Authors: Eric Pete,Carl Weber

The Family Business (5 page)

BOOK: The Family Business

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I’d been pacing around the dealership for the better part of an hour, contemplating the future of our business and family. Despite her protests, I’d finally sent Chippy home after all the children had gone their separate ways. I wanted her to ride home with Harris and London, but she’d complained so much that I relented, letting her stick around another half hour as I went over paperwork. She needed her rest, though. She’d been suffering from a bad cold that didn’t seem to want to go away, and it wouldn’t get any better with her staying out in the street with me till all hours of the night. It wasn’t like we were twenty-five anymore.

Besides, I needed time to think. I always thought best late at night, when I walked the showroom floor. No one but me could see it, but times were changing, perhaps for the worse, and it had nothing to do with me appointing Orlando to lead the family. What I was concerned about was the unknown competition I’d been hearing about through the grapevine, and the sudden tightening of shipments from our distributors. Someone was trying to muscle in on our territory and discredit us with our distributors. I couldn’t share what I had heard or felt with my family in front of Paris’s date, but it was important that we were all on the same page and that I flushed out our hidden enemy before the shit hit the fan.

“You’re doing the right thing, LC. Retirement’s the only way you can make sure this family survives. You’ve got to make them think the family’s weak, while you work from behind the scenes, like Vegas used to,” I spoke aloud to myself.

I chuckled. Listen to me. Heaven help me if I was turning into a paranoid old man. And heaven help everyone else if I was right and they came after my family or business, because paranoia and power are a dangerous combination.

“You talking to yourself, Pop?”

I looked up and saw Junior walking out of the service area. He was carrying a toolbox. “Yeah, son, I guess I am. Why are you still here?”

“I’m here because you’re here,” Junior replied calmly as he approached from across the darkened showroom floor. He began pacing the tiled floor around me, as if on guard for some unseen threat. Ever since he was little, Junior always thought he had to protect me. “Why didn’t you go home with Momma?”

“I needed to think,” I replied, adjusting the brim of my hat. “The silence does me good.”

I glanced at the dealer invoice on the passenger window of the 2006 Maybach, thinking back to how much I’d paid for my first used car. My younger self would’ve died on the spot ... or would’ve been thrown out from a place such as this. But time changes a lot of things. It makes some men wiser and others more foolish. I’d like to think I was one of the wiser ones.

My hand was still on the car window. I removed it, noticing the fingerprints left behind. Again, my mind went back to that younger man, to a time when my fingerprints were recorded by the NYPD for cause. I swore I would never be locked up again, and thank God I’d delivered on that promise and many more on my way to this point. I had to admit, it wasn’t easy as a black man trying to make it in America, but I’d made it with Chippy’s help.

“Sooo, any hard feelings that I didn’t pick you to run things? You are the eldest.” I was hoping he’d give me a truthful answer. Knowing where he stood would go a long way to helping me transition Orlando into leadership.

He shook his head. “Nah. Orlando’s the smart one. He’s a lot like you and Vegas.”

“You’re saying that as if you’re not smart. All my children are smart,” I said confidently.

“You know what I mean, Pops. O plans for things. When something goes wrong, he has a backup plan. Me, I’m not a planning guy. I’m good with my hands. I know that, and I’m all right with it.” I nodded my understanding. “Like Vegas always said, a man has got to know his limitations. I know mine.”

It made me feel good to know my son was comfortable with who he was. Junior was a good boy, a good son. He wasn’t as bright as the other boys, but he was a hundred times more loyal, and he cared about this family—perhaps even more than Chippy and myself. In many ways, he was the heart of our family, while Vegas was the soul.

“So you’re completely fine with this? No hard feelings at all?”

“None whatsoever, but—” His face became very serious and he folded his massive arms over his chest as he leaned back against the car. “I do have a question, and I’ll keep it just between you and me.”

“Of course. You can ask me anything.”

