Forever Yours
4
Ready, Set, Go!
HENRY WAS INTENT on knocking off the remaining two classes that were freshman requirements for the university over the summer. His job as a ‘Youth Pro’ at the Constitution Links Country Club kept him busy teaching children and teens the rudiments of golf, mostly in the long evenings.
But he was just as determined to follow through with Don Harvey to get his intellectual property protected. He wanted patents filed so he could get paid for his inventions. But they were also intellectual property for the company that would help them get employees and funding.
Over the summer, he did some research in the university library regarding businesses that were started by college students and grew into highly successful corporations. There were a surprising number starting with Apple, Microsoft, and more recently, Facebook.
He and Chastity both had classes and summer jobs. Isobel was in South America. Luke was tripping across the country. But text messages and emails flew among them, solidifying their partnership throughout the summer.
“I’m convinced we need to shelter ourselves with a Limited Liability Company, an LLC,” Luke wrote. “We will each need to put a nest egg in the company and we can use that to fund a lawyer to file incorporation papers when we’re ready to launch. We start out as equal partners in the LLC, but when the corporation is established, we’ll each receive stock and options in whatever proportions we decide are fair.”
“How much?” Chastity asked—always the most practical of the quartet.
“I figure we can get in business for a thousand each,” Luke responded.
“Ouch!” Henry said. “I’d better pick up some more hours at the club.”
“I can do it, but I won’t be having much fun this summer,” Chastity said. “Not that I was, anyway.”
Isobel’s response came the next day. “Okay.”
“Henry, I need a guy for a double date. Are you available Saturday?” Chastity asked when she called him on Wednesday, the first of July.
“Hey. I haven’t done anything fun so far this summer. Will it be fun?” he asked.
“Oh, yeah. It’s the Fourth of July! We’re going out to the Avonmore Trails to ride horses, then back into town for dinner and to watch the fireworks,” Chastity said.
“That sounds like fun. When should I pick you up?”
“All excited about driving now that you’ve got a car?” Chastity teased. Luke’s father had helped Henry pick out a good used car at a real deal of a price. “Not to worry this time. Allen is driving. We’ll pick you up at one Saturday afternoon.”
“See you then.”
Aside from their frequent texts, Henry hadn’t seen Chastity since graduation. The idea of going out, no matter what the event, was attractive. He remembered well their time after the prom. He was ready in jeans and sturdy shoes at one when Allen pulled up in his Jeep. This guy was obviously a real outdoorsy type. Henry ran out to join the group and Chastity held the seat forward so he could get in back… with a lovely young woman. Chastity got in front next to Allen.
“Henry, this is Allen and your beautiful date is Avery,” Chastity said.
“Oh! Hi!” Henry said offering his hand to Avery. “I’m Henry.”
“You’re surprised!” Avery said.
“Not unpleasantly. Chastity didn’t mention who my date would be so I assumed you’d be with Allen and I’d be with her,” Henry said. “No problem.”
“Oh, yuck! I mean Allen is a nice guy and all, but he’s my brother. Definitely not dating material. I had to agree to come along on a double in order to get him to date Chastity.”
“That’s funny. I hope you aren’t disappointed. How do you know Chas?” Henry asked.
“We work together at the Olde Towne Inne. Those are all with extra ‘e’s. Talk about pretentious. We wait tables. Allen is a ranch hand at Avonmore,” Avery said. “And no, I’m not disappointed. So far, you’re everything Chastity promised. A gentleman and a scholar.”
“Haven’t been able to practice either much since graduation. Although I’m getting a head start on university classes this fall and I’m working as a ‘Youth Pro’ at Constitution Links,” Henry said.
“Maybe I could get some lessons sometime.”
“I’m sure that could be arranged.”
Avonmore Trails was a beautiful hundred-acre horse ranch with riding trails, a show ring, and an outdoor training ring. Allen was the only one of the four who had actual riding clothes, including jodhpurs and knee-high boots. But he spent time with each of them seated on barrels, seeing that their stirrups were properly adjusted and then instructing them on how to sit in the saddle and cue their mounts. Then he actually brought horses out, saddled them, and had the three mount.
They spent quite a while in the training ring as Allen gave them continued instructions until he considered them ready to go on a trail ride. Henry was certain he heard his horse sigh as they left the barnyard.
All told, it was a fun afternoon. Allen led the way with Chastity behind him. Avery apparently had no more experience than Henry did, but Henry enjoyed watching her bounce in her saddle as she rode ahead of him. His horse was content to simply maintain his place in line and do whatever her horse did. It was nearly five when they finally dismounted at the barn, removed the saddles from their trusty mounts, and set about brushing them down and feeding them carrots to thank them for their kindness on the trail.
“Ah!” Henry grimaced as he took the back seat next to Avery. “I think I have a blister on my butt!”
“That’s interesting,” Avery snorted.
“Sorry. I’m just thinking of how much sitting remains to be done today,” he laughed.
“I’m not looking forward to that, either,” she agreed.
“I saw the play Arsenic and Old Lace at our high school this past winter,” Henry said. “I recall something about it having been a wonderful compliment to one of the women when her riding companion said, ‘Madam, you have a good seat.’”
“Ooh. I’m glad you noticed,” Avery said. She raised an eyebrow at Henry and offered him her hand. He took it with a smile and they held hands all the way to the restaurant.
“Where are we going for fireworks?” Allen asked as they all got in the car again about eight o’clock.
