It really drove home that we were at such different points in our lives. He was young, successful, and in the beginning throes of parenthood. I was nearing retirement, had an adult daughter, and was potentially having a mid-life crisis.
“How is Chai doing?” He quickly added, like he just remembered that I had a daughter.
“She’s doing much better. Now that she’s had surgery, it should be smooth sailing.”
“Glad to hear it. I know you were worried there for a bit.”
I smiled and shook my head. “You know, no matter how old they are, the worry is always there.”
“I guess I’m in for a tough time now that there are two of them,” he groaned, and for a second, he reminded me of who he was when we first started the business. The same happy-go-lucky hippie minotaur who wanted to revolutionize Colorado’s cannabis industry.
The waiter arrived at the table and took my drink order, whiskey on the rocks, same as Jonathan's.
We made small talk until he returned with my drink, discussing basketball season, podcasts, and the snowy weather we’d been having. We avoided talking about business until I’d made a dent in my drink, and we placed our order, that is.
“Al, I, uh. You probably know why I wanted to meet, don’t you?” Leaning over the table, he rubbed his thumb along his jawline.
I straightened in my seat. “Whatever it is, I figured it wasn’t great if we’re discussing it here. Is this about the meeting the other day and the influencer program?”
He huffed and shook his head. “It isn’t about that. I mean, I’m sorry I didn’t run it by you, but this isn’t about that. I’ll cut right to it.” Jonathan sat up and puffed out his chest, putting on the same alpha male performance he did at the board meeting. “I want to buy your share of the company.”
I tilted my head to the side, my mouth hanging open in disbelief.
Did I hear him right? He wanted to buy me out of the company we’d built from the ground up?
I’d put so much time and energy into Rocky Roots. I was proud of the work we’d done—and he wanted me to just kiss it all goodbye?
“Will you just hear me out?” He pleaded, letting the whole act slip. It was like he was that same young kid with a passion for weed again and not some cutthroat businessman.
I steepled my fingers and stared at him. “I’m listening.”
“Al, I care about this company. I have a ton of ideas about how we can grow and reach that next level, but in order to do that, we need to get with the times. The market is changing, and if we don’t change with it, we’ll be left behind.” He took a deep breath. “You’ve taught me everything I know about this business. If it weren’t for you, I’d still be that drug-rug-wearing stoner with a pipe dream. I care about you, Al, and I know you’re unhappy here. The stuff with your daughter and whatever else you have going on in your personal life has been a major distraction. I think it's time for you to retire and pass the torch. I know things have been a little tense between us since you returned, but I feel like I’ve really stepped up.”
Those were all valid points, and I would prefer the company stay in the hands of someone who’d been a part of it since its inception—but retirement? I’d thrown the idea around a time or two, especially since Chai got sick and I met Pam, but I wasn’t sure I was ready.
“Jonathan, I—I’m not sure I’m ready to make a decision like that just yet. I mean, I’m not even sixty.” I ran my hands through my hair and puffed out a breath. When he asked me to dinner, I wasn’t expectingthis.
“Here.” Jonathan slid a piece of paper across the table. “This is what I’m prepared to offer.”
I slipped on my readers and took in all the zeros that followed the number with wide eyes. There was no way… “Jon, my shares can’t possibly be worth this much—”
He could tell by the look on my face that I was in shock. “I discussed it with my financial advisor and my lawyer. It’s a fair offer, with a little extra tacked on for everything you’ve taught me over the years. I know you have savings and a retirement plan, but I want you to live comfortably. You can always invest it into another company if you get bored.”
I folded the slip of paper and put it inside my jacket pocket. “Can I have some time to consider your offer?”
“I want you to take some time off. Think it over. Regardless of what you decide to do, I hope this doesn’t change things between us.”
Even though I was taken off guard, I respected the fact that he’d come to the table with a fair offer.
I had a lot to consider.
It was at that moment that the waiter stopped by the table with our meals. While my couscous looked delicious, I’d suddenly lost my appetite.
* * *
The remainderof the meal was tense. I felt blindsided. Between that and the slip of paper burning a hole in my pocket, I was ready to get out of there.
I gave Jonathan a terse goodbye, and once I hit the highway, I called Pam from my truck’s Bluetooth.
