by Bob Brown
Jason continued. “From the moment I became convinced that God had a plan for me, I knew He meant for me to purchase Jagged Edge. But it also became clear that He didn’t want me to run it.”
“What are you saying? What do you mean you’re not going to run it?”
“Merle, I want you to be the President of Jagged Edge Marketing.”
Merle was stunned. He sat speechless, staring at Jason. “You’ve got to be kidding,” he finally said. “I already have a job, one that I’m pretty good at.”
“Precisely,” replied Jason. “You’re a top-drawer Accounts Manager, you’ve got more years in the business and more credentials than I could earn in a lifetime of trying, and you know the advertising business in the San Diego region better than anyone I’ve ever met.”
“But don’t you think I’m a little old for a career change,” Merle asked stubbornly.
“Look, Merle. I think if you’re honest with yourself, you’ll admit that you outgrew your job at WADP years ago. I also suspect you’ve long harbored a desire to someday move into Bert Tyson’s job. But we both know that Bert’s going to hold onto that job until the day he dies, which may never happen, because he’s so stubborn he actually thinks of dying as a form of quitting.”
Merle chucked and just nodded.
“All kidding aside, Merle, this job is perfect for you. We’ve got a stable full of solid, contented customers. There’s a talented staff already in place. All that’s missing is someone with that rare combination of knowledge, experience, and integrity. That someone is you.”
“I must say I’m flattered. And intrigued. But if you’re not going to manage Jagged Edge, what are you planning to do? Surely you’re not going to sit out the rest of the game.” Merle knew that Jason liked baseball metaphors.
“Not hardly. As I said, God has a plan. I’m just a player, like everyone else. I know my position, but I still have to earn the right to play it.” Jason returned the favor with his own baseball metaphor.
Merle gave Jason a blank look. Clearly he didn’t understand. But that didn’t concern Jason, because he knew that in time all things would be clear.
“So what do you think?” Jason asked.
Merle thought for a minute. Then he asked, “What’s the job pay?” Merle was smiling.
“How about I start you at triple what you’re making now at WADP?”
“You don’t even know what I’m currently making.”
“You might be surprised,” Jason said, grinning broadly.
“Actually, I guess nothing about you should come as a surprise.” Merle just shook his head, resigned to the fact that Jason had done his homework.
“Seriously, I’m willing to pay you whatever you think is reasonable,” offered Jason. “This is a perfect fit. I want it for you almost more than I want it for me.”
Merle took a sip of the drink that had by now become mostly just water. He twirled the remnants around in the glass and seemed to weigh his options. When he spoke, it was with respect and gratitude.
“Jason, far be it for me to upset a plan that you are convinced comes from God. I accept your offer. Truth is, this is the opportunity of a lifetime for me. I’m truly grateful. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Merle. As I said, this is a perfect fit. You deserve this job, and I’m just thankful that God has presented me with the opportunity to offer it to you.” Jason held out his hand, and the two shook on the deal.
“There are just a couple of contingencies,” Jason added, again with a big smile.
“Now you tell me.”
Jason chuckled. “These are easy. First, even though you haven’t met the people at Jagged Edge, I have a couple of personnel changes in mind that I’d like you to consider. Of course, the final decision will remain yours, but I’d like to see Michael Adams promoted to the Director of Marketing and Tricia Scott moved into the position of Senior Accounts Manager.”
“Is that it?”
“There’s one more. When you leave WADP, I’d like you to consider giving both Tub and Susan a shot at your job, assuming one or both are interested. I suspect you eventually might have thought to do that anyway, but I just wanted to let you know I think the world of them. I know that either one would do a great job if given the opportunity.”
“Well, I obviously haven’t had as much time as you to think about all of this, but your suggestions seem to make sense to me. So I’ll certainly consider them.”
Jason ordered a fresh drink for his friend and another Pacifico for himself. As he raised his beer in a toast to Merle and his new job, Jason marveled at how easily the pieces fit when he was working according to God’s plan.
Chapter 65
Several days later, Jason made a difficult decision. If was difficult both because it was unpopular and because of what it represented. It was unpopular with Kyle, and it represented the beginning of the end.
Jason had decided to move in with Kyle. It was not an idea, or a proposal, or a passing thought. It was a decision. Kyle did not get a vote.
As Kyle’s condition continued to deteriorate, Jason knew that something had to be done. He talked about it with Karen and consulted with Dr. Neumann. The doctor in particular said that it was just a matter of time before Jason would need full-time home-care or require re-admission to the hospital. Kyle wasn’t willing to commit his friend to the care of a stranger or simply wait for the EMS techs to show up at the front door again.
Besides, Jason and Kyle still had a lot of work to do. There were organizational decisions, architectural plans, financing proposals, and legal documents to prepare. The work would give Kyle purpose and help keep him from worrying about the inevitable.
So Jason and Karen agreed that Jason would move into Kyle’s spare bedroom. That way he could be there if Kyle needed him, and the two could work whenever Kyle felt up to it. It would also free-up Jason’s condo so that Karen could move in, at least temporarily -- the lease was expiring on her apartment and she had yet to find someone to share the rent with her.
