Life after the Lottery Ch. 81

"Most of it. My hands are swelling, and my fingers are stiff."

"I can type it for you if you have it written down."

"I have most of it...in my head."

"I still hate you!" I teased her. She laughed at me.

"Amy, later, you and I can mix up something for our hands so they don't swell," Dawn told her.

Later, I was making dinner as the three of them talked. Samantha was asking Dawn about chemistry classes. Before they finished, Samantha was thinking hard about taking more chemistry.

"Sam, chemistry is good for your undergrad courses, but don't spend too much time on them for your premed electives," Dawn told her. "Focus on Gross Anatomy and a year of Psychology."

"I may just take a year of Organic Chemistry after I finish Basic Chem this year. I am also taking some Business classes."

Amy sat and listened. She was getting into learning about Dawn's potions. Once I finished cooking dinner, we sat and ate.

"Sherri and Brenda should be here about 9:00," I said.

"For their stock bonus?" Amy asked.

"Yes. That is their Christmas present."

"They will end up with 5% each eventually?" Samantha asked.

"Yes. They will get 1% each a year after the 2% this year until they get the full 5 percent."

"That is a good plan for them," Dawn said. "They are doing a great job."

"I have a little something else for them also."

"What?"

"A little bonus."

"Good. They deserve it," Amy added.

After dinner, I was in my study, taking care of some paperwork. I saw Sherri's code come up and went to the front door. She and Brenda were pulling up.

"Are things busy at the store?" I asked.

"Unbelievably. We are doing more business than I thought we would this week. Almost everyone coming in is asking about the car giveaway. I think a lot of the people are from out of town and are visiting relatives," Brenda said.

"That is what we want. Come on in."

"Hi, you two!"

"Hi, Dawn. Hi, girls," Sherri said.

"Have a seat. Would you like a little wine?" I asked.

"That would be great. I haven't had a chance to sit all day," Sherri said as she sat.

I went to the kitchen and got two glasses of wine for them.

"I won't keep you too long. I wanted you two to come by and pick up your Christmas present."

"You didn't have to do that."

"It is a Christmas present from the store."

"It is early!"

I went to my study and grabbed some envelopes, then went back and handed each of them a large envelope.

"Go ahead and open it," I said as I sat.

They slowly opened their envelope. Sherri pulled out the paperwork and read for a moment.

"James! What is this!"

"That is your early Christmas present for doing such a good job of getting everything up and running this year."

"Wow. It says this stock is for 2% ownership in our store."

"You each now own 2% of the store. You will get to share in the profits each year for that amount."

"Oh my. I don't know what to say," Brenda said as she read.

"We all think that is fair since you two are doing a great job. You know Dawn and I own almost 50%, and each of the girls owns 25%. It is only fitting you two are part owners."

"Thanks!" Came from Sherri.

"This is really special, you all," Brenda said.

"Our projections for next year are even better. We will end up right at $29,000,000 in sales this year. We are shooting for at least $36,000,000 next year."

"That's doable. We are approaching $100,000 a day now. We are doing great. I think the swimsuit business will explode next year," Sherri said. "We have good staff and college girls coming in every day wanting to work for us."

"You are doing well. And since you just got your ownership share this year, this is your share of the profit," I said as I handed them one more envelope.

They took the envelopes, opened them, and took out a check.

"Oh my god!" Sherri exclaimed.

"We'll end up right at $4,000,000 in profit this year after taking care of some of the initial costs. You each got $80,000 this year."

"Wow! Thanks," came from Brenda. Sherri was nearly in tears.

"Now for the good news," I said.

"More!" Sherri exclaimed.

"I hope so. As long as things keep going great like it has this year, each of you will receive 1% more each year until you each own 5%."

"What?"

"This was our plan from the beginning. We think it is important that you two have an investment in the operations. In three more years, you will each own 5% total," Dawn said.

"James! Dawn!"

"It's not just me. We all decided on this. You two have been instrumental in getting this off the ground and taking a big chance on joining us. I think if we can keep our profit around 15% each year, you two should get a pretty good year-end bonus."

"James? If things keep going the way they are going...you are talking about $200,000 or more at the end of the year...for each of us," Brenda said.

"At least. I hope at the end of five years, your bonus will be closer to $300,000 or more each year."

