HOBO Chapter 14

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Michelle met with the contractor several times during the first two weeks of the year. She then went to an industrial kitchen equipment supplier to start trying to put a restaurant kitchen together. She started with three commercial gas ranges and one commercial deep fryer. Then looked at gas ovens and several commercial microwaves. She then looked at two fifteen by fifteen foot walk in coolers and several industrial dishwashers. As the two of us brainstormed the opening of the restaurant at night on the sofa, these numbers were really adding up. We had not even scratched the surface and we had accounted for two hundred thousand dollars.

About a month later, the contractor came in with a price of one hundred and forty thousand dollars to renovate the inside of the building. This included the portioning and erection of the kitchen, small office, the dining area, two employee restrooms and two large customer restrooms. All new sheetrock, paint, hardwood floors, lighting, electrical and plumbing with fixtures.

The extra kitchen equipment came to seventy-four thousand dollars with room to expand the kitchen as business grew. The kitchen was four thousand square feet with the rest of the building dedicated to the customers.

We then went online to find dining tables and chairs, dishes and silverware. Then Michelle met a graphic designer for the menu and restaurant logo. Michelle still had to secure knives, spoons, and smaller kitchen utensils as well.

As Michelle and I sat down to put the numbers together we realized that to get this thing started properly we were looking at around four hundred seventy five thousand dollars. We had to hire staff and have at least two months wages in reserve to pay them. Then the first food order was going to be huge. I could financially swing this, but I was going to be cutting it close.

I was in my office mid-week still staring at the notepad in front of me when Mary Stein popped into my office.

“How’s my money man ?”, Mary laughed.

“Mary, please come in. It’s so good to see you.”, I replied.

Mary walked in carrying a purse and an old leather briefcase. She sat down on one of the chairs facing my desk crossing her legs. She mentioned she had been upstairs to talk to Richard Butler about a matter and wanted to say hello before she left the building.

“Any progress on the restaurant ?, she asked.

“We have secured most of the cost to start it up. Came to a little more than I thought but we should start construction on the building in about two months.”, I replied.

“That’s exactly why I’m here. I just had a talk with Richard and I finally got through unpacking and throwing away stuff from the house that I took with me. Anyway, this was in my closet at the old house. I never even knew it was there, it was buried under a few blankets. I finally opened it about a month ago and I was shocked.”, she said, putting in on my desk.

“More paper work I have to deal with ?”, I replied, turning the case around and opening it.

As I raised the cover of the case, I simply couldn’t believe what was there. The entire case was overflowing with money. Stacks of one hundred dollar bills, twenty dollar bills and fifties all secured by rubber bands.

“Holy crap.”, I laughed.

“Tell me about it.”, Mary replied.

“Do you have any idea how much money is here ?”, I asked.

“Nope and I don’t care. Use that to help with the restaurant. I already bought my lawn care guy a brand-new truck and trailer with new lawn equipment. I have a maintenance guy who does odd jobs for me at my new job, I just bought him a truck and tools. I can’t deposit that much money because it will draw attention to me that I don’t need. You take that and pay cash for as much of the restaurant as you can.”, she stated.

“Mary, I can’t accept this…… you have already done too much for me as it is.”, I protested.

“Well, then you give it away, go to Vegas….whatever.”, she stated, walking out.

I know I sat there just staring at the money in that briefcase. I was never comfortable with people helping me, I was always proud that I managed on my own. I closed the briefcase and set in under my desk to the left of my legs. I quickly called upstairs to Richard Butler. Apparently, he was waiting for my call.

“Let me guess Tim, you refused the money.” Richard laughed.

“Yes, I did. But she walked out and told me to give it away if I don’t want it.”, I answered.

“Tim, don’t be a fool, take the money. She will die leaving millions to charity. Open your restaurant, give your lady her dream.”, he replied.

I went home that evening carrying more money than anyone could dream of having in their vehicle at one time. I went inside and went into the office where I always put my briefcase, pens, business card holder, wallet and watch. I also set the briefcase that Mary Stein had left with me on the desk as well. Michelle wasn’t home yet she had mentioned that she wanted to look at the design for the plates she thought of having made for the restaurant. I went to the master bedroom, changed into shorts and a t-shirt then went back to the living room. About thirty minutes later I heard the front door open and close. Michelle walked into the living room and over to where I was sitting, leaning over and passionately kissing me. This was a ritual with Michelle. Every time she kissed me, I knew it was real.

“Hey baby, how was your day ?”, she asked, heading to the kitchen.

“I know really don’t know how to answer that…..”, I replied.

She came back into the room with a glass of iced tea with a strange look on her face. She sat down next to me and grabbed my hand, something she always did as well.

“You don’t have an answer ?”, Michelle giggled.

“Not in my wildest dreams could I come up with an answer……”, I responded.

“You fucked my sister at work.”, Michelle giggled.

“Uh no….. better.”, I laughed.

“Hmmmmmm…… you got a raise ?”, she asked.

“Nope.”, I replied.

“Well fuck….. just tell me then.”, she giggled.

“Wait right here.”, I urged.

I got up and walked to the office, up to the desk and grabbed the briefcase then walking back into the living room.