Page 59 of Big Britches
Thirteen
“I don’t know. It’s taken us—what—almost five years to build this? We’re finally making decent profits and now you want to sell?”
“I know. I know. But it’s a LOT of money, T.”
Titus was on the phone with Alden Abernathy, his friend, business partner, and former quarterback.
“And you’re ready to just cut loose that easy?” Titus asked. “Walk away from it all?”
“It’s Kinko’s. They’re huge, and they have really deep pockets. We could take some of the money and start another business. Maybe home inspections? Appraisals? You used to talk about opening a bar.”
Titus reclined in his office chair, the phone cord stretching with him. “There’s not much money in running a bar. Besides, who knows when Spoon will ever get liquor by the drink?”
“What about Maria’s? They serve beer and margaritas.”
“That’s Morehead. I’d have to pull some strings with my dad to do it here. And you know I don’t like leaning on him.”
“Yeah, yeah. I get it. Big Britches and all.”
Titus smiled. Alden knew him well.
“There’s something I haven’t told you, T.”
“Is it the reason you’re champing at the bit to sell?”
“Kinda.” Alden chuckled nervously. “Sheila’s pregnant. Looks like it’s gonna be twins.”
“Congratulations. That’s wonderful news.”
“Thanks, buddy.”
“And you’re worried about starting a family.”
“A sizable nest egg of Kinko’s cash would ease my anxiety, I assure you.”
Titus thought about it. His father had co-signed a business loan with them to get the capital to open a small copy business when he and Alden graduated. They had started with two Xerox machines in a tiny space on the square, near the courthouse.
It had been Alden’s idea to outsource and offer custom printing. Quick Pass Copy and Printing Services had grown ever since. Now, they printed everything, from business cards and wedding invitations to posters and vinyl graphics. They even did billboards.
“You really haven’t worked here in a while, T.”
That stung because it was true. Once Violet became ill, Alden had seen less and less of him. Now, she’d been dead for two years and Titus still hadn’t returned. He’d settled into his hermit lifestyle, consulting occasionally as a silent partner, and letting Alden run the show without him.
“I do like the idea of an appraisals business.”
“Really?” Alden asked, excited. “That was kind of at the top of my list, too.”
“If you really want to sell it, it should be your decision. I haven’t been there in so long that I probably wouldn’t even recognize the place.”
“Don’t beat yourself up. You’ve been through a lot. But, yeah, I’m kind of itching to try something different. And with a huge influx of money, I could live comfortably and have enough reserve to invest in something new. What do you say, T? Want to do it all over again?”
Titus thought about Pedro, and how much his life had improved since Pedro’s arrival. Might be fun to start another business with Alden too, and this time be more a part of it. Hell, they’d been partners for over a decade if you included football.
“OK,” he said. “I’m on board. To sell… I’m uncertain about an appraisal business just yet though. Let’s make a list of our top three ideas and meet. We’ll weigh the pros and cons and decide what would be best for both of us… and Spoon.”
“Fantastic. I’m so glad I called you.”
“Me too. I’ve been getting out more, by the way.”