Chapter 16
A/N: Graduation
The last Saturday in May was a big day in the Adams family. Benjamin would be graduating with his Doctorate in Finance and then deciding on his future.
Benjamin and Suzanne were wrapped up in each other's arms laying on Benjamin's couch. She was lost in thought due to him graduating his Dad would expect him to return to New York and start work in his finance firm. Suzanne would be left behind for at least a year until she finished her Doctorate.
Benjamin had other plans; he just had not discussed them with anyone yet. Since he had become so invested in Benji he was considering setting up a finance office in Charlottesville and running the finance side of his stud fees from there. He knew he could do it from his Dad's firm in New York, he was just not wanting to leave Suzanne and Benji. He needed to have a sit down with his Dad and Joe and see what they both thought. He would tell Suzanne if they both agreed. He didn't want to get her hopes up of him staying if it fell through.
He called his Dad and told him that he wanted to have a man to man conversation with him when his parents came down for graduation.
William hung up the phone with Benjamin and walked into the kitchen with Emma.
"Have you talked to Benjamin in the last few days? He seemed off and just told me he wanted to have a man to man conversation with me when we went down for graduation," he asked her.
"No nothing out of the usual conversation that we have on Sunday evenings. He sounded his usual self when I spoke to him. Do you think it has something to do with him and Suzanne? They have been in a relationship for four years now, you think he is thinking about asking her to marry him?" she said.
"I don't know, she still has a full year before she finishes school. He told me the last time I asked about that, that they were going to wait until she was finished," he said.
William pondered what his son wanted to talk to him about for several days. He would get his answer when they went down for graduation.
Benjamin had taken a trip out to the farm on Wednesday before graduation. He wanted to talk to Joe and Eric and see what they thought of his plans. He had already inquired in town about some empty office space and found the perfect place.
Joe welcomed him with a warm manly hug upon his arrival. Eric was waiting for them in the office.
"Well, I wanted to tell you both something that I have been thinking about for a while. I want to set up a finance/business office in town and run Benji's financial dealings through it. I was also thinking that Joe since the farm's stud and training services were doing so much more business that I was thinking that I could take on the whole financial aspect freeing you both up to concentrate on the horses. I know it is a big ask, but it would keep me in Charlottesville and near Benji," he waited with baited breath for a response.
Both men looked at each other and asked Benjamin to give them a few minutes to discuss it among themselves.
Benjamin walked out holding his breath and stepped out onto the front porch. His future in Charlottesville depended on a positive decision from them and he hoped it would go his way.
"Dad, what do you think? It makes a lot of sense from my point of view. Frees me up to concentrate on the training of the new Thoroughbreds that we have in the barn now and the new ones we are getting calls about all the time," Eric said.
Joe leaned back in his chair thinking about Eric and Benjamin's words. He hated the business side of the farm and it made good sense to turn it over to Benjamin. He was just concerned about him being so new to this business and fresh out of school. He would not make a decision just yet. He thought maybe talking to William Benjamin's Dad when he came down for graduation would help him make a decision.
"I am going to talk to his Dad first and then I will make a decision," he told Eric.
He called Benjamin back in and explained his thinking to him before making his decision.
"Sir, I totally understand you wanting to get more information from my Dad, just know that I haven't talked to him about this yet. I am going to talk to him on Friday before graduation so if you could wait until after then it would be great," Benjamin told him.
"Also, I haven't said anything to Suzanne about my plans yet either," he told him.
"Yes, I can wait to talk to your Dad, I suggest you do not wait too long to talk to my daughter about this. I don't have to tell you what kind of fit she will throw if she finds out second hand," William told him laughing.
"I just don't want to get her hopes up. I will be staying if my plans go through. I still have to get my Dad to agree to all of this if you agree," Benjamin said.
Benjamin shook both men's hands and headed back to his apartment. He had started packing in case his Dad did not agree to his plan. He did not want to even think about leaving Suzanne for a whole year, before she could move to New York. She had started applying for positions up there and had even secured an internship for this summer at a firm.
Friday arrived and Benjamin was at the airport picking up his parents. He drove them to their hotel and followed them to their room.
"Dad, I need to talk to you about my future. Before you say anything let me explain everything to you first." He went on to tell his parents his plan and how he had talked to Joe and Eric about running the farm. Eric had even told him of a few other horse farm owners in the area that might be convinced to let him handle the finance part of their farms.
William stood up and walked over and looked out of the window. He had not expected that this was what his son had wanted to talk to him about. The plan was always for him to return to New York and he would groom him to take over his firm. He did not know how to react. Benjamin had given him a sound business plan and had done all the leg work
"Benjamin, does this have anything to do with being separated from Suzanne?" he asked.
"Dad, yes and no. I have really enjoyed getting involved in the business side of the horse business. I have learned a lot over the last few years and it is something that I truly want to pursue. I will not lie, moving back to New York and leaving her will be hard and it is not something I want to do. I want to do something with my life that excites me and brings me satisfaction and I think this will," he told him.
"I am not totally sold on the idea, I think you will have to present me with a complete business plan before I make up my mind totally," William said.
