#bethmahone

BEATRICE- “You want answers, then here they are. First of all, I believe that the sign outside my office says CEO, which last time I checked means, I AM THE BOSS here. I make the decisions. Secondly, I went to the board of directors, which by the way, you are member of. I had four meetings with them regarding the Founders Project, which you were not at attendance to any of those meetings. They approved this project unanimously, minus one missing vote...YOURS! I handpicked Elizabeth for the head of the real estate division because she is the most capable person I know to run it, and she comes to work EVERY DAY! She has already secured one buyer, at a gain of 10,000 and is meeting a second potential buyer tonight.!  I have not seen or heard from you since the reading of your father’s will. You have not returned any of my calls, or any from the Board President from my understanding. SO, you need to leave my office, and go to yours, and if I were you either contact the board of directors and give your reasons for your ineptness these last three months or start PACKING YOUR OFFICE!! Now get out Simon!”

SIMON- “You haven’t heard the last of this!  Either one of you!”

BEATRICE- “No I am sure we haven’t. and to be honest, it will be interesting to see what and where you have been the last three months, Simon. Make sure the door is closed on your way out, Please.”

Later that evening mother met Daniel and Ian Hartmann along with their son, Perry at the home where her mother grew up. She had never been to the house prior to getting it ready to sell. They had cleaned it up a little, but it still was far from habitable.

BETH- “Good evening, glad you all you could make it. There is electricity so we can take a quick tour.”

DANIEL- “Thanks for meeting us here. I know this was last minute, but I really wanted Ian to see the place.”

IAN- “So how long has this place been vacant?”

BETH- “Unfortunately about 30 some years. So the work that needs to be done is quite extensive. But at the price we are asking for it, you can get a renovation loan to do the work that needs to be done and still be above budget.”

DANIEL- “Anything beats renting, for sure.”

BETH- “Okay then let’s go inside and look around.”

(Old Molly House by @kazuaru​)

SIMON- “This is crazy!!  Starting a complete new division to sell our own properties!!??  At a loss no less. On top of that, you went to the city and worked out tax abatements for these new owners!!?? I demand answers!!”

BEATRICE- “Simon, if I were you, I would change my tone about right now.”

SIMON- “First father, now you!!??  Do you want me to leave this company?  Is that what you are trying to do? If so you are doing a damn good job mother. You bring in Beth, who failed as a wife and a real estate agent, and you are letting her seventeen year old son dictate policy and make decisions around here like he is some business God!?”

BEATRICE- “Simon? I think you should leave this office right now.”

BETH- “The main floor is quite large, and a couple of the builders we have on contract has said that most of these interior walls can be knocked out to give you a more open floor plan down here. There is a full basement as well.”

PERRY- “It stinks in here.”

DANIEL- “Perry, please. the house has been vacant for over thirty years of course it is going to smell.”

IAN- “So how is the plumbing and electricity? Is it all going to have to be redone?”

BETH- “Yes, most likely. Once you decide if you want to go forward with the project we will have an inspection done for you at no cost, as part of the project renovation. Ainsworth Real Estate is wanting to insure all the residents here in Founder’s Cove that we are committed to bringing this neighborhood back to it’s potential.”

DANIEL- “So there are two bedrooms and one bath upstairs, could an en suite be added to the master bedroom?”

BETH- “I am sure, the master bedroom is quite large actually. Let’s take a look.”

IAN- “I don’t know Daniel this looks like a lot of work.”

DANIEL- “That is why we pay someone else to do it all, Ian. So is the builders local?”

BETH- “Yes, Dawson Brothers is from here and are quite good and Fisher Builders is also a contracted building company contracted for these projects. I can set up a meeting with both of them. They can see what you have envisioned then prepare blueprints and then choose between the two as to which one you like. Before we go upstairs, let’s take a look out back. There is a nice size yard back there. It does need some cleanup, though.”

IAN- “Clean up is an understatement. This is like a junk yard.”

DANIEL- “Easily fixed, let’s look upstairs. I need to see the size of the bedrooms.”

After looking at the bedrooms upstairs, Daniel was ready to put in an offer.

DANIEL- “Okay Ms. Mahone, I really like what I see here. When can we place an offer?”

IAN- “Shouldn’t we discuss this first Daniel?”

DANIEL- “Of course, that is why I am not putting an offer tonight, I just need to know how much time we have.”

BETH- “I have another family coming by tomorrow evening to take a look, but if you want it, I would need to know before 6:00 pm tomorrow, or there would be a bidding war so to speak, best offer gets the contract.”

BEFORE

AFTER

SEVERAL MONTHS LATER

The Old Molly House ( @kazuaru​) was re-envisioned by Daniel and Ian and the work completed by Colt Dawson and his team of builders. After the construction and decorating they invited Beth Mahone back for a small dinner to thank her for her help in acquiring the property.