“It’s not necessary,” Kyle said when Jason presented the idea to him.
“I know you don’t think so now, but what about next week, or the week after? If I wait until you finally think you need me, things may have past the point where I could be of any help to you.”
“But I need my space,” Kyle protested.
“I promise not to peek at you in the shower or rearrange your underwear drawer.” This at least got a smile from Kyle.
“Look, Kyle. Please just do it for me. I want to be there for you, and I know you’d feel the same way if things were the other way around. I also think that you and I have a lot of decisions to make and details to work out for the Garrett Charitable Foundation and the Christian Center. This way I’ll just be across the living room whenever you feel up to getting some work done. No more worrying about making it to the office on time.”
Kyle knew he couldn’t win. He gave his friend a look of resignation and simply said, “OK.”
*****
The following morning, Jason packed a suitcase full of essentials and moved into the unoccupied bedroom, the one next to the room Kyle used as his office. As Jason unpacked, he couldn’t help but think back to that fateful day just a few short months ago when he had inadvertently stumbled on the computer display in the adjacent room. He had no way of knowing at the time how many lives would be changed by what he had seen.
“Good morning,” Kyle said about an hour later when he emerged from the shower. “I assume you snuck over in the middle of the night and just helped yourself to the best of my sheets and towels.”
Kyle still had his sense of humor.
“Nope. Got here this morning,” replied Jason. He was sitting at the kitchen table, reading the local paper.
“Well, now that you’re officially my nanny, does that mean you’ll be making my breakfast each morning?”
“That would be anothe
r ‘nope’.”
“It was worth a try.” Kyle went to the cupboard, pulled out a loaf of bread, and put a couple of slices in the toaster. Then he poured a cup of coffee.
“I’ve already talked to Gus this morning,” said Jason. “I told him that we’d be working from home today. He knows he can reach us on our cells if he needs us.”
“Sounds good. I’ve been giving some thought to the changes we need to work on and I’m anxious to get on with it. I realize we don’t have much time, and I’d hate for our plans to come apart because I died or became otherwise incompetent before the process was completed.”
Jason didn’t appreciate that Kyle had said it, but he knew his friend was right. Time was definitely a factor.
Dressed in shorts, T-shirts and flip-flops, the two friends finished breakfast, then cleared the surface that now doubled as their boardroom conference table. Jason unsnapped his briefcase, and Kyle retrieved a stack of folders from his home office. Setting the folders on the table, Kyle retrieved the coffee pot and refilled both cups. It was time to get down to business.
“The first thing I would like to do is execute a Power of Attorney,” said Kyle.
“For what?”
“For Garrett Motors. I want to grant you full power to act on my behalf in the event I become incapacitated, or worse. We need to make sure that whatever you and I decide to do will move forward, regardless whether I am around to see it happen.”
“Are you sure?” asked Jason. “Wouldn’t somebody like Gus be in a better position to make decisions on behalf of the dealership? He’s been in the business a lot longer than I have.”
“You’re forgetting that this is no longer just about Garrett Motors. The decisions I’m talking about have to do with the liquidation of the property, care of Garrett’s employees, architectural designs for the new Christian Center, construction contracts, and financing for new development. It’s about everything that’s included in the plan God has laid before you. It may be difficult, but I’ll contact my attorney today and get him working on a broad document that essentially names you as my successor-in-interest.”
Jason knew Kyle was right.
“Kyle, this may not be the best time to bring this up, because we have a huge amount of groundwork to do yet. But I have something to share with you. And I have a proposal I’d like you to consider.”
As Kyle sat listening intently and sipping his coffee, Jason told him of his selection of Merle as President of Jagged Edge. He also told Kyle that he believed God had something else in mind for him to do.
“And what would that be?” Kyle asked when Jason had finished.
“I’d like you to consider me for the position of Director of the new Garrett Christian Center.”
“Interesting,” Kyle managed.
“I realize that I probably don’t have the complete skill-set necessary to run a non-profit operation of this magnitude, but I’m a quick study, and I fully expect to surround myself with plenty of talent to keep me out of trouble. Besides, this is what I meant when I said that I am ready to answer God’s call. This is what I believe God is calling me to do.”
Kyle’s response was immediate. “I think it’s a great idea. Qualifications aside, I can’t think of anyone I would trust more to safeguard the integrity of the Garrett family name. I’d be honored if you would consider taking the position.”
“Thank you, Kyle. That means a lot.”
Kyle moved on. “We still need to consider how best to proceed with the Board of Directors at the Garrett Charitable Foundation.”
“What do you mean?” Jason asked.
“Well, I’m the President of the Board, but I don’t have unilateral decision-making authority. We still have to convince the Board that a change in the business model is in the best interests of the Foundation. For that, we’ll need to get my accountants involved in reviewing your numbers.”
Jason wasn’t worried. “I think they’ll find things pretty much as I explained them to you.”
“That’s good. But the Board will still require an accounting certification to validate the feasibility. Beyond that, there are additional issues to deal with,” replied Kyle.
“Like what?”
