“Excuse me?” Joe Eads asked loudly as Uncle Darin and Grant squirmed in their chairs. “I wasn’t aware of Ms. Hubbard seeking representation. I’ve been Reid Hubbard’s attorney for the last nearly thirty years. I’ve represented Mr. and Mrs. Hubbard and of course, Maeve.”
Trish smiled a pleasant smile. “As such, it is fair to say your loyalties rest with the dearly departed Mr. Hubbard and his widow.” She nodded toward Daphne. “Mrs. Hubbard, I’m sorry for your loss.”
Daphne nodded. Her straight posture alluded to her equal surprise.
“Maeve,” Trish went on, “is my client. I’ve already had the pleasure of working with Esquire Wilcox from the Coopers. Mr. Eads, I look forward to working with you as well.” She took a seat.
“Today,” I said, stopping further discussion, “is about the future of the Coopers franchise. Once we have concluded on that subject, we will convene with only the members of the executive board to discuss other matters.” The update was regarding Bre Stanton. “Before we begin, is there anyone who would like to object to or contest my rights as sole owner of the Lexington Coopers to conduct this meeting as chairman of the board?”
It was a blunt question, one Trish recommended I ask. ‘Lay it all on the line,’ she’d said. I waited for objections.
The interested parties moved their gazes from Joe Eads to Cammy Wilcox.
“Mr. Eads?” I asked.
“At this time,” he said, “there are no objections.”
“I know everyone is awaiting my decision,” I began, “and you will have it. First, I decided to reflect on the Coopers franchise. This isn’t new information to most of us. Instead, it’s a reflection on how we got to where we are today. My grandfather” —I motioned to Grant, Lip, and Leigh— “our grandfather, Carroll Hubbard, purchased the Lexington Coopers, an established NFL franchise, in 1978 for $20 million dollars. I’m sure he never imagined there would be a day when a three-year contract cost more than the price of an entire franchise. While my memories of Grandpa Carroll are those of a loving grandfather, my father often talked to me about Grandpa’s ambition.
“Carroll Hubbard wasn’t born with $20 million dollars to spend. He started his career in 1957 working at McDonald’s. I don’t know for sure, but I’d suspect that when he asked our grandmother, Mary McGuire, to marry, Grandpa didn’t plan on working at the new fast-food franchise for long. Carroll Hubbard had ambition and drive. What he didn’t have was family money. He and our grandma saw an opportunity in the new type of restaurant. They scraped together enough money to purchase their own McDonald’s franchise in 1961. From what I can find, theirs was one of only 250 to 300 franchises at the time.
“Even with my father and Aunt Rachel to care for, Grandma Mary helped Grandpa Carroll with the books as well as cleaning the restaurant.” I nodded to Aunt Rachel. “I’ve heard stories where you and Dad helped out with the cleaning.”
She grinned. “We did.”
“The Hubbards’ first franchise was a family business. Their one franchise became two and then ten. By the mid-1970s, our grandparents owned over twenty restaurants. What started with a franchise fee of under one thousand dollars turned into millions. Those earnings weren’t magic. They were the result of hard work and having the right people in positions of power.
“That’s why” —I turned to point at my grandfather’s portrait— “the Coopers meant so much to Carroll Hubbard. He’d succeeded in a world that didn’t exist when he was a child and turned that success into something he loved—football.
“Dad often told me that I was a lot like my grandfather. I took that, and still take that, as a compliment. Carroll Hubbard put his heart and soul into this franchise. I’m sorry he can’t see where we are today.” I inhaled, fighting the emotions. “Can you imagine if he and Grandma could see Crystal Light Stadium?” I lifted my cheeks with a smile. “My father” —I gestured to Uncle Darin and Aunt Rachel— “along with the two of you, took Grandpa’s success and tended to it. You watered and fed his dream. Today, I have the responsibility of caring for that same dream.
“I can’t do it alone.”
Everyone’s eyes were on me.
“I need all of you. I don’t need fighting, arguing, or belittling. I’m aware of my limitations. I’m also aware that Dad entrusted the Coopers’ future to me. I will not fail him. One day, I will be both owner and CEO.” I inhaled. “Today isn’t that day. I have a lot to learn. While I’ve reached out to others in the industry, I want to believe that the love and pride, as well as the responsibility and dedication that Carroll and Mary Hubbard had to take fast-food restaurants and make them a football dynasty, has been passed down to us, all of us.”
I turned to our general manager and coaches. “The Coopers is a family business. As I said the other day, you are part of the family. I can’t promise what the future holds. I can only ask that you work with our new structure to fulfill Dad’s quest for a successful season.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Coach Tilson said.
The others nodded.
I met the eyes of each family member. “And that we can work together for the same goal?”
They nodded.
“We’re stronger against outside forces when we’re together.” I took a deep breath. “Grant.”
His eyes widened in anticipation.
“As vice president of communication, I’d like you to create the press release announcing that in the spirit of Carroll Hubbard, Rachel Hubbard Marsh has been named as the Coopers’ temporary CEO.” I let out a breath and leaned back in my seat.
The room filled with words of congratulations. The coaches and Royce Beasley appeared genuinely happy with my decision. The only disgruntled person was the man at Aunt Rachel’s side—her husband.
I sat forward, laying my arms on the table. “Uncle Darin, if you’d like to speak to me privately, I’m available.” When he only glared, I added, “We need your help. I hope we can count on that?”
His nostrils flared as he nodded his head. “Of course.”
