The Freak Pt. 05 of 05

Mr. Akers had phoned me about a year after our initial meeting with a business proposition. His health was failing and he wanted out of the automotive business. Justin had never shown interest in anything other than Wall Street. I agreed to buy the dealership once I had graduated with my MBA but first I had to deal with a little problem Mr. Akers was having--he was sure that someone was stealing from him.

One of the final courses I'd had as an undergrad was Forensic Accounting. I'd thought at the time that it was one of the more interesting and challenging courses I'd taken. Before taking full control of the business I had to do a little research and the only time I could do that was on Sunday when the dealership was closed. Barbara and I drove and ferried to Long Island four Saturdays in a row, staying at our house overnight before driving to Smithtown early Sunday morning. I had the key to the back door and the alarm code as I began my work. I checked through purchase orders for the past three years, noticing almost immediately that the dealership seemed to use a lot of after-market parts, much more than I thought they would. That was interesting, but not conclusive until I found the excellent records kept by the parts department manager. Once I compared the orders with what had actually been received I quickly realized what the scam amounted to.

Apparently it had started about two years ago when Mr. Akers' health first started to keep him away from the dealership. At least once each month there was a bogus purchase order for parts that were paid for, but never delivered. At roughly $5,000 a month this was a profitable scheme for those involved. The name on both the order and the payment approval was that of the general manager and all of the questionable orders were for the same dealer--Able Automotive, Inc.--so there was obviously someone there who was in on the scheme. That was something that I would leave to the district attorney and the Suffolk County Police.

I shared the information I had with Mr. Akers and we agreed that he would take it to the authorities, but take no other action until I had taken control of the company. I doubted that these records would be missed. I knew that they were mostly held for tax purposes.

Barbara and I spent most of our spring break at our home on the bluff, inviting my family for Easter dinner. The dinner--roasted turkey with all the fixings--went well, but the best part occurred near the end when I asked Carole how she'd enjoy being an aunt. The reaction from my parents and sisters was bedlam. They were all over us with hugs and kisses and there was plenty of joyful crying. Everyone stayed overnight at the bungalow except Carole who slept in one of the guest rooms with Kelly by her side.

The horrible episode with St. Claudia's had come to a sudden crashing end during the summer following freshmen year when we received a phone call from Captain Flanagan. "Good afternoon, Jack," he began. "We've had a major breakthrough in the case. Sister Mary Patrick has confessed--she said that her conscience was killing her--and there's more...a lot more. She told us that she and Sister Mary Theresa were talking in the school office late one afternoon almost twenty years ago when Moran overheard them. He threatened to expose them if they didn't cooperate."

"Oh no...tell me he didn't demand sexual favors from them."

"He did, unfortunately--oral and anal sex from Sister Mary Patrick and vaginal and oral sex from Sister Mary Theresa. We notified the Cardinal this morning and it will hit the news outlets tonight. I wanted you and Barbara to know. I anticipate your lawsuit will be settled soon, too. The Church is really embarrassed, but that will be nothing compared to what will happen tomorrow when the proverbial shit hits the fan." I thanked him then ended the call just minutes before I expected Barbara. She was extremely relieved when she heard the news.

Capt. Flanagan's assessment had been right on. The lawsuit was settled a month later, just before the end of Summer Session II. I was studying at home with Barbara--preparing for our final exams--when Mr. Silverman phoned. Each of the plaintiffs would receive $250,000 while Stan would receive $2,000,000 for his time and expenses in pursuing the case. He told us that the owners of the jewelry had been identified and that all of it would be returned as part of the agreement. Barbara received a certified check by mail about a month later. She had already received her ring.

All three pled to reduced charges. Sister Mary Patrick pled to three counts of aggravated assault and two of grand larceny receiving a sentence of six to ten years in state prison. Sister Mary Theresa pled to three counts of conspiracy to commit aggravated assault and another two of conspiracy to commit grand larceny with a sentence of four to seven years. Msgr. Moran pled to five counts of conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, three of sexual assault, and three of sodomy. He received a sentence of ten to twelve years in a maximum security prison. All three were required to sign an agreement never to work with minors again. Barbara and I were well pleased both with the results of our prosecution and that the entire episode was behind us.