Like the Foundation Operating Agreement. Assuming we can get the Board to agree that the change in the business model makes sense, we still have to get them to vote for a change in the Operating Agreement so that all future funds will be directed to the Garrett Christian Center.”
Kyle made it sound like an impossible task. But Jason wasn’t discouraged.
“Look, Kyle. This is God’s plan. He’s in control. If He means for it to be, then it will be. It’s as simple as that. My guess is the Board will go along with whatever you recommend. After all, it is the Garrett Charitable Foundation. Your name is on it. Your family is the reason it even exists. I doubt seriously the decision will be contested.”
“I hope you’re right. In any case, I think we need to get everything together as quickly as possible and then call a special meeting of the Board. You need to present to them exactly what you presented to me. They need to hear about God’s plan. And they need to be convinced that the plan is a good one.”
“No problem,” replied Jason. “It is God’s plan, so you can be certain it’s a good one.”
Kyle made the necessary phone calls to his attorney and to his accountants. Then for the remainder of the day he and Jason concentrated on the details of the plan which Jason had outlined in Kyle’s office only a week earlier. Interrupted several times by Kyle’s need for rest, the efforts lasted well into the evening.
*****
At the end of the day, mentally exhausted and satisfied that they had laid a solid foundation, Jason and Kyle spent several hours in quiet conversation, reminiscing about a time in their lives when the future lay before them like an all-you-can eat buffet. Kyle appeared physically feeble, but he was alive in spirit and comfortably seated in his favorite chair as the two remembered fun times, old friends, and simple pleasures.
Then, just as the sun set, Kyle led Jason to the patio and shared a few more things, things Jason had hoped he would never have to hear. Somehow sensing the urgency, Kyle shared with Jason the final wishes he had for his life, his legacy, and for those he would leave behind.
Jason just politely listened, somehow sensing that the simple, quiet time being shared with his best friend would be the last such time they would ever spend together.
Chapter 66
It took almost a week for the lawyers and accountants to finish their work and for an emergency meeting with the Board of Directors of the Foundation to be scheduled.
Then just like that Kyle was in the hospital again. Jason took him after Kyle experienced a particularly restless night. He couldn’t breathe, his heart raced, and he complained about headaches and abdominal cramps.
Dr. Neumann ran some tests and pumped Kyle full of fluids via an IV hookup, but she saw no reason to keep him in the hospital. As she explained to Jason, there was nothing heroic to be done. As long as Kyle could be reasonably comfortable at home, Dr. Neumann encouraged Jason to keep him there.
As Jason drove away from the hospital with Kyle in the front seat beside him, Kyle simply said, “We’re running out of time, Jason.”
“I know, buddy,” Jason replied sadly. “We’ll get it done. God won’t let us down.”
Later, at Kyle’s urging, they met Karen for lunch at a small seafood restaurant overlooking the cove in La Jolla. Even though he didn’t feel up to eating, Kyle told Jason that he wanted to go to La Jolla. Jason knew Kyle loved the village, and he suspected his friend was trying to collect as many memories as he could, in the same way he used to collect sea shells in the cove as a young boy.
After lunch, Jason and Kyle returned to Kyle’s condo to catch up on the sleep they had missed the night before. As short as they were on time, they both knew that no good decisions would come from minds too s
leep-deprived for rational thinking.
*****
It was early evening when Jason awoke to the sound of the doorbell.
Still half asleep and dressed only in a pair of cut-off sweat pants and T-shirt, Jason shuffled toward the front door. As he slowly cracked the door open, he fully expected to be greeted by someone selling door-to-door something in violation of the rules governing the condo’s homeowner’s association. Jason was in for the surprise of his life.
“Hi, Jason,” said Sydney.
Jason pulled the door wide open. As he did so, Karen pushed her way in, planting a kiss square on his lips as she passed.
Closing the door, Jason turned to ask the obvious question. But before he could open his mouth, Sydney smothered him with a big hug and kissed him repeatedly on the cheek. She then began softly crying against his chest.
It was eerily similar to the scene Jason had witnessed between Sydney and Kyle just a few short months earlier in the baggage claim area at the San Diego airport. He wasn’t quite sure how to respond. So he just held on, allowing Sydney the time she needed to release her emotions.
When Sydney finally pulled away, Jason ripped a couple of sheets off the paper towel dispenser in the kitchen and handed them to her. As Sydney swiped at her tears, Jason gently guided the girls to the living room. The girls collapsed into the sofa, and Jason sat on the edge of Kyle’s recliner.
“Kyle’s still asleep,” said Jason. Looking at Sydney he added, “I know you’re anxious to see him, but he really needs his rest.”
“I understand,” replied Sydney. “Can I at least look in on him?”
“Of course.”
Sydney rose from the couch and approached Kyle’s bedroom door. Turning the knob, she opened the door just enough to look inside.
For several minutes, Sydney peered into the semi-darkness, listening lovingly to the gentle breathing and intermittent sounds of snoring coming from the form curled up on top of the bed. Satisfied, she silently pushed the door shut and returned to her seat on the couch.
“So, Jason, I suppose you’re wondering why I’m here,” Sydney said, as she re-settled on the couch. Her face was still streaked where the tears had run across her cheeks.