Life after the Lottery Ch. 62

There was some laughter.

"President Wells. What is the proposed cost of the building?" One of the large donors asked.

"Our current estimates are about $40,000,000 to build it and outfit it with the latest technology."

"What about ongoing costs?"

"Around $5,000,000 a year. That cost we hope to cover with tuition, donations, and endowments. This is much like many of our other programs, there is a lot more to it than the upfront cost. We need plenty of ongoing commitments to run it, provide scholarships, and to keep the technology current. Some of the cost will be covered by the medical center, but only a small part. This is why we need to get the commitments to generate long-term support."

"Dawn, how many students do you plan to graduate a year?" Someone else asked.

"I hope after the first year, we will be graduating over 100 new advanced nurses a year with their MSN. This program is not going to be like other MSN programs. These will not be academic graduates. These nurses will be in classes full-time to advance their knowledge, and will also be working in operating rooms learning the skills they need. Once they graduate, they will be specialized nurses that will help in every step of the doctor or surgeon's daily practice."

"Like a Nurse Practitioner?"

"More. They will be performing in the operating rooms with doctors."

"I thought that was what residents were for?"

"They are, but residents turn over. They will not be there from day to day with their acquired skills. With residents, there is always a period of time they need to learn their new skills. Take me for example. I work with two specialty plastic reconstructive surgeons. They have taken ten years to teach me what I know. I was in the operating room every day helping in ways that in some cases another doctor would have been helping. They have residents, and yes, after 2 to 4 years they have the skills needed to do more. But, and this is something we have to change, I spent a lot of my time teaching the residents. Our doctors and surgeons do not have the time needed to spend with new residents on the basics. The doctors in the operating rooms have to focus on what they are doing and do not have time to always be instructing."

"And you did that?"

"With my doctors, yes. But, many residents didn't like that at first. When the doctors I worked with interviewed their candidates, they tell them how they will learn and that I will be working with them a lot. If they don't like that, they don't get into the program. All of you doctors here know you have nurses that are as good, if not better than your 3rd and 4th-year residents, right?"

There were some yeses.

"You have spent years training nurses to help during surgeries. You count on them as much as any doctor helping you, or more. How many of your nurses catch the mistakes your residents are going to make before you do?"

There was some chatter.

"It is time that we trained advanced graduate nurses that can step into your programs and hit the ground running ready and willing for you to train them, much like you would your future doctors. In addition to the MSN graduates, we are also going to have a Ph.D. program. At this time, we are planning on the graduates from these programs to be highly specialized nurses. Ones that have been well trained in a focused specialty. Many of them will be dual enrollees in the practitioner programs. These nurses will have everything but M.D. after their name."

There was some applause.

"But, I am working to find the right doctors in the right programs and specialties that are willing to help train these people. This is a university hospital, I hope I can find what I need. I will need much more support than just financial. These candidates and the university will be wasting valuable time and money if I can't get doctors on board with the program," Dawn said. She was fired up and being very passionate about her plans.

"Dean Smith, how are these students going to decide which program they want to specialize in and how will they get the training?" One of the doctors we knew asked.

"Well, I have a surprise. After the first few semesters of the program, the students will be joining the M.D. students as they go through their rotations each semester. I think this will be best and give them the exposure they need. Each will have the opportunity to pick two different specialties for two semesters. At the end of that time, they will pick the specialty they want and will spend the next six semesters, or more, working their asses off in that specialty."

"Do you think you will get any pushback from the medical school, or the M.D. students?"

"I have been working with Dean of the Medical school. Fortunately, he understands the need for advanced nurses. He is on board. I think the only pushback we will see is when my nurses show up the M.D. students."

There was some applause and laughter.

"All of the doctors can contact me directly for more information," Dawn told them.

"Thank you, Dawn, or Dean Smith."

More applause.

"Now, before we pass around the information packets, are there any more questions?" The President asked.

"I have one?" Linda said as she stood at the front.

"Yes, Ms. Williams?"

"So, your current plans are to start building in about five years?"

"Yes, we hope."

"Why wait? It sounds like this is going to be a fantastic program. What is keeping you from starting as soon as possible?"