"Wow..."

"Is that enough skin in the game to keep you working hard!"

"Hell, yes!" Sherri exclaimed, and we all laughed.

"We thought you would like your Christmas present!" Dawn exclaimed.

"We do!"

"You two made a big difference in the success because you know what you're doing and wanted to do this," Dawn said. "You were rewarded for all your great ideas."

"It has been my dream," Sherri said.

"I found out something a bit humorous," Brenda said.

"What?"

"The lady is closing the store I worked at. She was unwilling to expand the inventory as I told her to do."

"I hate to see any business fail, but it is her fault," I said.

"We sell nice things at fair prices. Ladies feel they deserve it, and it doesn't cost much more."

"The store I was at is still going. They are selling only cheap stuff," Sherri said.

"I think we are doing great, and it is turning into a regional store," I said.

"It is, and that is going to be great for us," Brenda said. "Sherri and I have been discussing an idea."

"What is that?"

"We want to put together some cost estimates for us to sell online."

"I'm not sure we want to get into a full online business."

"Not a full line. We have talked to a lot of the customers that come from out of town. They have asked if we will have a catalog if they can't come to see us all the time," Brenda said.

"What Brenda and I are thinking is a catalog with only the high-end items. Seasonal catalogs. Spring for the swimsuits, and twice a year, mail one for lingerie. Strictly the high dollar designer items," Sherri said.

"If we start out with catalogs for a few years, we can move that to an online store and then only print and mail small announcements," Brenda added.

"That sounds manageable," Samantha said. "What will the online store cost to run a year and to print catalogs?"

I smiled at Samantha.

"At the end of the year, we will see what the full store online presence costs. We are looking into catalog costs."

"What about warehousing inventory?" I asked,

"To start, we would pull from store stock. If it adds a lot to our move rate, it will help us get better prices, though we are going to get better prices on the European lingerie next year because they know we are a success and they want to move more in the States," Brenda added. "When we go to the fashion shows starting around February, we are going to hold out for better prices."

"If the online business reaches a point we need a separate warehouse and handling facilities, we will do that. But we think it can be fulfilled out of the store stock," Sherri said.

"There are two young ladies that work for us that brought up the ideas. They are both business majors. Sherri and I are thinking when they graduate next Spring, they would be perfect and have the experience to run this and get it off the ground."

"Put the numbers together. If it looks good and you can set it up to start this Spring, that would be great for the swimsuit season," I said.

"That is possible," Brenda said.

"What about catalogs?"

"All the vendors have their own artwork and their own models. We will use that unless it is something special we want. Usually, you can get a manufacturer to help with the costs of the catalogs. We can have a swimsuit catalog by March."

"That would be good."

"James? If we do this, can we include those customers in any car giveaways? If we are going to do that again?" Sherri asked.

"Sure. Run the sales through the store POS, and it will track it. You said you think a lot of the customers will be previous ones from the store."

"In the beginning."

"Good, and we will be giving away more cars!"

"Great!"

"I think you two have a good idea. If the two ladies you said gave you the idea can get it going, we will reward them. Let them know and tell them we are not going to steal their idea," Dawn said.

"Wonderful!" Brenda said.

"James? Should that be set up as a separate company?" Samantha asked.

"Maybe a Division of Allure if it grows."

Samantha smiled.

"We will end the year great," Sherri said. "I have been thinking about a big New Year's Eve party for the staff."

"Will most of them be in town since they are in college?" Amy asked.

"Most of them."

"Why don't we have it here?" Dawn said.

"We will have three new babies," I said.

"So? How many do you think would come?"

"Around 50 if we let them bring boyfriends. But you will be really busy," Brenda said.

"I think we can handle that. We have the pool, and it is heated. I'll call the lady that caters for our parties. It will be fun. We usually have a big New Year's Eve party with our friends. Not this year, so we can have a staff party."

"Dawn? Are you sure?" Sherri asked.

"Sure. See if you can get a rough count so I can tell the caterer."

"All right! We'll put the word out and get a count!"

We all talked for a bit before they left to go and get some rest.

"I think that really surprised them," Dawn said.

"They deserve it," Amy added.

"They did. Their bonus will be more than two times that next year. We had to cover more expenses this year, or they would have gotten over $100,000 each."

