I tell her, "I love you."
She nods and kisses my other cheek. They leave and take off to tackle whatever needs tackling.
I call my lawyer ~0930. I wanted to double check on Christmas day preparations. She assured me that everything was ready. I asked for her ideas about how to get word of this scholarship idea to other family lawyers. She suggests that I organize a benefit/ dinner/ fundraiser to spread the word and accept donations to support the scholarship effort. If I decide to go that way, include lawyers, business leaders, and local politicians. She suggests that I contact the local Kiwanis, and Rotary clubs and pitch my idea to them and solicit suggestions from them as well. I thank her for her time and tell her I will talk to her in a few days. I'll need to remember to discuss a fundraiser with the school presidents.
I call the school presidents to verify our lunch date at Guido's. I look up the schools presidents to put a face with a name. Theresa - the tall one from the Vo-tech, and Louisa the Latina from the community college. I play in the big conference room with the bid package until it is time to go to Guido's. I arrive at 11:30 just to make sure I am the first one there. Theresa arrives about 11:45 and Louisa arrives about 5 minutes later. I stand and hold the chairs for the ladies when they arrive. We introduce ourselves and they both order a glass of wine. We make small talk about the unseasonably warm weather, the new semester starting up, Christmas, etc. After we place our food orders,
Then I start talking, "I recently became aware of a need that I had never thought about before and I want to help. There are many women that live in terrible marriages because they don't have a way out. It could be an abusive relationship, or infidelity. Many are alone, some with kids through no fault of their own. They could be widowed or divorced or abandoned."
Both women nod their heads.
Theresa speaks up, "Ron this is really a bigger problem than you might think. Not all women are in such precarious situations. Many women don't finish college or give up careers to tend to children or the wishes of the husband. But with divorce rates approaching and, in some places, exceeding 50%, The numbers of women that need a helping hand is extraordinary."
I continue, "I would like to subsidize a scholarship program. Call it a second chance scholarship for divorced or widowed women. Many of the women in these situations won't choose to start over with traditional college type education because their immediate need is employment to support themselves and children. Many of these women find themselves at the mercy of the service industry that only provides part time employment and none or very little benefits. They become the working poor and find themselves at or below the poverty line. In fact, they might have a higher standard of living if they qualified for government assistance. They must work multiple jobs to make ends meet while sacrificing time from their children. I believe you two women represent the best hope for many of these women. I want your help in organizing a fundraising event to get this started. I am sure that you ladies have contacts of various women's groups and organizations to spread the word about this opportunity should it come to fruition. I can only afford to contribute so much, as any individual or business. But in my mind, we should invite as many family lawyers, business leaders, civic and church leaders, politicians, and prominent citizens as we can. You guys probably have more experience in fundraising and more contacts than I do. I can spread the word and make speeches to civic groups and whomever to create interest. We can try to have it at the country club or perhaps a venue at one of your locations."
Louisa spoke up, "I love the sound of this concept, but it sounds pretty daunting."
"I agree," I say, "the first step is to draw a line in the sand and say we are going to do this when? Say around Valentine's day? Too soon? Then we need to secure a location and then start stumping and getting the word out and create a buzz. Contact local radio, local TV, maybe newsprint, put up flyers in business windows, etc. What do we need, drinks, a band, and some food.? Maybe later we get donations for a silent auction? I think that maybe the first year don't charge for tickets and then as this grows and this event becomes a hot item to see and be seen, then charge for tickets maybe. Who knows. I've seen it happen in other towns for other causes. I think that once I convince local business leaders and politicians about the value of this scholarship, better wages, increased tax revenue, and better standard of living for these women and their kids. The kids will benefit both financially and socially. Many underprivileged children are stunted socially either from a lack of opportunity because of finances or being embarrassed because of the economic situation. The community leaders will support this effort."
"Ron, you seem very committed to this. I am inspired sitting here just listening to you." Theresa said. "I think that we should start a committee immediately, with at least us three and a couple of more people to get the ball rolling. I think Valentine's Day is very aggressive, but a spring Gala say April or early May would be doable. I think we can use our staff for food prep. A spring gala would give more time for generating buzz and get a band. I do like the Valentine's idea but maybe next year we can move it to Valentine's Day."
Louisa interrupts, "Let's shoot for a May Day or a Cinco de Mayo theme, May 1st or the Saturday closest to May 1
st
. Ron, you be the buzz generator. Theresa, you take care of the food, and I'll take care of the music. Location, Location, Location. Let's each check on a location. Ron check with the country club, Theresa can check on availability of her campus facilities and I'll check on our facilities. Don't forget to check on occupancy and include room for a dance floor. Let's exchange contact information and let each other know about progress."
