Chapter 3

Fourteen years ago, in the middle of the quarterly Board meeting, Jonathan's cell phone rang. The number was unfamiliar, but Jonathan had a feeling he needed to take this call. Jennifer along with the rest of the Board watched in puzzlement as Jonathan left to take the call.

"Hello?"

"Mr. Hart?"

"Yes Alex?"

"I'm ready, but I'm in trouble."

"If it's trouble with the police, you will have to straighten that out before I can help you."

"No, it's not that, the police I mean. I quit. You know, dealing drugs? After you caught me, I …. Well it was the first time anybody talked to me like that. I thought about, and I was embarrassed, you know, a guy like you seeing me do something like that. You didn't bust me, you made it my call, and so after awhile I just couldn't look at myself in the mirror and think it was ok to do that stuff. So I quit."

"So then what's your trouble Alex?"

"I got kicked out of school, and you know the mentoring program. Can you help me get back in?"

"Well…Alex how about we talk about it. Where are you? "

"I'm at home. My mom is here too. Can you help?"

"Give me your phone and address Alex, my wife and I will be there in an hour, and with any luck so will your Principal."

"Ok, Mr. Hart….and, umm, Mr. Hart….thanks."

After the meeting, Alex was on his way. Jonathan saw him through High School, helped him find scholarships for college, and guide him through the beginnings of a corporate career. Not to say there were no bumps in the road, a little too much parting, a few low grades, but in the end Alex made it. He was Jonathan's long-shot, the future for Hart Industries. Alex had never asked and Jonathan never offered him a job at Hart. Jonathan knew Alex had to get out and make a name for himself, stand on his own. With Jonathan's advice Alex had done all that he needed to have the respect of the upper executives at Hart. Twelve years, had passed when Jonathan called Alexander Chase and ask him "Are you ready?"

"Ready for what, Mr. H?"

"To work for me, Alex."

Shocked and elated Alex said yes.