"Where is our bonus?" Samanta teased me.

"How much do you think it will be?" I asked.

"Based on theirs...$1,000,000!"

"Something like that, but we are keeping some of the profit for next year's expenses. But you are close. Since you two have plenty of money. You could use a lot of that to pay on your loan for the house in Hawaii?"

"I knew it was too good to be true," Samantha said.

"And you...you owe your trust another million!"

"Ahhh! Do I still have to pay it back?"

"No...just for the house. Your trust holds your share if that is the way you want it set up. What will you two do with $1,000,000 or more?"

"I don't know," Amy said. "I'll pay off the Hawaii house first."

"What should we do with it?" Samantha asked.

"You two will be near the same tax bracket we are, so income taxes on it will be near 30%."

"Damn! What?" Samantha exclaimed. "I don't want to give the government $300,000!"

"That's life. I may be paying over almost $100,000,000 in taxes this year."

"Fuck!" Came from Amy.

"You two will have to learn what to do to keep as much of your money as possible. Paying off the Hawaii house will help you because that is a capital investment."

"What can we do this year other than that?" Samantha asked. I like her enthusiasm.

"Sam, the smartest thing you can do is take most of that and use that as part of the loan to John this year. Next year, you can pay off the Hawaii house. That will have tax advantages that taking the money from your trust will not have."

"All of it?"

"Unless there is something you want to do with some of it. Amy, we'll have to work on what we can do with yours after the house. I'll ask the accountants and lawyers."

"There may be something we want to buy," Samantha said.

"Not for that kind of money, young lady!"

"No! Nothing like that."

"I have been talking to Bob about his restaurant plans. Could we do like you are doing with Linda and go ahead and fund it this year? Wouldn't that be a capital investment?" Amy asked.

"You are learning, honey! Can you get Bob to come by tomorrow evening, and let's see where he is at."

"Okay!"

"James? How much did Sherri and Brenda pull down in commission this year?" Dawn asked.

"With their base plus the commission this year, they each cleared over $120,000, plus their bonus."

"Good."

"I am going to call Bob," Amy said and headed upstairs.

"I'm going with her. I may want to get in on this restaurant deal, too!"

"Can Amy do what she is thinking?" Dawn asked.

"Yes, but I am not sure it can be set up before the end of the year. That was a good idea. She is learning."

"I was impressed."

"I'm going to send an email to the attorney before we go to bed."

*****

Amy and Samantha were up early on Tuesday to get to school.

"Bob is coming by about 7:00 tonight," Amy said.

"Good. I sent an email to the attorney last night about your idea. I'll check with him this morning. We may not be able to get it all set up before the end of the year."

"I bet Linda could get it set up."

"Good idea. I'll see what they say."

Dawn left at about 9:00. I had the house to myself. About 10:00, the house phone rang, and I answered it. It was the new nanny from England.

"Dr. Smith. This is Sylvia."

"Hello, Sylvia."

"I was going to ask Dawn if it was okay if I brought some of my things by and dropped them off?"

"Of course, it is. If you are ready, we are ready for you to move in."

"Good. I wanted to drop off a few boxes of things and see what else I would need for my room."

"You only need to bring your things. Anything else you need, we will provide."

"Oh...okay. Can I come by in about an hour?"

"Sure. I'll make lunch for us."

"Okay. I'll see you in an hour or so."

After I hung up, I went to the bedroom we planned on giving her to check on it and make sure it was ready. I had to move a couple of things out and back to my studio.

Just before noon, the gate buzzed. It was Sylvia. I let her in, went to the door, and waited. She pulled up and got out.

"Hello, Dr. Smith."

"Hello, Sylvia. Let me show you the room we have in mind for you, and then we can move your boxes."

She came in, and I led her to the bedroom down the hall from my studio.

"I think Dawn told you that you could live in the pool house if you wanted to do that."

"This will be fine. I want to be close to the babies."

"The nursery will be upstairs, but we have an elevator."

"Great."

"Sylvia, did Dawn explain to you that there are cameras in the room that will be the nursery? You will be able to see them on any TV in the house."

"Dawn said there were cameras all over the house."

"There are...every room has cameras. Even this one. I'll show you how to turn them off. On that TV, you will be able to see the nursery."

