Date: Sat, 13 Jun 2020 04:16:57 +0000 (UTC)
From: John Gerald <connectwriter@yahoo.com>
Subject: Mickey 31

"He's so cute!" Mickey said, referring to his namesake nephew. Sinking into
the bed next to Drew, their shoulders touched as they often did before one
or the other of them kissed the other then rolled over to sleep.

"And I like Nate's idea of visiting at least twice a year," he continued.
"I don't know how we'll cart an entire family to Hawaii every year, I mean,
how will even be able to afford it? But I'm sure we'll figure it
out. That's more important than a fancy car or nice clothes."

Drew heard him swallow. As happy as they were for the new addition to the
family, as well as the return of Drew's dad, the latter was already having
a major impact on their lives.

"Where is this going to take us?" Mickey asked.

"I'm looking forward to getting to know your dad better," he continued,
"but this whole thing with the business...it's going to change our lives. I
like where we are now and where we're going. This, this...I don't know..."

"That's what I've been thinking. We've got a pretty good life right now - a
growing family, a good job for you, nice neighbors who we like," Drew
replied. "You come home every day and we have dinner together as a
family. That's kind of how we thought we'd live for the next few years, you
know? I don't want give that up, at least not for very long."

"Agreed," Mickey replied softly as their legs touched.  "You know, the
business stuff itself is kind of intriguing and will be an interesting
challenge, if it doesn't turn into a fiasco," he added, half-joking, but
also half serious. "But I guess we need to learn a lot more before we
actually dive into this thing."

"Yup," Drew replied, his hand reaching over and tugging on the bottom of
Mickey's shirt, pulling it up and exposing his taut stomach in the faint
moonlight coming through the window. "But until then, I've got something
else I want to get into..."

						***

Each of the next few days Mr. Patterson returned to their living room at
the same time, with every meeting revealing more and more of the sorry
state of his crumbling empire. He knew that the guys needed time to absorb
what he was saying, not that there was a lot of that to spare – in their
current state of either exploitation or neglect, it seemed like many of the
businesses were unraveling quickly. One of them had a major layoff that was
in the news, another stressed company was selling prized assets at what
were widely thought to be at fire-sale prices. But besides wanting and
needing their help in salvaging the business, he was intent re-starting his
relationship with the guys as honestly as he could.

For the guys' part, it was one thing to have the family reconciliation –
Drew was especially encouraged by Mickey's rapidly warming attitude toward
his father - but the idea of getting involved in the business was another
matter.  Drew knew the sacrifices and efforts that his dad had made to be a
success - like the time away from home and the anxious moments that he
could often read in his dad's face - and he didn't want that burden on
Mickey. Drew was sure that Mickey could do it – unlike Mickey himself
– but was it worth all the turmoil and pressure?

He knew in his heart-of-hearts that they really didn't need to be involved
at all. His dad wouldn't make his reconciliation contingent on anything
like that, and Mickey was making a salary that was good enough for their
relatively simple lifestyle.  But if they did do it, for his dad, and,
perhaps for the chance of some future financial security for their own
growing family, it would be one of the most fateful decisions of their
lives.

"So, what do you think now?" Drew asked as he pulled the covers over them
only a few hours after his father had left.

Like he often did when he had a stressful day, Mickey leaned his head into
Drew's shoulder. "The job seems to get bigger and bigger each time we
talk," he responded, then nudged his head into Drew's neck.  "I have to
admit that with all of my initial misgivings there really is a bit of
adventure to it too. But that's drying up fast. It's just going to be a ton
of work. I can't barely get my arms around it right now, yet I know that
there is a lot more out there," he said, then pushed himself up against the
headboard and turned to Drew.

"What do you think? Should we do it?" he asked back.

"I believe it's up to you, babe," Drew answered after hesitating for only a
moment.  "To be honest, I think that most of the burden will be yours. It
won't be long before we'll have three kids in this house and they'll need
full-time attention. I'll be there whenever you need me, of course," he
added, reaching down and squeezing Mickey's firm thigh, then gently pulling
on a hair. "But you'll need to lead this."