"Ms. Williams, as you know, banks don't like loaning money to universities that have big plans, unless they have the financial commitments to back it up, so they get their money back. Our experience is that it will take us about four years to raise the $10,000,000 to start and sign up donors for the rest of the $30,000,000. In addition to that, we have to raise and get commitments for operating capital before the banks will get onboard."

"I understand that, I have helped start many programs similar to this at other university hospitals. I know Dawn Smith, and she has told me her vision and plans for this program. I think it is a great idea and opportunity with a great leader. What would it take to get it moving faster?" Linda asked.

"Like everything, money."

"So, if you had the $10,000,000 and the commitments for the other $30,000,000, you would be ready to go?"

"Yes, we would," the President said. "We could start now, but that is a fantasy."

"Do you feel like you will get the funding and the support?" Linda asked.

"I think with some work, we will."

"Linda, do you have an idea?" Dawn asked. I was waiting for this.

"I do. Dawn, President Wells, I have confidence that you can make this program the best in the country. Dawn, you have told me that doctors everywhere need nurses with the types of skills you have. You told me this has been your dream for a few years. I want to help make it come true...now."

"What are you proposing?" Dawn asked.

"I have been involved in many fundraising programs for hospitals and universities. They start out great, then trail off. Often times, leaving the plans with insufficient funds to do what they originally had planned. I have a proposal. President Wells, I will match all contributions you collect over the next twelve months. Not one to one, but five to one."

There were some gasps in the crowd.

"For every dollar you collect, not get promised, I will match it with five dollars. You collect a $1,000,000 in donations, I will give you $5,000,000, up to $100,000,000. But, this offer is only good for the next twelve months."

More gasp and talk.

"Ms. Williams...thank...you," came from the President.

"I want to see you breaking ground next year. I think if you have my backing, you can raise $20,000,000 quickly. You do that, and I will match it with $100,000,000. I think that can eliminate the need for backing from any banks and provide enough as an endowment to keep the program running."

There was applause for a few minutes, and several of the photographers stepped out and took more pictures of Linda.

"I would like to see you raise $10,000,000 quickly, then I will give you $50,000,000. I think that should fund the building and the startup. Once that is started, you can raise another $10,000,000. The next $50,000,000 can be used as an endowment for ongoing operational cost and scholarships. I think with an incentive to get this done in 12 months, you will make things happen fast."

"Thank you!"

"I do have a few requirements if you please. Most of you know my parents were killed in a car wreck several years ago. I have not had a chance to honor them with anything. If it is okay, I would like the building to be known as the Elizabeth and John Williams Advanced Nursing Building."

"I think we can do that!"

"Additionally, I want to provide ten full scholarships each year for students in any of the three programs based on need. We should give current nurses that have the desire, but not the finances, the opportunity to become all they can be. I think with $100,000,000 you can endow the scholarships."

There were flashes from the cameras and a huge round of applause for several minutes.

"Ms. Williams, I thank you, the university thanks you, and the medical profession thanks you," the President said.

More applause.

"Linda, thank you," Dawn said. "Linda approached me with this idea recently, but I have not said anything. She wanted to wait and see for herself how the program is going. I have kept her informed, and now she is rewarding us all. I have talked this over with my husband and my family...and we are giving the first $1,000,000 tonight."

There were cheers for a minute.

"So, we now have $6,000,000 to start with," Dawn said. "Now, I have a goal, a very ambitious one. Before we leave here tonight, I think we can collect the other $9,000,000!!" Dawn shouted, and the place erupted into roars.

"I want to start this building by the first of the year!" Dawn shouted to much applause.

One of the doctors that Dawn and I knew that was very successful walked up and stood next to her.

"I have known Dawn for many years. And, she is one of the best nurses in her field in this country. She has talked to me for a long time about wanting to have this program. I trust her, and I know that she can and will make it the best in the country. Dawn, I am going to write you a check right now for your next million dollars."

"Yeah!!"

Dr. Willis reached in his coat, and took out his checkbook and started writing.

I saw Dr. John and Carol, walk up to Dawn, she turned and hugged him.

"Dawn is the smartest and most talented nurse I have ever worked with," he said. "I hope this program can train many more like her. Dawn, I will give you the next million."

