The alarm I set for myself was because i had an 8 am meeting with the family lawyer, business manager, my fathers business associate and a few other people in my fathers company. They were reluctant to have me in the meeting but my mother was in no state to handle this. She had taken a sedative about an hour after the news and I given strict instructions that any calls or people would be directed to me. She was to be left alone in her room with someone checking on her every hour on the hour. I had planned to spend half an hour with her before I had to go for my meeting.
My two siblings, John and Christine, were just in their early teens so the news hit them pretty hard. I made arrangements for our favorite aunt to fly in from the coast to watch over them and her sister, my mother. She showed some concern for me but I told her I will have my moments after, she supposed to land at midday.
No matter what anyone says, its hard to dress a pimply faced 17 year old for a power meeting but I did my best. Dark grey suit, white shirt, maroon tie with black shoes. My father bought my brother and I every year to make sure we always had something for weddings, funerals, church or even the couple of times he had us sit through some of his business meetings. This one was bought right after my last growth spurt so it fit perfectly. The driver stiffened up when i walked the front steps and addressed me by my surname which was odd to me for a moment but it reinforced the task at hand.
I got to the building that bore my fathers name 15 minutes to time, my fathers secretary was waiting for me at the door and she led me straight to the executive elevator straight to the 35th floor. My fathers office s occupied the top 5 floors. He really built the building so he didn't have to pay anyone rent, his primary passion was in homes both affordable and high end with most of his portfolio landing in the middle of the scale. I only know this from a couple of site visits he took my siblings and I through.
“Everyone else is already assembled in the board room” Said Ms. Koki, snapping me out of my day dream.
“Thank you, please direct any messages or letters meant for my mother to me. I will pass them to her when she is better” I responded, hoping my voice had some heir of authority
“Certainly sir” She said, understanding the change in our relationship.
As I was ushered into the board room, the air was heavy and for a moment I couldn’t breather. These men and women, about 11 in all were part of my fathers organization for at least the past 10 years with some having seen me in a stroller.
The company lawyer, who doubled up as my fathers private lawyer was the first to stand up and share my hand and lead me to my chair at the head of the table.
“Thank you for coming in today, especially in light of what has befallen our founder” He said, taking on a soft tone.
“That’s is okay, my father would have expected nothing less”. I responded, trying to act confident.
“I speak for everyone when i say, you father was a great man” he continued with nods and some ‘’here here’s’ from the group.
He continued into what i believe was a well rehearsed speech.
“Before he died he left a will and testament in two parts. The first part was meant to be read immediately after his death describing his last wishes for his funeral arrangements, this is the reason for this meeting today. The second will, is to be read at least a month after his death to allow for his funeral, a brief mourning period, time for his various holdings to respond to certain queries and beneficiaries to be notified to attend. You will all be furnished with a copy of the first part after this meeting. For now we shall read the summary”
I was somewhat relived that my father had though of this during his life, i didn’t have to immediately take up his responsibilities.
The speech continued.
“The first section of his will states.
I have seen death many a time in my life and have never enjoyed the circus that follows after. A stream of people coming to comfort the deceased family, each with their own motives. The family distraught trying to make sense of the meaning of life while at the same time trying to arrange a funeral. I do not wish the same on my family. With this in mind, instructions for my funeral have been attached to this letter and should be handed to Lee funeral home immediately after it has been read.
Payment of which shall be covered by a fund set specifically for that purpose and reviewed annually in case of changes in cost
”
He turned to the finance manager and handed him two envelopes
“One contains the funeral instructions and the second contains the account details, from these instructions you are a signatory of the account”
The finance manager opened it and compared with some details on his laptop and nodded in agreement.
“ I am to be buried in our family farm, next to my father. My son will now understand why I could never part with that property. It was the place my father cherished the most and in my older years I could never see my self rest anywhere else.”
He turned to me and so me hold back tears, he smiled almost telling me to stay strong.
“The people summoned to listen as my instructions are being read, apart from my direct family, are therefore instructed to maintain order in my companies during the next month. My second will is to be read on the first Monday, 30 days after my demise.”
After his speech, he folded the letter and handed it to me. I looked at it and it was n my fathers handwriting . He then turned to the rest of the gathering and said.
“Letters to his holdings, business associates , beneficiaries and regulatory agencies will be sent out by end of day today as per his wishes. I believe we have all the instructions we need for now, let’s proceed to honor our founder ”
He took a pause to look at everyone around the table and I did too, most of them looked down while others looked straight out the wall to wall windows.
Feeling the meeting was over, I stood up and said “I would Iike to say a few words before we disperse, my father spent every waking minute he could building this company. All I know about him is through the lens he created of this company so until its decided who will be running it I request you to keep running true. Thank you for your messages and my mother who couldn’t be here is also thankful”
I tuned around and walked out with the lawyer and the company secretary in tow.
I couldn’t believe it but i already knew what I would be doing for the rest of my life, it wasn’t a thought I expected to have but I was going to run my fathers company.