"Sounds like the ball is rolling," I say, "Lets meet say Jan 10
th
and see where we stand." Everyone nods in agreement. We exchange numbers, exchange goodbyes, and go our separate ways.
In the afternoon, I call three candidates for the schedulers position. I tell them a little about what I am looking for and the situation that my company is in. One of the candidates stand out in my mind. He had completed a construction project like the one I was going to bid on. His previous project was quite a bit larger. He was the #2 scheduler for that project and had played a major role in developing, tracking, and updating the schedule. He maintains working copies of all the schedules that he has worked on over the years. He believes his previous schedule could be easily adapted to my project.
I tell him about the bid package and how I had dissected it in the big conference room. In past jobs he said that would be what we called the war room, as that is how the battles were mapped out. I like the sound of that. I tell him about the bid process and that I want the schedule loaded with material costs and manpower costs. I want to use the schedule to come up with a project cost estimate and use that cost estimate as a major factor in my bid. I talk about the time constraints of the bid process and how I want a realistic estimate for manpower costs, material costs and project milestones.
He sounds confident that he can scale down an existing schedule that he has and that updating the material costs and manpower costs will be the biggest hurdle. He recommends that if he were to get the job, that I should invest in Project 6 (P6) software and license, mainly because that is the software that he is familiar with and that is what he used on previous schedules. He is checking my boxes left and right. We talk about him coming over for a final interview and I ask if he can bring a schedule so I could see some of his work. We agree that he will drive over (he lives about 6 hours away) and he will bring his laptop to show his previous work.
Communications with and from Vicky are nonexistent. We don't share meals or any time like normal married couples do. She is rarely home during my waking hours. She comes and goes without communication. The only way I can find out when she leaves or gets home is using the tracking app. I don't care enough anymore to even track her movements. I figure her 'team meetings' must be consuming her evenings. We are two strangers that coexist under the same roof. Words, glances, and terms of endearment are a thing of the past. There are no outward hostilities, our give a fuck has simply got up and left. When I see her, she is engrossed in her phone and seems to not even notice her surroundings.
Saturday
Christmas eve, I get up early as usual, dress and head to the office. Vicky is asleep on her side of the bed and doesn't move as I get up and get around. I leave and go to a locally owned restaurant the serves Breakfast. I get a western omelet with jalapenos, potatoes, toast and coffee. I get to my office and fire up my computer. I look over the accounting ledgers for the last couple of projects. I review the costs for manpower (foremen, crew leads, crew members, laborers, specialized craft, HVAC, Electricians, Plumbers, welders, etc). I then look up cost associate with concrete, red iron, wiring, ductwork, HVAC units, lighting, computer support, network hardware, windows, insulation, drywall, Studs, screws, mud and tape.
I put all of this information into a spread sheet that will make it easier to find and load into the schedule when needed. It is almost 8 o'clock when I finish with the research and loading the spreadsheet. I make a note to lock in materials pricing for the contract duration I don't want price increases for materials during the build. I make another note to include wage increases during the build. The old days of cost plus10 are long gone and just accepting price increases are a hard sell to today's client. Being grilled by a client for more money is not a place I want to be. I leave the building about 8:30 and go to the gym. I was surprised they were still open when I got there. I worked out and went for a run. I took a shower and went home.
I stop by a waffle house to get something to eat. They are open 24/7/365. I order a chicken sandwich and a salad. I am surprised when I got home to and empty driveway. I thought 'get used to it dude'. I walk upstairs and get ready for bed. I brush my teeth, look in the mirror and repeat my mantra to myself -
"DILLIGAF".
Sunday
Finally, it is Christmas morning. D-Day. The wail of a stuka dive bomber screams in my ears. My heart beats rapidly, about to jump out of my chest. The explosion of the first salvo is nearing. I had to pay a process server $3,500 to serve the various papers on Christmas morning. I wanted Vicky's lovers and the various company executives served by noon. I plan to send my video bomb out at 12:30.
I get up early and put Vicky's present under the tree. I retrieved the box of soiled panties from my truck and walk into the bathroom. I dump them onto the floor next to the clothes hamper. I am curious as to what her reaction is going to be when she sees them. I then walk into the kitchen and start breakfast. I cook biscuits and sausage gravy, scrambled eggs, bacon, cinnamon rolls, some mixed fruit (grapes, watermelon, and cantaloupe) and some orange juice. I finish preparing breakfast and make myself a heaping platter. I just sit down at the dining room table when my loving wife staggers down the stairs. Wobbly legged and rubbing her eyes.