Later that night, after all the drama subsided and as I was getting ready to go for my evening run, my mother texted me, asking me to come to her room. I knew she was concerned about me and everything that happened at the will reading, but she hadn’t talked to me about it. I knew this was her reason for asking me to her room so that Grandmother wouldn’t be aware of our conversation.

DEACON- “I know what you are going to say, mother.”

BETH- “You do, huh?  Okay, what am I going to say?”

DEACON- “That I shouldn’t think on all of this too much and focus on being a kid and getting out of high school and getting into college.”

BETH- “Yeah, that is part of it. But there is something else I want to talk about.  I think you should be aware of. Come over here and have a seat.”

 As I sat down, I could smell her perfume, she always wore that same thing. I can remember as a child knowing she was coming into my room because I could smell her before she opened my door. It had a calming effect on me then and does to this day. Mother has always been my biggest fan and support. I knew this would always be the case.

BETH- “Deacon, you know that my mother is not one of my favorite people, and we have never really seen things eye to eye, but there is something you may not realize. Father was not a business man, Deacon. Sure he had the title as CEO and it was his money and his family business, but from day one, Mother has called the shots. Ainsworth Enterprises is today what it is because of mother.”

DEACON- “Then why didn’t Grandfather leave it to her, why me?”

BETH- “In essence he did leave it to her, as she will oversee everything until you are old enough to take over and after your degree. But until then, you need to listen to her regarding the company. And watch her, learn from her, Deacon.”

DEACON- “I have been told that she controlled Grandfather and that I should watch out for her.”

BETH- “Oh I am not saying to not do that, as you should once you step into the business, but as long as she is alive, she will be vital to the workings of the company. Just do not let her take control, but do learn from her. Mother has the business sense, but she definitely does not have any people skills.”

DEACON- “Thanks, Mom. I will most certainly learn all I can from her.  I am going to take my evening run before it get’s too late.”

A FEW WEEKS LATER...

BEATRICE- “So the first transaction has went off without a problem, the buyer, you said his name was Oliver?”

BETH- “Yes, Jacob Oliver, he is a law school student and the house he is purchasing is actually the two family on the corner. He said his grandfather or maybe great-grandfather built it. He wants to keep it as a rental property so we are waiting on bids from contractors and builders to see what they can do.”

BEATRICE- “Oh, yes, I remember his father, Al Oliver, he died some time back of lung cancer I believe. His father built it and Al made it into the two family and was renting it out. So, they are aware they have a year to complete the project, right?”

BETH- “Yes, and if not it reverts back to Ainsworth Real Estate, Inc. and there is a two year tax abatement as long as the units are all rented.”

BEATRICE- “There are only two units, and they are rented now, I think the Oliver boy lives downstairs. So is he going to find new tenants?”

BETH- “No my understanding is he is adding another floor which would add two more rental units. That is if we can contract a builder that can do all that within the amount of his loan.”

BEATRICE- “Industrious young man, I like that. Let’s hope things go according to plan. So any more interested buyers?”

BETH- “Yes, actually, your grandmother’s place has an interested buyer. A gay couple, Daniel and Ian Hartmann, Daniel is the Police Chief----”

BEATRICE- “Yes, I have met him. Wonderful man, and they have a son about Deacon’s age I think.”

BETH- “Yes, I believe so. I am meeting the three of them this evening.”

Suddenly Beatrice’s office doors swing open and Simon comes in, in an apparent rage...

BETH- “Mother, do not use my son as a pawn or something to toy with Simon. Deacon is highly intelligent and I am sure he was sincere if he told you that he wanted to learn from you. Do not pit him against Simon to get what you want. Deacon may be smart, but he is still only seventeen. The corporate world is vicious enough without you playing games.”

BEATRICE- “I am not playing games, Elizabeth. I am truly wanting to hear Deacon’s opinion on how we can develop this property and at the same time keep it in line financially with the residents. If he agrees with Simon, then so be it, but I doubt he will honestly. I just want to see.”

BETH- “So you are testing him, then?”

BEATRICE- “Yes, and I outright told him that. He didn’t seem concerned. I also think he is very able to handle your brother.”

BETH- “And what gives you that idea?”

BEATRICE- “Because he certainly handled me. Like I said the boy certainly knows how to communicate. Not to change the subject, but, what are your plans today?”

BETH- “I am going to the Hospital to meet with DaVonna. She wanted to know if I would be interested in working with the women’s auxiliary.”

BEATRICE- “Delightful. I do not care for my son’s wife, but the work that she does for Willow Creek Memorial is very important. I think you would be an asset to her and the Auxiliary.”

BETH- “Thanks for the vote of confidence, mother. And again, please be careful with Deacon. He may be smart and all, but he is also very sensitive.”