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Paul and Vera lived two doors down from us with their daughter Ginny who had helped us from the start with Kelly, walking and feeding her when we couldn't get home. It was a Friday afternoon in April of my junior year when I put Kelly out. Barbara was picking up two of those three-foot Italian subs for dinner with our friends Justin and Darla. I was surprised when I looked across the lawns to see Paul apparently crying as he sat--head down in his hands--on their patio. I clipped the leash to Kelly's collar and quickly walked her over to Paul. "What's wrong, Paul? Can I help in some way?"

"Thanks, Jack, but nobody can help me. I'm about to lose everything. I got laid off seven months ago. We were barely getting by and now we're so far in the hole we're going to lose the house and everything else."

"Can't you find another job? What did you do?"

"I worked in a factory that milled machine parts. That involves a lot of metal shavings. My job was to sweep up the shavings so they could be recycled. There were four of us. Now there are only two." I heard Barbara pull into our driveway so I left to speak with her. We agreed and, after a quick peek at the Boston Globe I returned to Paul who hadn't moved an inch.

"Barbara and I will pick you and Vera up tomorrow at noon. Then we're going to Narragansett. You can tell people that you had a good day at the track, but if you mention my role or Barbara's...."

"The track? That's your solution?"

"You need to trust and have faith in me. That's how I made the money that got me started and how I've made millions since. Don't worry about money. Barbara and I will lend you the money for the first bet."

We arrived just in time for an enjoyable lunch then I led Paul to place our first bet. "Ten dollars on number six in the third race to win." After checking the accuracy of the ticket I placed a second bet for twenty. The horse won at 8 to1 odds and we bet the bundle on the four horse in the next race. That continued until we had won four straight races and accumulated several thousand dollars. Together we stepped up for the ninth race: "Two hundred on numbers four and five--the exacta--in the ninth race." Paul echoed my bet just a few seconds later. The four-five combo paid more than 1500 to1. We collected more than $300,000 each in cashier's checks and went home.

I had a brief chat with Paul and Vera once we were in their driveway. "Pay off all of your debts and go to community college to learn a skill like plumber, or electrician, or welder or something like that so you'll be able to find and hold a good job and don't forget that you'll have to pay taxes on the winnings so don't blow it all." They thanked us over and over, but after this our relationship suffered. We never did find out why--so much for gratitude.

I graduated with my MBA on a Saturday in mid May of 1965 with Barbara, my parents, my aunt and uncle, and my infant daughter present. Also in attendance were Mr. and Mrs. Justin Akers. Barbara and I had a very long chat on our return to Somerville after meeting Justin's parents. We both knew that Justin and Darla hadn't been intimate, but it was just a matter of time. To help them along we decided to offer them our guest room. Barbara would talk with Darla and I would talk with Justin. Those discussions took place Monday between classes.

Justin and Darla did accompany Barbara and me home for pizza and soda after Friday's basketball game and around midnight I was more than ready for bed. I put Kelly out and Barbara and I closed the door to our bedroom.

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Neither Justin nor Darla had made any effort to go back to their dorms. Finally, Darla took Justin by the hand and led him to the guest room. "This is nice, don't you think?"

"Yeah, I.... Darla, you don't have to. Jack told me that you had a really bad experience. So...." Darla silenced him with a tender kiss.

"I know that I don't have to, Justin. I promised myself that I would never again give myself to a man I wasn't totally in love with." She looked up into Justin's eyes and laughed. "That's you, sweetie. Don't you realize that? Haven't I shown you that I love you...that I love you with every fiber of my body? And I know something even if you don't. You love me every bit as much. Let's go into the powder room and wash each other. There's no shower, but Barbara promised me that there would be plenty of wash cloths and soap. I can't wait to have your hands all over my body and--in case you're wondering--I can't wait to have my hands all over yours."