"Sounds great."

"If you need anything for the room or the bathroom, we will get it for you."

I led her into the bathroom.

"Wow. This is a big bathroom."

"All the bathrooms in the house are like this."

"It is big."

"The nursery has a big bathroom off it also. Our bedroom is upstairs. Samantha and Amy each have a bedroom upstairs, but they sleep with us. There is one more bedroom upstairs other than the nursery. That bedroom belongs to Linda and Rachel. They stop by often. After the first of the year, it will be available to expand the nursery if needed, or you can move into it. Down here is my studio, this bedroom, a full bath, and some rooms we used for storage and other things."

"Dawn said all the babies would be in the nursery for now. It is a big room, so that should not be a problem. I guess after you see if you have boys and girls, they can have separate rooms when they get older."

"That is the plan. There are three more bedrooms downstairs. The storage rooms down here can be converted to bedrooms if needed. Sylvia, you are free to go anywhere in the house you wish. Make yourself at home. I'll set you up with codes for the gate and the front door. I'll set you up on our computers so you can get to your email and the Internet."

"Okay."

"I just want you to feel comfortable asking any questions you may have."

We went back out to the den.

"Let's get your things," I said.

We went out to her car, grabbed some boxes, and took them back to her room. After several trips, we had everything.

"That is all for now," she said.

"Okay. I have a big lasagna in the oven that will be ready for lunch."

I went to the kitchen, and she followed and sat at the bar.

"Smells great."

"I haven't made a lasagna in a few months."

"Oh? You made it."

"Yes. We all cook. I am just cooking more lately."

I pulled the lasagna from the oven and let it sit on the counter.

"Would you like some wine, Sylvia?"

"Sure."

I got a bottle of red wine and poured us glasses.

"There is wine in that cooler and white wine in the chiller. If it is empty, the pantry has a wine room at the end of it. Feel free to get what you like."

"I don't know much about wine."

"We'll teach you. I know the girls will be happy when they can drink it again. There is a grocery list in the pantry. Write anything you need or want on it so we can pick it up when we go to the store."

"I don't think I'll need much else."

"Do you cook?"

"Oh, yes. My mother taught me how to cook."

"Then you can teach us how to make some of your favorites."

We talked for a few minutes, then I put lasagna on plates, and we sat and ate.

"This is really good, Dr. Smith."

"I'm glad you like it. Sylvia, just call me James, please. It is not going to be that formal around here."

"Oh...okay."

We talked while we ate. I asked Sylvia about herself.

"Dr...James? Can I ask you about something?"

"Of course."

"When I was talking to Dawn and the girls...they mentioned that you all are pretty casual around here. She wanted to know if they walked around the house naked if I was okay with that?"

"Would you be?"

"It is fine with me...but...I was just wondering..."

"If I walk around the house naked, too?"

"Well...yes."

"We all do right now. I guess that is going to have to change."

"Maybe not right away...I mean...if that is what you all feel comfortable doing...don't stop."

"I think we will have to talk about that. I don't want you feeling uncomfortable, Sylvia."

"Don't worry about it. I won't have a problem with that, James."

"We come and go from the pool without clothes and just hang out that way."

"The pool looked nice when Dawn showed me."

"It is heated when it gets cold, so you can swim anytime you wish."

"You know, we should make sure the babies learn to survive in water as soon as we can. You would be surprised at how early babies can learn to stay afloat."

"Great idea. We'll have to put up a barrier around the pool."

"If we teach them early, you shouldn't need to do that."

"Maybe that will work. Linda and Rachel will need to teach their babies, also. They will have a pool, too."

"Dawn said they were nearly finished with their house."

"They are getting there. The two of them are also due on Christmas Day."

"That is what the girls said."

"Sylvia, did they tell you I am the father of their children also?"

"All of them told us about that."

"Linda and Rachel are very close to us. They are really like family."

"Dawn explained some of that to me."

"She'll need to explain a lot more to you later."

"You don't have to do that."

"It is something you need to know about. You'll find it very interesting."

"I think I will."

"Did Dawn tell you that you would be flying with her or us when we go to the reservation?"

"Yes, she did. I can't believe that she and Sam can fly a helicopter! Sam is so young."