Chapter Fifty-Six
Joesph sat there staringat Jamie.“But...how?”
“Look around you,” Jamie motioned around the small apartment.“And you saw the condition of the diner.”
“Well, yes.But that still doesn’t explain how.”
“My grandfather was a very shrewd businessman, as it turns out.My grandparents never spent much money on anything.”Jamie pointed to the sofa.“That thing was bought second-hand, and it’s been here since I was a young teen.They only had that old truck.”Jamie took a deep breath.“You have to swear you won’t tell anyone.Please, just swear.”
“Okay.I swear.”Joesph leaned forward, both hands grasping his mug of coffee.
“When my grandparents took over the diner, which was more than fifty years ago, they had the option to buy the land around it.”Jamie closed his eyes for a moment.“I had no idea.I’m not sure many people did.”
“So, what you’re telling me is that they bought a lot of land and the land has that much value?If that is the case, then you’d have to sell the land, right?”
“No.My grandfather, being very smart, gave the semitruck mechanics, the ones next door, the right to build a garage, which they added onto when I was younger.He gave them reduced rent for ten years, but the rate went up after that.They only rent the land, and if they leave or fold, the building remains with the property.He did that with the truck wash and a few other smaller stores.They all have long leases, but if they move or go out of business, the buildings remain.They all pay rent every month.”
Joesph’s eyes were as big a saucers.“And they never spent that money?”
“I don’t think so.”Jamie rubbed both of his eyes with the heels of his hands.“They even set up an account for me, and I had no clue.I mean, they did pay some of my tuition for culinary school.”
“How much are we talking about here?”
Jamie let out a short laugh.“More than the credit union can insure.I had to open up two other accounts to bring the balance down on all the accounts they had.One for the renovations on the diner and another to send the staff on their vacation.”
“Holy shit!”Joesph was blinking rapidly as he consumed all that information.“And...there is more?I mean, it’s not like that isn’t enough, but...hellfire.”
“Yeah, there’s more.My grandfather set up a few other accounts with a financial advisor and an investing firm.”
“Aw, that makes sense now.And it’s with Payton Mason’s firm.I get it now.That’s why he came down here to talk to you.”Joesph’s jaw went slack for a moment.“Damn, that means, if he camehereto seeyou, it must involve alotof money.”
“Yes.A lot of money,” Jamie said softly.“I could retire and still have money left in the bank.”
“Holy smokes.”Joesph shook his head.“That’s...just unbelievable.”
“Tell me about it.”Jamie shook his head.“I didn’t even know about the money when I decided to move down here.It was more of...me wanting to save my grandparents’ legacy with the diner.I didn’t want to close it.”
“I can see that.It’s like a part of you.”
“It is.It was when I found out about the money that I decided to invest in the future of the diner.Do all the renovations, and why I called you.”
“And here I am not getting paid to do those renovations.”Joesph cocked an eyebrow.
Jamie had to laugh.“I had planned on paying you...privately.In cash so you didn’t have to share it.”
Joesph shrugged.“I didn’t ask you to do that, nor do I want you to.I did it out of my love for you, my best friend.”
“Now...what about you’re setting up shop here.I’ll be the backer.Maybe do a profit-share–type deal?”Jamie leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, smiling.
“I don’t know.I’d have to like...find a place, see about renovations if needed.And find a place to live.”
“How about just building something new?”Jamie leaned forward, resting his forearms on his laptop.“There’s plenty of land just down the road.You’d have good road frontage.”
“I think you’re crazy.”Joesph got up to refill his coffee, silently asking if Jamie wanted a refill.