“Okay, well, I’m not knocking Orlando at all, but what I wanna know is, why didn’t you choose Vegas? If you wanted him home, all you’d have to do is pick up the damn phone.”

I sucked in a bit of air as I studied my oldest son. For the child who wasn’t supposed to be so bright, he’d asked a damn good question. Funny thing was, it was a question I’d asked myself a thousand times.

“I didn’t choose Vegas because he doesn’t need this.” My eyes traveled around the showroom. “Vegas can build an empire anytime he wants. He’s smarter than all of us.”

I took off my glasses and wiped my eyes. Vegas had been away almost three years, and I missed him dearly. Everyone who met him just seemed to love him. I never thought a child could teach a parent, but then there was Vegas. He’d taught me more about being a man and about sacrifice than anyone I’d ever met. “And to be honest with you, Junior, I don’t think he’s ready to come home yet.”

“You might be right.” Junior walked over and placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. “You really miss him, don’t you, Pop?”

I tried to clear the frog in my throat. “More than I’d miss my right arm if you cut it off. What about you, son? Do you miss him?”

“Of course I miss him. Vegas wasn’t just my brother. He was my best friend.”

A smile crept up on my face, and a laugh escaped. “I feel the same way. I feel the very same way.”

“You know, it’s gonna be strange not having you around here,” Junior said.

“Not half as strange as it’s gonna be for me.”

My son wrapped his arm around my shoulders as we walked toward my office. I stopped, turned around, and took a last look at the showroom. “I’ve spent the better part of my adult life putting this place together.”

“So why you leaving? You don’t have to go to Florida. O’s got everything here under control, and you and Momma can travel anytime you want. You guys can be snowbirds.”

“Well, son, it’s a little more complicated than you think, and there are a few things your mother and I haven’t told you kids.”

He clearly wanted to ask for more details, but our conversation was interrupted by a reggae-style ringtone. He glanced down at his phone, then raised his wrist to check his watch. “It’s my guys driving the truck with those Bentleys we won at auction. I told them to check in before they went to bed.”

“Go ahead and answer it. We’ll talk when you finish.” I stepped away from him, gathering my composure as he took the phone call. I can’t say I didn’t understand my kids’ confusion. This whole thing would have been a lot easier if Vegas were here. I wouldn’t have even had to make an announcement. Chippy and I could have just slipped off to Florida, because it would have been understood that Vegas was in charge.

My own cell phone began to vibrate. I smiled when I saw the overseas phone number. “Hello?”

“Mr. Duncan, this is Lee Sumyo. I’m sorry to call so late.” Lee handled most of our business in Japan and the Far East. He’d been my connection in Asia for almost twenty years.

“No problem, Lee. How you doing? We’re looking forward to that shipment you’re sending us next week. I have a customer who has prepaid for that fully loaded Lexus LFA you promised us.”

“Mr. Duncan, that is why I am calling.” I didn’t like the sound of that. “There is not going to be a shipment next week.” Suddenly my knees got weak.

“Excuse me? Lee, we’ve already paid for that shipment. I’ve got customers lined up. I’ve made commitments.”

“I know, Mr. Duncan. I am very sorry, and I can assure you your money will be returned via wire in the morning.”

“I don’t want my money back, Lee. I want my cars. I want that LFA.” I usually tried to handle Lee with a little more finesse, but this called for the direct approach. He needed to know how important that shipment was to my business.

“Mr. Duncan, there is nothing I can do. It is above my head.”

“Above your head? Was it above your head when we stopped dealing with Detroit and went with you exclusively back in ninety-one? I burned a lot of bridges to deal with you and your people, Lee. I expect some loyalty.”

“I know this, Mr. Duncan, but many things have changed since the tsunami and earthquake. I am truly sorry.” He sounded sincere in his apology, so I tried to calm down, but that didn’t mean I was willing to accept what he was telling me.

“Lee, I need that shipment. Without it I might as well go out of business.”

“I understand. Perhaps you can speak with another distributor.”