"But the more I learn, the more I feel that I have no idea what to do. I
really don't."

"Well, my Dad might say that being honest with yourself is the first step
to learning. And for his part, he feels like he just doesn't have the
strength for this kind of battle anymore, but he sees it in you. For him to
say that means something."

Drew reached down and again squeezed Mickey's leg as Mickey slumped back
down, and they rested there against each other in silence.

Suddenly, Mickey pushed himself back up against his pillow, rocking the
bed, and then turned toward Drew.

"Like I said, I have no idea what I'm doing but whatever I do I have to do
it my way. Brad has taught me a lot of things and one of them really makes
sense right now. He said that the only way that you could be dedicated to
something and be really successful at it is that you had to be
yourself. And you know, that's true here, too"

"That's a good way of putting it," Drew answered turning toward Mickey.
"You're on the right track."

"And the only way to have it my way is to have my team, even if they aren't
experienced. Like your Dad said, he'd provide the experience," Mickey said,
with a new gusto and enthusiasm

It was silent for a moment before Drew heard him swallow deeply before
sighing.

"I guess I can say that in some brave way and sound cool, but the fact of
the matter is that failure means that some people will lose money, tons of
it, and a lot of people could...no, will... lose their jobs. That's going
to affect a lot of families and their kids, and that's what really scares
me," he said, slumping back down slightly into the bed.

"There are a lot of people depending on us. Do you really think that we can
do it?" Mickey asked. "You know, I guess that we can get our own team and
all that. But what really matters is if we can pull this off. There are so
many people counting on us and they don't care about anything but their
jobs and providing for their families."

Drew reached over and stroked his face, the rough scars a tactile reminder
of who he was. "There isn't a choice, babe. With the situation that we got,
there is no one but you and me, but really you, who has any hope of pulling
this off.  We just have to do the best that we can." Then he pulled
Mickey's head closer and kissed him.

It was again silent for a moment, not a sound from anywhere.  There wasn't
even stirring from the kids' room, which made it extra calm.

"You know, I think that one of the things that pushed my dad over the edge
was worrying about money. He could never hold a job for very long. It
wasn't a situation where there weren't jobs - it was him. But that doesn't
mean the he didn't care. He did worry, and I think that maybe the stress
was just another pressure point in his life," Mickey said softly.

"I hope that we don't do that to anyone else," he added, as Drew again
pulled his head close.

"You know," he stared, slipping farther back down the pillow and again
lying next to Drew, "the part of this that I'm going to hate the most is
being away from you and the kids. I want to settle this as soon as
possible. Your Dad said it might take years and..." - he paused, his mouth
now feeling dry - "...so be it. But I really don't want to miss the kids
growing up."

Drew could sense a tear in the darkness and wrapped his arm around Mickey,
pulling him tightly up against his shoulder.

"I promise I won't let that happen," he said as he kissed him on the head.

						***

Bik, Robert and Marty didn't really know what to expect when Drew and
Mickey had invited them over for what they called a `business chat.'  The
two brothers and their brother-in-law had formed their small business
consulting firm a few years back, but business was rarely a part of the
regular conversation with Drew and Mickey.  Since they all lived so close
and had grown to be so much a part of each other's lives the usual topics
of discussion were family, home improvement projects, the neighborhoods,
the weather.

`Maybe Drew and Mickey had some financial problem and wanted some advice?'
None of them knew.

As usual, they just knocked and opened the door, not waiting for anyone to
let them in. Drew was putting out some sodas and bottles of water in the
kitchen as Mickey was placing cheese and crackers on a large china plate
when the Kovar brothers and Marty all came in.

"Where are the kids?" Marty asked as he reached for a soda.

"Napping, at least, I hope. Their Nana is upstairs with them on guard duty
tonight so that we all can talk."

