"Now this is my proposition to the four of you, within a year, I will return and view these businesses, if the business grows, I will give each of you the small business you are managing.
But you will have to continue managing it for another year before completely owning it. Then if the business that Uncle Thomas gives you to manage is progressing?
Then you also own that which I will give you the deeds and transfer it to you. Now any failure will be your loss.
I am doing my path as fairness goes to the family. So at the end of two years, you will be owning your own business and that goes to Julien and Shantel as well."
They notice she wave the deeds as she slips a few documents aside, "Now don't get too comfortable.
From what I see here, the four children get three percent of all profit from all the business, that has been going into a trust fund, to be released when they finish their full education."
Turning towards Uncle Thomas, "Now I want Uncle Thomas to raise that to five percent, and I am requesting that three new unnamed trust funds be open.
These three will go to all the other children in the family including my children, Shantel, and Julien.
But for now, there is only one child per family. This has been a family business and it is going to remain this way, like it or not our parents made sacrifices and no business will be sold."
Thomas sees her going through the deeds putting aside the four that her brothers and sister get to manage. Also, the three and two, Julien and Shantel had, the four for the one year deal with her brothers and sisters.
When she said, "Uncle Thomas seeing that you are my trustee,' placing the four remaining deeds in front of him.
"These four are my business, my proposition to you is, I am giving you twenty-five percent of the profit from my business. I don't know what was the original deal between, you dad, and Uncle Ken."
Seeing him scribble something on a paper, Now as my trustee, you know I won't be here, so I want you to seek my interest.
Now, I am asking you to hire an advising accountant to, overseer the entire business. And every three to six months I will visit and check the business,"
"Shawney, I already hire an accountant."
"I need an adviser to assist you to push the business forward, I am also asking if at any time the business I place in their charge is failing, take it back immediately and assigned new managers.
At the end of one year, no one blames me the same after two years. Now I am tired and need to get some rest, anything else you all can contact me at my home."
Placing all the documents into the envelope and ask excuse then leave. Knowing everyone was staring her down, but I just need to drop in a bed, and I pass the stage of caring.
Thomas notices their faces, Joan's mouth was open staring at her, when she was out of sight, Thomas heard her brothers and sisters saying, "After the way we treated her, she still loves us so much?"
"Now do you see why they trust her to be the custodian over the business?"
"Oh, Uncle Thomas we have really treated her so badly, Sid said, "I am so sorry and ashamed for my behavior."
"Sid, you don't have to tell me that, you have to tell your sister, she is the one you all hurt."
"I don't know where to start."
"Well, you all could start with sorry, that should help."
"Thank you, Uncle Thomas."
Reaching home Shawney slips out her shoes and walk up the stairs, to her room, she closes the door and sits on the bed.
Removing all the deeds from the envelope. "Lord how is it they own so many businesses, and they never revealed it to the family?"
Feeling her eyes burning and her eyelids heavy, pushing aside all the deeds and lie down.
Whispering a word of pray knowing that Torren and the children will be here in the morning. "Lord thank you for sending Mr. Mac Carty to me.
I never thought Uncle will also die and leave me, bring Torren and the children safely to me.
You know he is still not completely well, and thank you for giving me the wisdom and the boldness to make those swift decisions. In Jesus' name amen.
****
Torren taking up all the documents from the bed reading each seeing her name. In a small envelope on the bed head, he took out the document seeing the dead certificate of her Uncle.
Placing all inside the big envelope resting it on top of the table near the window.
Then went and took a bath, dad had the two children, going to his room helping him to freshen up the children then went with them for dinner.
Hearing dad saying how much they have expanded the business. 'Do you know son, when I first came here, this is exactly how I visualized this business to be.
But they have added the gym room, the mini-mart and the play area for the children. Also they securing the pool."
"Dad, only one thing missing."
"And what is that son?"
"Dad, this place more look like a beach resort, so if there's a beach around a nice small boutique will fit in perfectly."
"Well, I don't know if there's a beach but you are right," Noticing the children's eyes closing, we carry them up to dad's room.
When they were asleep, Torren thank his dad once more for coming, and bid him a good night.
Closing the door Torren went and lie down next to her, thinking she might wake up, but he was so tired himself he fell asleep immediately.
Waking early hearing her calling his name, taking her in his arms hearing her saying, "How much she loves him."