"Yeah!!"

Dawn was hugging Dr. John and Carol when the tall, handsome doctor she wanted to set Linda up with stepped up to her.

"Ms. Williams," he said. "You are doing a great thing here. Doctors are desperately in need of nurses like this. I have a proposal for you, Ms. Williams. If you will go out on a date with me, I'll give you the next million dollars."

"Deal!" Linda said to loud applause. Dawn's friend, Dr. Kennedy, got out his checkbook.

Everyone stood around talking for a few minutes as things settled down. Over the next 20 minutes, a total of $7,000,000 was raised.

"Linda," one of the big wigs from a corporate group said walking up.

"Yes, Paul," Linda said to him.

"I knew your parents well, they would be very proud of what you have accomplished and what you are doing here. I have been talking to several others that are regular contributors to the university. We have decided to match what you have raised so far. You have the next $7,000,000."

The place erupted in cheers and applause for five minutes. Linda walked up to the older guy and hugged him for a minute. Linda had over the $10,000,000 needed and more, and now the university could move forward. Dawn came to me, and wrapped her arms around me and hugged me. I held her and knew she was crying. The photographers were taking plenty of photos of everyone. Champagne was being passed around. The celebration went on for 30 minutes.

"I told you I would get things started," Linda said as she walked up to Dawn. Dawn hugged her and Linda absentmindedly leaned over and kissed her on the lips, and I saw a flash. There was a party atmosphere until about 11:00.

I saw Linda talking to a lot of people; I was happy she was being more outgoing. About 11:30, I saw her and Rachel talking to the doctor friend of ours that had asked Linda for a date.

Things began to slow down about midnight. A lot of people had come by to talk to Dawn. Linda and Rachel walked up to us.

"Rachel and I are leaving," she said.

"Headed home?" I asked.

"Oh, no. I have a date," Linda said and leaned into me and gave me a kiss.

"Stay out of trouble," I said.

"Dawn, I'll call you tomorrow," Linda said and walked off.

Her new doctor friend escorted her and Rachel out of the building as the photographers took their picture.

"You did it, honey," I told Dawn.

"We did it! We have over $80,000,000!"

People mingled and congratulated Dawn for about an hour. The crowd began to thin out at 1:00, so we left, and Brian took us home.

"Did the party go well?" Brian asked from the front seat.

"It went very well," Dawn said.

*****

Once we pulled up in front of the house, Brian opened the door, and we all got out. While we were going in the door, I saw Amy still talking to Brian. She finally came in a few minutes later.

"What did Brian want?" Samantha asked.

"Nothing."

"Did he want another blow job!" Samantha teased her sister.

"Sam!"

"We saw you giving him one before! He probably wants another one!"

"I told him you would give him one!" Amy exclaimed.

"No problem!"

"Sam!"

"You two get undressed and go to bed," Dawn said.

Samantha looked at Dawn and pulled the straps off her shoulders and let the dress fall to the floor.

"Sam, pick that expensive dress up," Dawn told her.

Samantha bent over and picked up the dress.

"We should have had sex in the limo," Samantha said. "Then Brian could have watched us."

"We will be able to do that soon enough," I said.

We all headed up the stairs. Samantha came to our room after she dropped her dress off and crawled on the bed while Dawn and I got undressed.

"Did you tell your sister to join you?" Dawn asked.

"Yes."

By the time Dawn and I had undressed, Amy was in the bed with her sister.

"Move over," I told Samantha so I could get in the bed.

I got in next to Samantha, and Dawn got in next to Amy then I turned off the lights.

"I guess I shouldn't do things like that anymore," Amy said.

"Like what?" I asked.

"Giving guys blowjobs."

"Why not?" Dawn asked.

"Because we are married now."

"I give guys blowjobs all the time," Dawn said.

"That's different, that is our friends," Amy replied.

"Amy, you can still have some fun," I told her. "I'm sure Brian enjoyed that."

"I bet he did!" Samantha exclaimed.

"It was just a spur of the moment thing," Amy said.

"Nothing wrong with that," Dawn added in the dark.

"You don't do things like that," Amy said.

"Maybe I should!" Dawn exclaimed, and everyone laughed.