"Peter could appreciate that," Marty replied, smiling.

"So could Laura," Bik added. "Throw in Robert's kids and we'll get a
package deal," he continued, to laughter around the room.

As they were all milling around the plates of food, Mickey mentioned
Mr. Patterson's visit, which was a surprise to all of them. When he
explained that it looked like they were on the way to a reconciliation,
they all turned to congratulate Mickey and Drew.

"Wow, you must be relieved!" Marty said as he hugged Mickey.

"Not nearly as much as Drew," he replied, nodding at his partner who was
shaking hands with Bik.  "I wasn't sure why you had us over, but this
really is quite an event. I can't wait to tell Peter," Marty
answered. "He'll be really happy for you, too. Thanks for telling us!"

After the exchange, Drew turned to them all as then were now propped up
against countertop, drinking and snacking.  "Thanks a lot for the support
even before this, you guys. We both really appreciated it.  And, of course,
we wanted you all to know. But there's actually another reason that we
wanted you all to come over."

Mickey looked at Drew, who nodded his head and looked back. "Let's go into
the living room," he said.

After they had all taken seats, Drew began what he thought of as his
`speech.'

"As you've probably seen in the papers, my dad's so-called `empire' has
really suffered in the past few years. There are lots of reasons. My dad
was distracted, by, I guess, the obvious," he said, glancing at Mickey,
"But he also got some really bad advice and isn't surrounded by a lot of
people who are looking out for his best interests."

"It's no secret who that is," interjected Bik. "Gosh, I never wanted to
mention it, but I had a business school friend in New York who used to tell
me about your stepbrothers and their lavish lifestyles, support by your
Dad's money. It almost seemed criminal what they did."

"It probably was," Drew replied, sadly.

Drew then explained how his dad was going to get a divorce and was trying
to put his life on a new path.

"I'm sure that's tough as his age," Robert replied. "But I'm sure it will
help that you're back in his life," he continued.

"I think it will, too," Drew answered.  "But to get to the heart of the
matter, he's also asked us, but really Mickey, to work with
him. Specifically, he wants his help to rescue what he can of his companies
and get the business back in order."

"Boy, that will be a job!"  Marty replied.

"For sure," Bik added, surprisingly calm. "But, you know, it's an
opportunity, too. You really could turn those companies around. It would
take a lot of work - you'll have to throw yourselves into it. But it's a
great business with some terrific assets. With the right approach, I think
that you both could do it."

"I'm glad that you think that, Bik," Mickey replied. "Because that's why we
asked you guys to come over here today."

The visitors looked at each other, somewhat confused. Then Bik said, "You
know, you could always bounce ideas off of us. We'd be glad to help. But
I'm not sure what else we could do for you."

"Mr. Patterson keeps saying that even though we're young, that he trusts us
and that he can provide the experience that, of course, we lack."

"But we need help. Neither of us is an accountant or business people, but
you guys are, and we trust you," Mickey responded, his face turning and
looking successively at each the three guys in front of him.  "I've
interacted with all of you at work, where the firm has pulled you into a
couple deals. You guys are all really good. And we trust you."

"But a lot of that was my Dad, Mickey, I have to admit..." Bik interjected.

"But all the other partners respect you for what you do and not just
because of your Dad. Look at how many deals you've advised on where your
Dad isn't involved? Everyone who has worked with you guys wants to do it
again because you're good at what you do and they trust you. And so do we.'

"I've worked at an international accounting firm, Mickey," Bik
replied. "But none of us has this kind of experience. While it's enticing,
none of us has this kind of experience in turning around companies of this
size and, frankly, with these kinds of problems."

"Well, I see the talent in you guys, and, as Drew's dad says, he can
provide the experience. I told him that one condition of us doing this is
that we choose our team. And we choose to work with the three of you."

The room was quiet for a few minutes. The three of them looked at each
other.