Benjamin walked over to his briefcase and pulled out a thick dossier. He knew his Dad would want a detailed breakdown of his business plan. He had been working on it for the better part of three months and was prepared when he asked.
William raised his eyebrows when Benjamin handed him the documents. He was not expecting him to be this prepared with his arguments to get him to agree.
"Well, I guess you have given me something to think on. Joe called earlier in the week and said he wanted to talk to me. I am guessing this is what he wanted to talk about. He should be arriving anytime. Let me sit down and talk to him and go through your plan and then I will make my decision," William told his son.
Joe had driven into town and planned on talking to William after they got settled into their room. He knew Benjamin was anxious for an answer and didn't want to put him off too long. He also knew that Benjamin was going to talk to his Dad today about his plan.
Joe called up to their room and William agreed to meet him in the bar.
William arrived and both men shook hands and settled down after ordering a drink.
"What is your opinion on Benjamin's plan?" William asked Joe.
"I have thought a lot about this since he approached me about it. I wanted to ask you, do you think this is something he can do or is just trying to avoid leaving Suzanne?" Joe stated.
"I haven't had much time to think about it since he just told me about an hour ago. If you are asking me if he is capable of doing the job, Yes more than capable. My son has proven himself over and over at my firm for a few years now. He found a mistake a few years ago that would have cost my firm a substantial amount of money. Senior account managers missed it and they have a lot of years under their belts. I am of a mind to let him do it, I just as a Dad do not want to see my son fail," William said with concern in his voice.
Joe sat back in his chair and thought about William's high praise of Benjamin. He did not come across as a man that threw that praise out lightly just because it was his blood. He has a real respect for the Adams family.
"I think with your support and agreement I will let him go ahead and run the finance part of my farm. My son tells me he could probably get more of the ranch owners to get on board with him too. I will leave the final decision to you," Joe told him.
William thought about what Joe had said and he would read Benjamin's plan and then make his final decision.
Saturday afternoon dressed in his cap and gown, Benjamin Allen Adams proudly walked across the stage and received his Doctorate and thus ended his college career. His cheering section was by far the loudest and proudest.
Suzanne had tears running down her face because she knew it would be a long year with him moving back to New York. She decided to not dwell on that and just be proud of him.
Benjamin joined his family and friends. Suzanne gave him a warm hug and told him how proud she was of him.
William had made arrangements for everyone to have dinner at the Italian restaurant that they went to when he first met the James'. He would give Benjamin his decision over dinner.
William stood and made a toast to his son.
"Benjamin, your Mom and I are so proud of you son. You have really worked hard to get where you are and graduating top of your class was a hard task. I speak for the whole family when I say, job well done. Now I want to announce something you have been waiting for," before he could finish Benjamin interrupted him.
"Dad, could you hold off and let me have a word with you," he said, pulling him away from the crowd.
"I haven't told Suzanne my plans yet so if this is going to be bad news, just tell me in private so she doesn't get upset," Benjamin said.
William laughed at the panic on his son's face. He stepped away from him and raised his glass. "A toast to the Benjamin Adams Equine Finance company in Charlottesville Virginia."
Reality had not sunk into Benjamin what his father had just said. He looked at the crowd and those that knew of his plans were smiling and patting him on the back.
He turned to look for the reaction from the most important person. She had a shocked look on her face and was not sure exactly what it meant.
He walked over to her with a smile on his face and placed his hand on her cheek. "Suzanne, I know I didn't tell you about all of this and I hope that you are not mad. I didn't want to get your hopes up in case it fell through. Are you happy about this?"
"Benjamin, what does this mean? Are you staying here and not moving to New York to run your Dad's firm?" she asked.
He shook his head yes at her and gathered her into his arms. Tears were running down her face and she buried her head into his shoulder. Her whole body was shaking and he was trying to calm her down.
"Sweetheart, please stop crying. I love you so much, not only did I not want to leave you, but I have come to love the horses so much. I think I will do a good job running the business side of the farm. Your Dad had agreed to let me do that so he and Eric can concentrate on the horses. Are you happy with my plan?" he asked her, wiping her tears away.
She tightened her hold on him as her tears subsided. "I love you so much and I can't believe you are doing this. Are you sure this is what you want to do? Don't do this just to stay here with me. I know how much you want to go home to New York and your family,"
He leaned back away from her and took her head in his hands and raised it. "Sweetheart, look at me. I promise I really want to do this. I want to build this company for our future and for you. I don't want to leave you, but I also want to do something with my life that I will enjoy and this is it."
The evening was a joyous occasion all around and everyone gave their congratulations one more time before leaving.
William and Benjamin were having a drink at the bar after everyone else left. "Dad, are you sure about this? I know it has always been your dream for me to take over your firm one day, I just don't want to disappoint you?"
"Son, your happiness is the most important thing to me and your Mom. Besides, you need to leave the nest sometime and find your own way. Yes, I would love for you to take over the firm, and you still might one day," William said with pride for his son.
They left the restaurant and come Monday Benjamin's new life would start, but it will be a short lived dream.