I could detect something in Lee’s tone, as if he already knew that speaking with another distributor would be useless. It was starting to feel like the rumors were true. Someone was trying to destroy my relationship with my overseas distributors.

“Lee, my friend, I must ask you a question.”

“Certainly. Please ask me anything.”

“Am I being blackballed? Is someone trying to take my franchise with you?”

There was hesitance on the line, and that gave me the answer I sought.

Finally, Lee admitted, “Mr. Duncan, I am not sure what is going on, but it is bigger than both of us, and they are using the tsunami and earthquake to their advantage. I was lucky to get you your last shipment. Things are very difficult here, and there is much bureaucracy and government intervention when it comes to your name. Someone is throwing a lot of money around. So, while I cannot say for sure, you may be right.”

“I thank you for your honesty, my friend. One more question. Who is throwing all this money around?”

“I am not sure, but the first place I would look is to your west.”

“Yes, I think you may be right.” I sighed. “Lee, it’s been a pleasure working with you. I hope this will not be the last time we do business.”

“Yes, I feel this way also. May I make a suggestion that may help you?”

“Please.”

“If I were you, Mr. Duncan, I would watch my back.”

I chuckled. “That may end up being the best advice you’ve given me in years.”

I hung up and turned toward Junior, who had just finished his call. “Junior, I need you to do something for me.”

London

I was putting Mariah to bed when I heard voices coming from the foyer, letting me know someone was home from the dealership. It definitely wasn’t Harris’s polished, deliberate male tones. Who knows where he’d run off to once we got home; probably somewhere to call that no-good home wrecker he didn’t want me to know about. Lord help her if I ever found out who she was, because the lady in me was going right out the window. I’d already proven once before that I’d do whatever it took to protect my marriage and keep my man, so doing it again would be that much easier.

What I didn’t understand was why these whores had to chase after married men instead of finding men of their own. Well, you know what they say: competition only makes you stronger. So, when my husband came to bed, I was going to remind him just why he married me. He needed to know that I could still be his lady in the streets and his freak in the sheets.

With that thought in mind, I kissed my slumbering baby’s forehead and went in search of whatever family members had just arrived home. When I approached the top of the stairs and looked down, I saw my mother taking off her coat. She was pale and didn’t look so good.

“You okay, Momma?”

She glanced up at me as she handed off her coat and gloves to Iris, our housekeeper. Although she smiled warmly, I could tell she was trying to hold back another coughing fit. She hadn’t been feeling very well the past few months, and I worried about her declining health. I was sure it had contributed to my father’s decision to move down to Florida. Our parents’ love for one another was an example to us all, especially me in my marriage to Harris.

“I’m fine. Just a little tired is all. It is rather late.”

“Where’s Daddy?” I was surprised she’d come home alone. If I had known, I would have insisted she ride home with Harris and me.

I didn’t expect Paris or Rio, or even Orlando, after Harris mentioned he’d canceled their meeting, but I figured my father would have at least accompanied my mother home. Then again, who knew? Maybe he and Orlando had stayed back at the office to strategize and discuss the transfer of power between them.

Oh, who was I fooling? If I knew my father and brother, this had probably been worked out months ago, and they’d been keeping the rest of us in the dark all along.
Dammit,
I scolded myself for even entertaining that thought. I hated it when I caught myself thinking like Harris, the king of conspiracy theories. Sometimes I wondered what made him so damn paranoid.

“You know your father. He’s still over there at the dealership,” she answered. “But don’t worry. Junior’s there with him. He’ll make sure he gets home safely.”

“What about Orlando? He over there too?” I was going to be so mad at my brother if she said yes. Harris had offered him an olive branch, and if he’d blown off my husband to sit in the office with Daddy, it would be such an insult.

“No, he said he had some business to take care of out on Long Island. You know that boy can’t stop working. I wish he’d find a woman and settle down.”

Momma gestured for me to come downstairs. I quickly descended the staircase and gave her a hug and a kiss. She hooked her arm into mine and guided me toward the living room, where we sat side by side on a love seat.

