John Clayton and Jack Reilly were sitting in their golf cart, in line, waiting to tee off on the 18th hole of Medinah #3. Medinah is a private course with invitation only membership and Jack sponsored John's membership. They were playing John's first round as a full member.
John was, at the time, a 25 year old investment banking whiz kid. He met Jack 3 years before at a Whisky tasting event and convinced him to give him a shot to earn Jack's portfolio. Jack took a liking to the young John and gave him a shot. In the three years they've known each other, John had increased Jack's already substantial wealth by 20%. They became regular golf buddies and friends in that short amount of time.
"John, you should come to the house today for lunch. Alice is whipping up her famous potato salad and we can throw some burgers on the grill. I have a bottle of Macallan 25 year Sherry Oak I'm dying to open and need an excuse."
John laughed and said, " You had me at Alice's potato salad, but the Scotch is a deal maker. I'm not sure we'll make it in time for dinner, let alone lunch, with this back up holding us down though."
Jack smiled and said, "Yeah, but look around son. There's no finer place to be stuck waiting. This course is beautiful and now that you're a member, you can enjoy it anytime."
"You bet, and I can't thank you enough for pulling strings for me. I know they weren't excited by a 25 year old, punk kid applying."
Jack laughed and said, "C'mon, I could make a strong case that you take life and business more seriously than I do and certainly more so than when I was you're age. I certainly didn't have your net worth at your age."
"I suppose, but I've always been a bit above the fray. I'm just too goal oriented and I have every intention of not wasting my 20's partying. I'd rather retire earlier and live well than work longer. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a workaholic; I have made myself quite a life already, picking stocks like I do, and I fully intend to enjoy the finer things. In fact my next goal is to find a good wife and start a family. I just worry about gold diggers."
"Well, you can avoid gold diggers by keeping your finances close to the vest. You live in a nice but modest house and drive a nice car, but you're certainly not showy. You can keep your money secret until you know you've found the right one. Hell, even then you can keep your money hidden. I could show you some tricks if you'd like."
"Thanks Jack. I'll take you up on that. Come on, we're next on the tee."
**********
Jack's wife Alice and their daughter Ann were chopping veggies and preparing the side dishes for lunch. Alice is in her late 40's and could pull of being Ann's older sister rather than her mother. Ann is 22 and fresh out of college.
"Mother, I don't mind helping out, but I'm going to go shopping. I have no desire to meet one of dad's stuffy friends. There's no reason for me to hang around with the old people."
"Old people! Watch it missy, I'm not even 50 yet. Your father wants you to have lunch with us and you will do so. You came home only three times after you left for school and now have been back for a week and he's hardly seen you. Besides, I know John and you'll be pleasantly surprised. He's under 30 and gorgeous."
"Oh! I get it now. You're setting me up. Well, I have no desire to date anyone so you're wasting your time. I am young and have no desire to be tied down just yet," Ann replied tersely.
"Well you better not think you can come home and continue to act like you did at school," Alice said.
"What are you talking about, Mother?"
"What? You thought we didn't know about your partying and the trouble you got into at school? Your father and I kept tabs on you and even wrote a check or two to keep you from serious trouble. You think the school didn't let us know you were about to be expelled for that hazing incident? You think we didn't know that you spent half your time there hungover and the other half drunk? We argued about it, but decided to let you get it out of your system and now is the time to settle down and join the real world. Get a job. Find a husband. Give me grandbabies."
"You're unbelievable, Mother. I will settle down when I am ready to, and not one moment sooner. You'll need to wait a long time for YOUR grandbabies."
"Enough now, Ann. They'll be here soon. We'll discuss your future later."
*******
John stopped to pick up some flowers for Alice and an expensive bottle of Pinot Grigio to have with lunch. As he pulled in the drive he could smell the coals burning, so he walked around to the back of the huge house.
Jack and Alice have a huge back deck area with three levels, a concrete patio surrounding a large in-ground pool and hot tub, a perfectly manicured landscape design and garden, and a four seasons room that has it's own climate control. His grill is nothing short of amazing. It is both gas and coal/wood burning with a cooking surface as large as John's ever seen. Jack loves to cook and he loves to have backyard barbecues at least once a month.
"Hey Jack, you back here?"
"Yeah John, come on up. Oh, you'd better take those flowers into Alice. She's gonna love 'em. I'll introduce you to Ann too. She's home from college all graduated up."
"Sounds good. It's funny that I haven't met her yet. I always thought you were hiding her away. You've never really talked much about her."
"Well, she didn't come home much from school, but she's back now so come on, I'll introduce you."
"John," shouted Alice. "How are you? Oh are those for me? Ann grab a vase and come in here."
"Hi, Alice," John said, handing her the flowers and kissing her cheek. "Thanks for having me over, I'm looking forward to some of your famous potato salad."
"You're in for a treat then. Ann and I made a big batch and I'm sending some home with you."
At that moment Ann walked in and caught John's eye. He was immediately stricken by her. She was stunning with long brown hair in a pony tail, tall in flat sandals, decently endowed breasts, long legs showcased by tastefully short shorts, and a narrow waist. Her lips were full and her eyes were a sharp blue. She wore no make up and didn't need it. Her high cheek bones and perfectly proportioned nose made her look as if she could have stepped off a runway in Paris.
She took notice of John as well. Tall and well built, with brown hair that was a bit long but still fashionable. She couldn't help but notice the size of his hands when they were introduced and wondered if he packed a good sized sword in his khaki shorts.
"You must be John. I'm Ann, welcome to the Reilly family set up."
John laughed and said, "Nice to finally meet you. I wasn't aware you were home until five minutes ago so, I assure you, I'm not in on it."
Ann shrugged and walked away to put her mother's flowers in water.
Jack said, "Hey, come on out and help with the grill, John. Alice, can you and Ann set up the sides and table setting? It won't take that long to cook up the meats."
John and Jack cracked beers and stood in front of the grill enjoying the sun. Jack never let anyone cook at his house, but enjoyed having company while he fiddled with the burgers and veggie skewers.
"What do you think, John? She's a looker huh?"
"She's lovely, and I guess she's right. This is a set up hmm?
"Oh, don't be like that. Think of it as nothing more than an introduction. The rest is up to you kids."
Ann had come out with table ware and John couldn't take his eyes off of her. Alice opened the sliding door with some side dishes and noticed right away. She smiled inwardly and thought everything was going according to plan on John's end, now Ann needs to get with the program. Certainly someone as steady as John would be the perfect one to settle Ann down. She could certainly do worse than the handsome and rich upstart. Alice herself harbored a little crush on the young friend of Jack's and Jack always got a little bit of extra spice in bed on days John came around.
Ann looked up and noticed John watching her. She smiled flirtatiously and said, "Hey sport, take a picture..."
"It'll last longer," finished John. "I just might ya know."
Ann gave a bit of extra wiggle as she went back into the house. Alice followed her in and asked, "What do you think of John?"
Ann sighed and said, "He's cute."
"Cute?" Alice shrieked. "I have to change my panties twice every time he comes over and smiles at me."
"Mother! God..."
"Oh stop it. I may be older but I'm not dead."
