Chapter 22
As they put their coats on Bob told them that Hans had pulled the car around front. As they walked out the door Ann was expecting to see the Jeep Commander station wagon that Bob usually drove. The only car in front of the house was a Range Rover.
"Are we going to take the Range Rover?" Ann asked.
Bob called Brenda's name and tossed her the keys, "You drive. I'll navigate tonight."
Bob let Ann get in front and slid in the back seat. Brenda started the car and they pulled out of the driveway. Bob directed them to the road that would lead to the restaurant.
"This car drives nice," Brenda said, "It isn't... you know."
"No it isn't armored," Bob laughed, "I got it for you to take back to college with you. It's a company car. There's a gas card in the glove box. Find a gas station that will do any repairs that you might need in Cleveland and put your gas, oil changes and repairs on the gas card."
Brenda looked at him in the rear view mirror, "Are you serious?"
Ann turned, "Bob, she doesn't need a car."
"Yes she does," Bob replied, "Right after New Years you and I going to have to go to South America for two weeks. Brenda is going to have to drive back to college by herself. I'll give her money for expenses. Besides, it will make it easier on you; not having to run up to Cleveland to pick her up every time she wants to come home. Maybe she'll be able to get home more often."
Bob saw Brenda hit the steering wheel, smile and say "yes." Ann looked at Bob trying to figure out if he was serious or not.
"I can fly her back to Cleveland. You don't have to provide her with a car."
"Look Ann, I know the IRS would take a dim view of this but this is what I'm going to do. Brenda will have the company car as a demonstrator. She'll show it at college and try to sell armored Range Rovers to the college students. That way I can deduct the total costs of the car. I can't help it if none of the students want to buy an armored car."
Ann looked at him like he was crazy and he grinned, "I know it sounds crazy but that's the best that I could think of."
Brenda laughed, "Don't argue with the man Mom. If he wants to give me a car, let him."
"After you graduate and can put M.D. behind your name, we'll get you a car in your own name."
Bob directed them into the parking lot of the restaurant. Brenda parked the car and they got out and started toward the entrance.
The hostess greeted them and took them to their table. Bob ordered a bottle of wine for Ann and himself and Brenda said that she only wanted an iced tea.
"Only iced tea?" Ann said, "You won't be twenty until May."
"Don't worry Mother. I don't drink. I don't like the taste of the stuff."
"Order whatever you want ladies. This is on the management."
They had a leisurely dinner and then sat for a while talking. During dinner and after dinner several people stopped by their table to talk to Bob.
Bob drank the last of his coffee, "Are you ladies done for the evening or would you like to see the private club that we have down stairs?"
"You have a private club too?" Brenda asked wide eyed.
"Let's check out the club ladies. I haven't seen it since it's been finished."
Bob led them to a hallway. At the end of the hallway a man stood guarding the door. He apparently recognized Bob because he opened the door for them as soon as they neared the door. The music could be heard coming from downstairs as soon as the door opened.
As they walked into the club Ann saw that it was done in the Gay 90s style with a lot of brass and velvet. There was a large bar and tables placed around a large dance floor. All of the waitress wore Gay 90s uniforms. Everything was ultra plush.
Brenda looked around amazed at the opulence, "Wow, how much does it cost to belong to this club?"
"It cost twenty thousand dollars to join the club which entitles you golf and the restaurant, dues are sixteen hundred dollars a year and to join this private club costs an additional eight hundred dollars a year. To become a member with privileges to the downstairs club, you have to belong to the golf club."
"This is a gold mine," Brenda exclaimed.
Bob laughed, "You should see the mortgage on this place. There's not much left over after the bills are paid."
"Why did you build it then?" Brenda asked.
"Well, any time that I want to take two beautiful women to dinner I have a nice restaurant to take them to. Really though, we're building equity. The club isn't costing us any more cash out of pocket now and the bills are getting paid. We feel that the value of the club can only increase over the years. I we ever decide to sell that's when we'll see the real value of our investment."