"Things like that are still okay?" Samantha asked.

"As long as it is just for fun," I said.

*****

Sunday morning we all slept in and fucked until about 11:00. After that, we went down and fixed a late breakfast.

About 2:00, Dawn's cell phone rang, and she answered it.

"Hey, Linda!"

"How did your date go!"

Dawn sat and listened, and giggled for about thirty minutes.

"Sounds like you had a good time. I told you that you would like him," Dawn said.

"Okay, I'll talk to you later." Dawn hung up.

"Well, did she have a good time?" Amy asked.

"I think she did."

"What happened?" Samantha asked.

"The short version is that she and Rachel fucked Dr. Kennedy all night!"

My wives squealed in delight.

"I don't believe that!" Amy said.

"Linda said they took her limo back to his house. She said Dr. Kennedy was very surprised that she brought Rachel, but she told him that Rachel went everywhere she did. They had a few drinks then the three of them ended up in bed."

"What happened!" Samantha asked.

"Linda said that she and Rachel treated him to a very nice night."

"I have a question?" I asked. "Did Linda say she let Dr. Kennedy watch her and Rachel?"

"They did!" Dawn exclaimed. "She said that was the best part!"

"Good for her."

Dawn told Amy and Samantha some more of the details while I walked to the mailbox to get the Sunday paper. I was sitting in the den reading as they talked. I opened the Leisure section and right on the front was a picture of Linda with the President of the university with a story about the evening.

"You better look at this," I said.

I laid the paper down, and they looked. There were other pictures to go with the big story. We turned the page, and there was one of Dawn and Linda with a caption about them. We read through the stories, and they were very good. The last picture was one of Linda hugging Dawn and me, and the caption read that we were the first contributors of a $1,000.000.

*****

After dinner, we were in the den watching TV when the phone rang. I picked it up and looked; it was Dan again.

"Hey, Dan."

"Hey, James. I watched that video...she put a serious hurt on those two guys."

"She fucked them up a little."

"It looked like it. Did you have any problem with the locals?"

"Not really."

"Who was the tall hot blonde?"

"That is Linda Williams, and that reminds me, I want her there for the class also."

"No problem!"

"Are you still teaching classes?" I asked.

"Three nights a week and all day Saturday. I have some help now."

"The redhead may want to take some classes."

"Hey, no problem, James!"

Samantha winked at me while I talked.

"She is in school full-time, so she has to check her schedule."

"Maybe she would like the all-day class on Saturdays if she is up to it."

"I'll see."

"Tell Dawn I want her to play the setup at class like we used to do."

"I will."

"Just tell her not to hurt me!"

"You trained her!"

We laughed.

"James, I sent you the times for the class."

"Okay. I'll see you then."

"Bye."

We watched TV until the news came on at 10:00 when a commercial came up for one of the late night Hollywood gossip shows.

"Stay tuned to see our coverage of the elusive Linda Williams, billionaire, as she makes her first public appearance! We have coverage of the huge charity function she attended as well as the scoop on who she left with!"

"Uh, oh," I said.

We sat through the news until the gossip show came on.

"We have the exclusive coverage of the country's most elusive, and single, billion heiress. Ms. Linda Williams, the sole owner of Williams Industries, attended the annual fundraising event for the local university."

They cut to a video of her exiting the limo with Rachel and walking up the steps.

"Ms. Williams arrived in her designer dress with her gal pal for the big event. This annual fundraising event turned into a huge success for the local university as Ms. Williams committed to donating $100,000,000 unexpectedly to fund a new program at the school."

They were showing stills and video of the party.

"Ms. Williams shocked everyone when she announced she would match every $1,000,000 donated with $5,000,000. She sprang this news on everyone as her apparent friends James and Dawn Smith, the huge lottery winners from a few years back, started the ball rolling with the first $1,000,000 donation for Ms. Williams to match. Ms. Williams was grateful as seen here in these photos as Ms. Williams gives each of them a big kiss. Not to be outdone, a very eligible and handsome doctor offered to donate the next $1,000,000 if Ms. Williams would go on a date with him. Undoubtedly, her new doctor friend got his wish as he and Ms. Williams left in a limo later with her gal pal. I hope he got his monies worth!"