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“Basically, but she would have to become their caregiver and make all the hard decisions where they’re concerned when the time comes,” he explains.
That makes sense.
“Well, she definitely sounded up to it when I made the suggestion,” I tell him.
“Good. That will make everything a lot easier. Once that’s done, it’s just a matter of ending their lease and moving them back. We could probably have the entire process done in the next couple of weeks, depending on the state of their house.”
“I’ll find time to get over there and look at everything,” I say.
“If you want any help, just say the word,” he offers.
It’s funny. Rob would have always been the first to offer his help in the past. He never once seemed to worry about how that might be perceived by others. But now, with our situation having changed somewhat, it’s as if he doesn’t want to step on my toes. I should tell him he doesn’t have to worry about it, but I know he will. I’ll just have to let him work through it. In time, we’ll find our new normal.
“Thanks,” I say.
“So, I don’t want to keep you too long, but I want to run this idea by you,” he starts.
I lean against the hood of my car, folding my arms over my chest, and face him.
“Well, when our dad passed the torch to me and Thompson, we became co-owners. I handled the racers, and he handled the rest. We liked it that way,” he says, staring off into the distance as he recalls the memory.
“After… everything happened… it was just easier to let him call the shots and remain in the background. I felt like shit, and the guilt weighed on me, and… I don’t know, I figured it was the least I could do.
“I got paid the same as always, and Thompson was happy. Well, happy-ish. So, I didn’t see any reason for further upsetting the balance.”
I shake my head, biting the inside of my cheek as I listen. I can’t imagine just sitting back and letting someone else control my business. Even if they did share it, letting my dad call the shots all these years sounds like it’s been one of the main contributing factors to his inflated sense of self.
“He has absolutely hated having me hang on to the company, though,” he rubs the back of his neck, and it's easy enough to see that this bothers him. “But I don’t love the company the way that he does, and frankly, I don’t think our dad would care too much for the way he’s running things either.”
“So, what’s your plan?” I ask.
“I’m going to let him buy me out,” he says.
“What?” I shout, louder than I mean to.
Kane’s racing brings in seven-figures a year, easily. My parents have never wanted for anything. The same has gone for Rob and his family. The fact that he’s willing to give all of that up either means he’s gone crazy, or that he has one hell of an idea. I’m hoping for the latter.
“Listen, you said you wanted out, and I’m all for that. But you were born and bred on racing. You know it as well as I do at this point. So, why not put that to good use?” he says.
“What are you suggesting?” I ask.
“That we start our own family business,” he says, his eyes twinkling with something I don’t think I’ve ever seen in him before. Passion. Real, true passion.
“Okay…” I say, rolling the idea around in my mind.
“You don’t have to race if you don’t want to. I know that hasn’t really been your thing lately. But we could hire a couple of guys, and build something worth being proud of,” he says.
“Okay, but why sell your share of Kane’s?” I ask.
“For the same reason you want to leave,” he shrugs his shoulders, but I understand. Severing ties completely is the only way to move forward.
“What if he doesn’t want to sell? I already told him I quit, so he’ll know something’s up. He won’t want to make it easy for you,” I tell him.
“Isn’t that the truth,” he sighs. “But if he doesn’t want to take my offer, then I’ll tell him I’m selling to someone else. He doesn’t want anyone else coming in and trying to run shit, so whether he want to or not, he’ll buy me out.”
The man is a genius. No question about it.
I laugh, “That’s perfect. He’ll be so pissed, and yeah, I know that isn’t the goal, but I’ll accept it as a small consolation prize for the last few years.”