Darla led Justin into the small room marked with only a small basin, a toilet, and a closet. There were two large and thick bath towels hanging from a wall-mounted rack and over each as a wash cloth. "Would you help me to undress, Justin? Don't worry about cumming in me. I'm on the pill. I may be Catholic, but I'm not an idiot. She moved his hands to the buttons on her blouse while hers worked on his shirt. In minutes they stood naked before each other for the very first time.

Justin knew that he was nothing special physically, but Darla was a goddess. She had legs like Betty Grable and breasts like a Playboy centerfold model. Darla moved forward to grip his head and rub her breasts into his body as she kissed him once again. Justin's response was clearly noticeable as his six and a half fairly thick inches of erect penis wedged between their bodies.

Darla took the lead again, running the cloth under a stream of hot water and soaping it up before handing it to Justin and repeating for herself. She washed Justin's body slowly as she encouraged him to do the same for her. "Do a good job on my breasts, Justin and my pussy and make sure you do a really good job on my ass. I want to be squeaky clean for you." Ten minutes later they were dry and tiptoed across the hall carrying their clothes. Seconds later they were together under the blanket.

"I've only done this three times, Justin."

"I've never...," he whispered back.

"Okay, then we'll have to learn as we go. We'll be fine as long as we communicate openly with each other." She rubbed his cock slowly and teasingly, running his slick pre-cum over the head. "I don't think we need any foreplay, darling. I'm so hot for you I'm actually gushing. Please climb between my legs and push it in. Don't worry about cumming too fast. We can always do it again." That was the start of their physical relationship. Justin showed himself to be a considerate lover that night as they made love three times and, if there had been any question about their love for each other it evaporated that night. They were hopelessly in love with each other when they awoke the following morning.

Justin and Darla had sheepish and embarrassed expressions on their faces the following morning, but we could see their complete love for each other, too. I heard all about it Monday afternoon in the Harvard library. Barbara walked up behind me, announcing her presence with a brief kiss to my neck. "I spoke with Darla this morning." Oh boy, I knew this was going to be good! "She told me it was a comedy of errors. Justin was a virgin and Darla's only done it three times with that loser in high school. She told me that they were so pathetic that they laughed crazily until he was finally able to stick it in then she said it was like heaven. Apparently Justin agreed and they had it down pat by the third time." I laughed then kissed Barbara and laughed again. I was relieved that things had gone well for them. Little did I know how well.

After that fateful night they spent almost every weekend with us as their love grew even deeper than it had been before. They became engaged during their sophomore year and married in her home town of Hyannis on Cape Cod at the end of the school year. Barbara was matron of honor and I was best man.

I took the reins of Aker Motors--soon to be French Motors--a week after graduation, walking into the dealership in the company of two Suffolk County Police detectives who were there to arrest the general manager on 36 counts of grand larceny and embezzlement. I did the GM's job for the next month until I hired an experienced executive for the position. He only lasted two weeks because he refused to hire a qualified mechanic, one who had extensive General Motors training and high recommendations from his prior employer in Indiana because he was, in the GM's words, "a no-good fucking nigger." He was gone by day's end and I called the candidate myself to offer him the job. It was almost a week later that I received a letter from my local draft board notifying me that I was being drafted. I appealed, requesting a hearing based on economic hardship. That was scheduled for the Wednesday after Labor Day.

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I stood before the board in a business suit and tie, briefcase in my hand. "Can you tell us, Mr. French why you think you will experience an economic hardship if you are drafted? How much do you think you would lose and why?"

"Well, sir--I'm not opposed to serving my country, but I would probably lose several million dollars, at least. I currently own three businesses including a Buick-Cadillac dealership in Smithtown, Long Island. I have the papers here in my briefcase detailing my ownership and the four million dollar business loan I have from Chase Bank. At the present time I am serving as the general manager. I fired the first for stealing roughly $180,000 from the prior owner and the second for bigotry that resulted in illegal hiring practices.