"Gosh, I don't know what to say," Marty started. "First of all, thanks for
thinking of us. I mean, just that gesture is nice. But this would be a
total...change."

"It would be," Drew responded. "You'd have to be in it 100%. We'd take all
of your time, and you might have to close your business, or at least put it
on hold. But, if this is successful, we see you all taking over and
managing these companies, at least of the places that we don't have to
close or sell-off."

"And I should also mention, Brad will be one of our outside counsels. I
have to leave the firm, of course, but I really want his advice. So, if I
can't bill for the firm, I guess I can make money for them some other way,"
he said, smiling.

"But I want to do something for them, too," he added, clasping his hands
together. "They took a chance on me, and I owe them a lot for that. I
really learned a ton there, especially from Brad. So, we can still support
each other."

They talked on for several hours, about the potential rewards, but also the
risks, including that the possibility that, in the end there may be no
significant assets to manage. As Drew and Mickey concluded their `pitch',
the three partners looked at each other, communicating without words.

"I think that I can speak for us all," Bik replied.  "We need to look at
our current partnership and see where it's going. As you all know, even
with all the high recommendations and some nice clients, there isn't a lot
of money around here to support our kind of business. There just isn't the
mass here. But, more importantly, we need to ask our families. Marty and
Peter have another baby on the way, as does Robert. And, as you know, Laura
and I are thinking of another kid, too. So, it's a family decision."

After further discussion, Robert added. "Let us talk to our families and
discuss how we could move forward. I know that there is a short fuse, so
we'll get back to you..." he said, looking at his partners.

"Give us two days," Marty replied. "Peter and I can decide then, and I
think we all could. Agreed?" he asked looking at his brothers-in-law.

"Agreed," they both responded in unison.

Over the next week, Mickey and Drew assembled their team. With his old firm
as local counsel, and Bik, Robert and Marty as his financial team, he
needed to round it out with people in New York, where the main company was
headquartered and where many of the battles would take place. Even though
Mr. Patterson had given Mickey the names of his contacts, he followed his
own path and would only work with people that he knew and trusted.

He contacted his moot court teammates Maryam and Parker as his eyes and
ears on the East Coast. Like him, Maryam was doing well in her firm, but
she was up for the risk of Mickey's proposal. While she didn't have the
strong emotional attachment to her firm that Mickey did to his, she
respected the intense culture of the place and, like Mickey, proposed to
use them as another outside counsel.

His friend Parker was a harder sell.

"Are you sure you...want me?" he asked, with his slight stutter. "I mean,
it's great that you're asking and all, but, um... I must admit, I don't
think that anyone considers me a star where I'm at now. In fact, I wouldn't
be surprised if they let me go. They seem to like my ideas, but when I get
in front of a partner or client, well...you know..." he trailed off.

"Parker, I know what you can do. Maybe you're not the best when you're on
the stage, but you are the best when we're backstage, coming up with plans
and ideas and strategies. I have no doubt that you'll do great. So please
consider this."

It didn't take long for Mickey to get a yes.


						***


"I understand that you want your own team, Mickey," Mr Patterson said
across the dining room table, papers and folders practically filling it
from end to end. "But I'm just little concerned about the experience level
of the team you want. I know that I told you that I could provide the
experience, but..."

"I know that it's not a conventional group and I can assure you that it
isn't being done to be contrarian or flip, but if I'm going to do this I
have to do it my way and with people I trust."

"Would you be OK if I spoke with, um... I think his name is Bik? He's the
president of the company that you want to use, right?"

"I don't' think that would be a problem. He lives right behind us."

"He's a neighbor?!"  Mr Patterson asked, his eyes wide

"He's a business man that I trust. He's the son of the lawyer who hired me
and both Drew and I would trust him with anything.

Shaking his head, Mr Patterson asked, "Could I still speak with him?"

Mickey was not going to be dissuaded from hiring the team he wanted but he
was even more anxious about what was turning into his first test of wills
with Mr Patterson. He couldn't lose it.