"Do you play golf?" Ann asked.
"I've never played golf in my life."
Bob saw the question in their eyes, "It's an investment. With land values going up the way they are in this area and the demand for quality golf facilities, this is a "can't miss" investment. I don't think we would have been able to build this club if one of the partners hadn't owned the land. We've already had discrete inquiries about selling. I'll insist on remaining a member of the club and the downstairs club if we do sell."
A young man about Brenda's age came to the table, "Good evening Mr. Long. We haven't seen you in a while. Have you been traveling?"
Bob looked over and saw Brenda's eyes light up, "Brenda, Ann this Todd Burton. His father is one of my partners in this club. Todd's father is one of our most prominent citizens. I understand that Todd is going to be a lawyer one of these days. Sit down a minute Todd."
The young man sat down next to Brenda and Bob saw that Brenda was enthralled with the good looking young man. Bob started asking how Todd's studies were going and the young man was very polite and seemed to be very interested in Brenda.
After several minutes of conversation, Todd stood up, "Would you like to dance Brenda?"
Brenda smiled and almost jumped out of her seat and took his arm and walked out on the dance floor with Todd. The dance was a fast one that young people like and they seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Bob saw the concerned look on Ann's face, "I asked Todd's father if he would have Todd meet us at the club. I didn't think that it would be too much fun for Brenda, spending the evening with two old people like us."
Ann looked at Bob with an amused look, "Watch who you're calling old. I haven't hit the big four O yet."
"I know. You'll be in South America for your big 4-0 birthday. We just might have to celebrate your birthday with Brenda before she goes back to college."
"How did you..."
Bob interrupted her, "I have access to the personnel records, remember?"
Brenda and Todd Came back to the table, "Todd's going to Harvard. If he can get his law degree from Harvard he'll be set for life."
"Well, I hope he's as good as his father. Todd's father is my personnel lawyer as well as my partner in this venture."
Brenda leaned over and whispered to Bob, "Can Todd come over the house tomorrow?"
Bob smiled, "Todd's a fine horseman too. Tell him to come over and he can ride one of my horses while you get familiar with Miss Betty. In fact, your mother and I will be getting the Christmas stuff out of the shed, so why don't you ask Todd to take you to the tack shop and get the tack that you need; they know you're coming. I told them to make sure that you get everything that you need. Have you decided on what saddle you want?"
Brenda nodded, "A western saddle is the only thing that looks right on a Tennessee Walker."
Bob danced a couple more dances with Ann. Every time that he looked at Brenda she was either dancing with Todd or they had their heads together at the table.
Ann was started to get quiet, "Are you getting tired?"
Ann nodded, "Brenda's having a good time. I don't want to keep her from her fun."
Bob Asked, "Would you mind taking a cab back to the farm? We can let Brenda stay until she's ready to call it a night."
Ann smiled and nodded. They told Brenda what they were doing and Bob went upstairs to call a cab to take them back to the farm.
On the way back to the farm Ann turned to Bob, "I want to thank you for what you're doing for Brenda, although it isn't necessary. We never even talked about a car. Brenda knew how much it was going to cost to get her through college and med school so she never brought it up. It will help me out; not having to drive up to Cleveland every time that she wants to come home for a while."
Bob put his arm around her and pulled her close, "I really enjoy helping her. She's a very nice person; I guess she takes after her mother."
Ann smiled up at him, "I hope she doesn't turn out like me."
Bob squeezed her and she looked ahead and watched as they traveled the country road. When they pulled into the farm's driveway Ann had fallen asleep on Bob's shoulder. He gently woke her up and then paid the driver and held her arm as they walked to the house.
"Ann, would you like a drink to help you sleep?"
Ann shook her head. She walked to Bob and put her hand behind his head and kissed him.
As she pulled away she said, "I'm not going to apologize for that. You didn't have to apologize in Paris either."
She told Bob goodnight and went up to her room.