After some discussion the girls decided they wanted to do vocational courses. Jeri wanted auto mechanics and Cari wanted body work. True to his word, CC paid the fees for the schooling. He never told the girls Randy had enough and then some to send them had they asked.
Just before the girls classes were to end, CC received a panic stricken phone call from them early in the morning. It was all he could do to make out what they were saying through the tears. He finally understood Randy had a heart attack and died during the night. They’d discovered him dead when Cari went into his bedroom to wake him because he didn’t come out for breakfast. Upon hearing the news, CC jumped from bed, dressed, and was out of the house in a flash heading for his uncle’s old house and the crying girls.
It fell to CC to make all the arrangements and support the girls while they grieved. His father could have done it and, indeed, he helped and gave advice but the girls seemed to turn to him for the help. Since he worked for Randy and was self employed as a writer he had more time to do those unpleasant tasks as well.
Several days after the services the family gathered in Randy’s attorney’s office for the reading of the will. CC’s father, Randy’s brother, received a substantial cash bequest but the shocker was the disposition of the remainder of the estate. The entire estate not bequeathed to CC’s father, was in a trust fund set up for the girls and Cecil. The girls received 20% each and Cecil received the remainder. Cecil was the supervising trustee. Each would receive their pro rata share at age 25.
During the proceedings, each girl and Cecil was given a letter from Randy. The letters were very similar. Randy did write, in a letter read to everyone, “I love each of you three kids (I know, at your age you really aren’t kids but that’s how I still think of you so sue me) as if you were my own children. You’ve been much better to me than many men’s own progeny. Girls, I know you love CC and I believe he loves you. It is my wish you girls continue to live in my old house, occupying your rooms until you see fit to move or you manage to catch CC and talked him into more than friendship. The house is to be under CC’s control and his primary residence, however, should he decide to move into it. I know he’s always liked the old place and, since he’s the manager of the business now, it’s only fitting he have primary residence there.
“Girls, CC and the Trust Company have control of your share of the trust until such time as you graduate college or turn 25 years of age. You may withdraw no more than the monthly income of your share of the trust each month, subject to approval of the trustees AND after your approved monthly expenses are met, including education expenses. Upon obtaining a Bachelors degree from an accredited 4 year institution or attaining age 25, you may continue receiving the pro rata share of the trust income and pay your own living expenses, or you may withdraw your entire remaining share of the trust, never to be due anything further from the fund.”
After reading the letter to everyone, he gave each of the parties a copy of it and their personal letter from Randy. He then leaned back in his chair and said, “I’m not sure any of you know the extent of Mr. Rodgers holdings. Cecil, since you are now primary trustee and manager of the business, you’ll become very familiar with them quickly. In brief, the trust owns the Salvage yard, house, interests in two small businesses nearby–Sonny’s Fuel Stop and Terry’s Auto Parts. Additionally, the largest holding is the Riverside Country Club.”
CC and the girls gasped at that revelation. Cari said, “You’re kidding! Daddy always made fun of them and complained about the waste of land, time and money that went into that place.”
“No, I’m not kidding. You’re right, Mr. Rodgers did dislike the club and had limited respect for many of the members. He always laughed at the amount ‘those idiots’ as he called them, paid him every month for the privilege of playing silly games and telling each other how much better than the peons they were. He always demanded everything he could every time the lease on the land came up for renewal and cackled when he saw the bank deposits.”
CC and the girls returned to the business after the meeting and sat in Randy’s (now CC’s) office. There were occasional tears and periods of silence while they discussed the future. CC did ask, at one point, “Well, you each probably have enough income to go to college now instead of work here in the businesses. I know its too soon to make a decision but think about what you want for your future. I need to spend a lot of time going through the books and records. I had no idea just how much property and how many businesses Randy owned. I thought the salvage yard was his only income and always wondered how he lived so well on it.
“I also want to do a major renovation of the old house it that’s ok with you two. That could be a beautiful house again even considering its proximity to the salvage yard here. I think there’s enough vegetation between them the yard won’t detract from what I would like to do to it.”
CC spent many hours going through the books, paperwork and meeting with various people involved in business ventures Randy (now the trust) was involved in. He took great delight in studying the documents on the country club. He found the lease on the club was a very substantial amount each year, installments payable monthly. Additionally, should the club default on the payments, the entire set up including the buildings paid for by the club would revert ownership back to the trust. Any beneficiary of the trust had a complimentary full membership to the club as well.