After a quick phone call, it didn't take long for Bik to come over and take
a seat at the table with Mickey and Mr. Patterson.

"What the hell do you know about business?!" Mr. Patterson growled,
launching an attack that took Mickey by surprise. He was about to object to
the tone and aggressiveness of the question, but Bik subtly waved him off.

Without giving him time to answer, Mr Patterson barked another question at
Bik. "What would you do if you had $50 million dollars coming due on a bond
loan and you didn't have the cash to pay it!?"

With poise and confidence, Bik directly returned each volley of questions.
He was cool and calm but direct and never backed down. Even when
Mr. Patterson was clearly trying to provoke him, he didn't shout back or
make it an emotional confrontation. The barrage of questions only slightly
lightened up when Drew came downstairs and told his Dad that the kids were
sleeping.

After almost an hour, Mr. Patterson sat back in his chair and turned to
Mickey.

"Did that shock you?" he asked.

"Well, a little bit. I have to say that I didn't expect the tone," Mickey
answered.

"These are just questions across a dining room table," he said, then turned
toward Bik.

"The real thing will be different, as I think you know, Bik. But you've
obviously been here before, so you need to really help and prepare him," he
said, nodding toward Mickey.

He then turned in his chair to directly face his son-in-law. "You know
Mickey, if you think that I sound nasty, it's going to be 10 times worse in
these meetings. These people are owed money or buildings or land or
whatever and they are out for blood. There will be no mercy and you need to
be prepared. I think you can be, but it's not a mock trial or an
exercise. It's real life and everything's at stake."

"Your right, Steve," Bik said, the first person Mickey had heard address
Mr. Patterson by this first name.

Turning the tables on him, Bik continued.  "And the first step in doing
this is that we need know everything about these companies, and I mean
everything. Robert, Marty and I need to see the books on every asset,
including taxes, annual reports, all of it for at least the last five
years." He then seemed to use a lot of accounting and business jargon that
Mickey didn't understand, but that Mr. Patterson clearly did as he shook
his head in assent to each one.

"There's no way to advise Mickey and yourself on a strategy if we don't
know where the bodies are buried. And we cannot be surprised by the
opposition knowing things that we don't' know about," Bik continued.

Mr. Patterson sighed, and suddenly lost some of his zeal and ardor. "Of
course, I'd expect you to do that. And I guess that this will get to the
heart of the matter," he replied, running his fingers through his thick,
gray hair.

"What do you mean by that," Mickey asked.

He couldn't look at either of them. "I'm...um... ashamed of what has
happened on my watch," he replied.

"But you just did the right thing, Bik, you went for the jugular. I have no
doubt that you and your team will see what kind of a disaster has
happened. There's no way to hide it. But it's all out there, I'll get your
team access to everything you need. And then you can then help Mickey to
figure out what to do."

						***

If before, Mickey only imagined the pressure and tension, he was starting
to actually feel it now.

"Wow, I never heard anyone drill my dad like Bik did," Drew said as pulled
open the covers and got into bed with Mickey."

"Yeah, I know. Gosh, I'm really glad that we've got Bik and those
guys. There's no way we could do this stuff without them."

"Agreed," Drew answered as he slid closer to Mickey, their hips touching as
he put his arm around Mickey.

"By the way, one thing I wanted to mention," he said, pulling Mickey closer
and looking directly at his face. "If I ever think that this is too much
for you, or somehow this is hurting you or the kids, I'm going to put a
stop to it, OK?  I know this will be tough, and there might be some rewards
in the end, but if the price is too high, I won't hesitate to end this
thing."

They always discussed decisions together, but when Drew got dictatorial
like this, he didn't get resentful or offended. Like the time he got food
poisoning and Drew ordered him around, he knew that was from care and
concern and worry and nothing about ego. As the gravity of the situation
really hit after the meeting with Bik and Mr. Patterson, the words were
actually pretty welcome.