“Awfully quiet around here. Everybody asleep?” She looked around our unusually silent home.

“Mariah is. As you know, Rio and Paris won’t be home until the wee hours, if at all, but Harris is around here somewhere.” I gave my mother a somber look as I decided to defend my husband’s honor. “I don’t know if you or Daddy realized it, but your news stunned him tonight. I think his feelings are a little hurt.”

Momma gave me an “are you for real?” look. “His feelings are hurt? About what?”

“Well, to be honest, your announcement of Orlando being in charge was kind of a hard pill to swallow for a man who’s usually in the loop, y’know. You could have at least told us you planned on picking Orlando to run the business.”

My mother cut her eyes at me. There was something behind the look, but she quickly composed herself and held back whatever it was she’d been thinking. Instead, she took the diplomatic approach.

“Baby, I want both you and Harris to know we weren’t trying to hurt anyone’s feelings. You know how your father feels about your husband. We didn’t even tell Orlando about our decision until we announced it to you all. Why? Do you have any problems or doubts about his ability to lead?”

“No, no, I don’t have anything against Orlando. I think he’s a good choice, but, I mean, Harris does have a law degree, and he is Daddy’s right-hand man. I mean, you can make an argument—”

My mother cut me off quickly. “An argument for what? London, is this about Orlando being the right man for the job or the fact that Harris wasn’t chosen?”

“Both. I love my husband and my brother, but I just wanna make sure my husband got a fair shake. He’s a very bright man, Momma.”

“To be honest, we gave Harris considerable thought, but in the end we thought Orlando was the right one for the job. Truth is, he’s the only one of you, other than Vegas, who’s got the stomach to get his hands dirty—except maybe Paris, and she’s too young and impulsive right now to assume a true leadership position.”

“Too stupid is more like it,” I spat, rolling my eyes at the sideways compliment my mother gave my little sister.

Of course, my mother stared me down like I’d done something wrong. “Despite her impetuousness, Paris is the best at what she does for us, London. She never questions LC whenever he tells her to do something. She just gets it done. And she’ll continue to do that for Orlando once we’re gone.”

“Oh please, Momma. Only reason the little slut doesn’t question Daddy is because she’s afraid he’d cut her off.”

My mother slapped my leg like I was a child. “London, why do you hate her so much? The two of you are sisters. Why do you have to be at odds?”

“Humph. Ask her,” I replied snidely.

My mother’s expression hardened. “I have, and she tells me it’s nothing. I don’t believe her any more than I believe you. What the hell happened between you two?”

I shrugged. “Just leave it alone, Momma, please. It’s not worth it. Paris is just childish, and she doesn’t know how to keep her legs closed. You know that.”

“Maybe so, but she’s still your sister.”

“That was by design, not by choice. Believe me when I say it. Paris is going to tear this family apart one day. Mark my words. She just does not know how to avoid trouble.”

“She’ll grow out of it, baby.” She reached out and touched my face, looking at me with concern. “Speaking of marks, what happened here?” She gently massaged the place where Harris had slapped me.

“Nothing.” I pulled away from her.
Jesus Christ, please tell me Harris didn’t bruise my face.
If Daddy saw that mark and figured out that Harris had done it, he’d throw him out of the business or, worse, kill him with his bare hands.

“That ain’t nothing. You’ve got a bruise on your face,” my mother stated. “How did that get there?”

“Oh, that?” I touched it gently. “It’s nothing. Mariah kicked me when I was putting her to bed.”

My mother hesitated before speaking, staring at me as if she could read my thoughts. “Oh, really? Is that so?” I was sure she didn’t believe a word I said. It was time to get as far away from her as possible so I wouldn’t have to lie to her anymore.

“Y’know ... I think I’m going to find my husband. Good night, Momma.”

“Good night, London. I love you.”

“I love you too.” I could feel her eyes on me as I walked away.

BOOK: The Family Business

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