"I also own two Wendy's restaurants--one in Medford, Long Island that is currently in operation and one in Commack, Long Island that is expected to open within the next three weeks. Without me to manage that one, at least in the beginning, I stand to lose my entire investment, franchise fee and construction costs coming to more than $650,000." I passed the pertinent documents to the board's clerk.

What is your marital status, Mr. French?"

"I have been married for more than four years and I have one child, a daughter who is eighteen months old. She and my wife are in the waiting room. My wife is also pregnant again although only about three months so you wouldn't know to look at her."

"How many people do you employ, Mr. French?"

"There are currently 67 at the dealership, but I'm short one accounts clerk, one secretary, and, of course, one general manager. Even with a GM I will have to be there at least three times a week to supervise and provide direction to the sales managers. I have 23 at my one Wendy's and I visit the restaurant at least twice each week to audit the receipts and to handle the payroll. The same would be true with my second restaurant."

One of the other board members spoke for the first time. "Mr. French, you're awfully young to own one business let alone three. Can you explain how you managed this?"

"I'll try, Ma'am. I'm a Harvard graduate and while there I became very good friends with the son of the man who owned the dealership. The son works on Wall Street and has no interest in selling and servicing cars so the father offered the business to me. Of course, I had to pay for it--a bit more than five million dollars. The others I just felt were a good opportunity."

"Graduate school?"

"Yes, Ma'am--Harvard Business. I was Summa Cum Laude at both." I was asked to have Barbara and Brianna come in. Brianna ran to me as soon as the door was opened and I pulled her up into my arms. I introduced them to the board and we were excused. A week later I received notice that I had been reclassified 2-A--deferred due to occupation. I never heard from them again.

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Barbara and I had four children--Brianna Marie, Jennifer Diane, Robert Michael, and Casey Lynn--all spaced between eighteen and twenty-four months apart. After Brianna was born Barbara had phoned Darla to tell her that we would name our next girl "Darla ." Darla's reply was completely unexpected. "If you do I'll never speak to you again. It's bad enough that I have this horrible name. Please don't inflict it on an innocent child. My parents wanted to impress a great aunt in the hope of getting an

inheritance. Instead, she told them they were crazy. She hated the name, too." So much for "Darla" as our daughter's name.

Barbara had promised to show her love for me every minute of every day and that's exactly what she did. I knew that I would receive a searing kiss every night when I returned home from work and that was just a prelude to what would happen once the kids were asleep. Most nights she would have to wait until I had been officially greeted by our children and our dog, but that never slowed her down. If nothing else, our children knew that their parents loved each other totally.

We made the most passionate love at least once a day well into our fifties. Then we slowed down a bit to four to five times a week. I often thought that our love making was the reason why we rarely fought or argued. We disagreed as all couples do, but when we did we resolved those disputes through discussion, always sealing the deal in bed shortly thereafter.

Our children learned to love the beach and the water as much as we did. They could all swim by the time they were five. They also learned to fish and I insisted that they learn to bait their own hooks, running the ugly sand worms that I always used up the hook. We rarely caught anything worthwhile, but we did have a lot of fun. It was just one of the many things we did together as a family.

We never had to do without for lack of money. I cleared well more than a million a year just from the dealership and close to another million from my three Wendy's restaurants and more once my loans were paid off. Yes, I opened one more in Smithtown near my dealership. I repaid my loans early and invested profitably in a broad spectrum of securities. I had those incredible flashes for my entire life.

Some of those flashes led me to purchase forty acres adjacent to the dealership once those loans were done. I put in two additional dealerships--Toyota and GMC, the latter including heavy duty vehicles in addition to pickups and vans.

I put in plenty of hours for the first six years. By then I had a cadre of managers I knew I could trust. I would meet with them once or twice a week to provide direction and to audit the business's activities. I trusted them, but I wasn't a fool.

I never forgot about my parents, my family, the Gleason's, or about those in need. I contributed to local charities, especially those dealing with children. The local YMCA was one of my favorites as was the Salvation Army. My charitable contributions increased once I knew that Barbara, my children, and my parents were provided for in sizable trusts.