Johnny, you get to stay in your grandparents' suite tonight, so you have your own room. Change into your bed clothes and get your toothbrush," Mom instructed. I knocked on their suite door, and Grandma opened it. They sat down at the dining table and I joined them.

"Okay John, tell us about the letter," Grandpa asked, his voice low with curiosity.

"I wrote you guys because I knew what was going to happen," I told him plainly.

"How? I mean, is it still happening or was it a one time thing?"

"The how doesn't matter, Grandpa. What matters is that I know the future. Tomorrow and every day after that. I won't ever explain how or how much of the future I know." I leaned in, delivering the facts directly.

"Grandpa, on October 8th 1997, you're going to die painfully of cancer unless you follow my specific instructions at some date prior to that. Grandma, you will survive several bouts of breast cancer until you die of old age in 2024. You'll be 99 years old." Grandpa gasped the color draining from his face.

"How!" I calmly cut him off as he started to recite in Hebrew.

"You last said that prayer when you were 23 years old, Grandpa. You swore you would never say another prayer again. Don't break that promise on my account." I explained to a confused Grandma.

"June 9th 1941, Grandpa learned about the horrors of the Holocaust and the death of all his mother's extended family in Germany. He swore he would never again pray to a God that would let his people be killed like animals." She set a delicate hand on his, as I turned back to him.

"Grandpa, listen carefully. My abilities are mine. They are not gifts given to me by some other power, God or Devil. I know things. Great things, tiny things. Things of power, terror, mercy and peace. I will tell you things, ask you to do things. Please trust me and do as I ask. It will give you a long and happy life." I looked at the toothbrush and toothpaste still in my hands, and shook my head, it had been a really long day.

"My IQ is off the charts. Even the best test they can ever give me will only tell them I'm smarter than their test. As evidence, I offer a 3. 8 million dollar lottery win and a graduation from high school at age seven." I set the toothpaste and toothbrush carefully down on the table, so it stayed bristles up.

"I'm eight years old in July. I'll either inherit control at age 21 or I'll take over after your unnecessary death from cancer in 1997. Will you be my agent until that day comes?" Grandpa slowly recovered, his eyes wide with wonder.

"Yes! You have shown me a glimpse of the Divine and I will follow where you direct."

"What about you, Grandma? It is your money after all."

"I've always wanted to live in a house by Frank Lloyd Wright," Grandma said, a flicker of a smile appearing.

"Do that for me and I'll do anything you ask. As far as I'm concerned, you mailed me a dollar with the lottery ticket number, the money is yours." Grandpa turned to her, momentarily forgetting the magnitude of the moment.

"Ha! You didn't tell me that! No wonder you didn't let me read the letter! I would have insisted the kid have the money." I pulled a typewritten paper from my pajama pants pocket and handed it to Grandpa. It was a list of items to take care of.

"We have a lot to cover, so let's get to work on the money."

"There are three options the lawyers will give you for the money. Do the recommended trust as specified on that sheet. We need the legal entity set up immediately.

"There is a company in Nebraska, they are the second item on the list. They are a hotel training and management company. The owner wants to retire, and the second in command, Megan Stoop, can't buy him out. She's fantastic at people management but she couldn't budget cat food. Offer the owner an 80% buyout and offer Megan a buy in of 20%. You'll retain 60%, a controlling share. She will be fiercely loyal as a part owner. I'll give you the name of the guy to hire to run the business side later.

"The houses and hotel plan you told my Dad is ideal. Your first hotel will be The Mayo in Tulsa. With your lawyer's help, you will make a cash offer of $151, 500. The current owners will accept. It is going to be a massive restoration project, but my Dad will handle that.

"When he offers a buy in on the hotel, accept and make him Vice President of Holdings. All repair, upgrades, restorations and maintenance will fall under him. His buy in will fund the restoration of the family residence floor. He'll also be very good at watching over all the other properties you'll end up with.

"The 1982 economic crash hurt Tulsa badly. It is not recovered and won't be for a decade. But banks will loan again, and prices remain at all time bargains. Tulsa will be moving away from an oil based economy, and we will assist and profit.

"I'm going to want that fifteen thousand dollar college fund for mad science money and half your lottery win divided into these six stocks. We will borrow against those stocks. I will move these funds between investments over time. Never use this fund to buy a stock I haven't selected. Even a bad year will triple its worth. A good year we will grow it by a factor of 20.

"This will be my special project nest egg. When I start to use this money, it's going to grow by a factor of a thousand or more in a single year. Keep that in mind: every million in that fund will become a billion dollars.

"The other half of your winnings will be for immediate acquisitions. There is the name of a neighborhood in California near you. They are building new houses. You're going to buy 10 to be built, and purchase every one that comes up for sale within five miles of that area. In three years you will be able to sell two of them and pay off the mortgage on eight with the profits." I gave Grandma a piece of paper. It had a black and white photocopy of a page from an architectural magazine.

"This house comes up for sale in two years. This is your Frank Lloyd Wright original. It'll need work, but you will love it. I promise."

"Oh my it's beautiful. Where is it?" she asked.

"It's a surprise," I told her. Grandpa was now intensely focused on the list.

"Finally," I continued, "if anyone asks, you have a gifted financial advisor in California. I am never the source of your trading, acquisitions or success. You don't give this advisor's name because his advice is by invitation only." I took a pause, and looked them both in the eyes.

"Do we have an agreement?"

"Yes!" came from them both.

"Fantastic! We are family, we will hug on it not shake. Then I need to go to bed. It's not a school night, but it is very late and I've been working rather hard these last few weeks. I need to sleep," I finished.