“Out to the point,” Chastity answered. “Avery and I brought blankets, so we can sit and watch the display over the river.”
Allen drove out to the crowded parking area, but several people were leaving because the family day activities had ended. They found a parking spot and the guys were given the blankets. They passed the security checkpoint and headed down the trail.
Henry’s other hand was soon occupied by Avery’s. He saw Chastity and Allen holding hands ahead and quashed an instant pang of jealousy.
There was no reason to be jealous. He and Chastity were not an item and he had a perfectly delightful and lovely woman holding his hand. Allen was a couple of years older than they were, but Avery had also just graduated. They were all well-matched. Chastity had been doing a good job of getting Allen out of his shell and he was pretty funny when his sister tormented him.
“This looks like a good spot,” Avery said, pointing out a location on the Fort Duquesne lawns. People were scattered all over the area, which was large enough to not be crowded. They spread out their blankets to wait for the nine-thirty start of the show.
The first fanfare burst over the river and Henry automatically leaned back to look up at the sky. Avery leaned back against him. She was incredibly cuddly. Between explosions, she leaned in to whisper in Henry’s ear.
“Are you going to ask me out again?”
“That sounds like a great idea to me,” he answered. “Would you like to go out?”
“Oh, yeah. I just wanted to make sure we’d be doing this again before I kissed you.”
With that, Avery moved her lips to Henry’s and they started little kisses, interrupted by each explosion in the sky. The longer the display went on, the longer their kisses became. When the last barrage was launched and everyone started cheering, Avery and Henry were in a serious clinch.
“I think we need to get up and fold our blanket,” Avery whispered. “People are leaving.”
“I really enjoyed the day with you,” Henry said. “Shall we find something for next Saturday?”
“Yeah. I know we can’t really do anything more often. You’re working and studying. I’m working. Chastity has me convinced I need to enroll in classes over at the Community College. Saturday will be a great time. Maybe something a little easier on our asses,” she giggled.
Henry held his arm around Avery as they walked back to the car. He no longer noticed Chastity and Allen.
“She’s pretty damn cute, isn’t she?” Chastity asked on the phone the next day.
“Yes. You got me there. She’s really sweet,” Henry answered.
“Just treat her nicely, okay? She’s more a girlfriend type than I am. Don’t mistreat her.”
“You know I won’t. Thank you for introducing us.”
“Yeah. Allen’s nice. We’ll probably hang out a few more times this summer, but I don’t think it’s anything long-term.”
“Hey, Chas. Are you going to be okay coming up with the thousand for the LLC buy-in?” Henry asked. “I think I could help.”
“You know, I have no objections to accepting things from you, but for my own self-esteem, I think I should furnish my own buy-in. You know, it’s the first time I’ll really feel like an equal partner with the other three of you. I can make the numbers.”
“Good. You know, I consider you an equal partner regardless.”
“Yeah, in the LLC. But we all know that as far as a share in the company goes, there wouldn’t be one without what you are developing. That’s definitely a majority share. That doesn’t make me feel bad. I recognize that I offer something different. And even with a lesser share in the corporation, I know it’s going to be profitable. Profit isn’t the only reason I’m here, but I wouldn’t be here without it.”
“That’s clear, Chas. I’m devoted to making sure you are always happy with us.”
“It’s not too hard, babe. At least not all the time.”
The car Paul Riordan, Luke’s father, had helped Henry pick out was economical and reliable. The Chevy Spark was nothing like the Corvette Luke was driving across country, but it did get Henry to and from his job and classes, and most importantly to Avery’s house to pick her up for dates. With almost two months of summer left, the two made the most of their time with outdoor activities every weekend. They discovered a mutual fondness for hikes, especially on long day trips down to Blackwater Falls. There was always a place near some trail or other where they could spread out the blanket from Henry’s backpack and spend some quality time making out.
It was mid-August, though, when they decided not to rush back to the city and took a room at the Billy Motel. The manager didn’t seem too surprised to have a couple of eighteen-year-olds booking a room at the last minute. This was West By-God Virginia, after all. After dinner, at the motel’s restaurant, they found themselves together in a somewhat rustic room.
“Is this okay?” Henry asked as he held her, looking at the motel room.
“It’s not the Hilton, is it?” she laughed. “But this isn’t our honeymoon, either. And I don’t think there’s enough room in the back of your Spark for either of us to do what we want to do. It’s fine, Henry. As long as you’re gentle and the same considerate guy you’ve been through all our dates, I’m happy.”
She demonstrated her happiness by kissing Henry and drawing him toward the bed.
Their lovemaking was gentle and comfortable. Henry grabbed a condom from his pocket before he allowed her to guide him into her. They moved slowly and kept eye-contact through the whole time. Avery stimulated herself with a hand between them and managed to get off before Henry did. They spent a long time cuddling in the afterglow.
“I’m glad we got a chance to do this,” Avery said. “You start freshman orientation this week and I’m moving to full-time evenings and weekends so I can go to school during the day. We aren’t going to have time for day-long outings to the mountains, not to mention that it will be snowy and dangerous in a couple of months. I’m so glad we stopped here tonight.”
“You don’t want to continue seeing me?” Henry asked.
“Oh, sure. If we can manage it. But we’ll both be in new worlds from here on. I don’t see much chance that we’ll be able to keep it up.”
“Wow! I guess I never thought about that. I’ve enjoyed having you as my girlfriend.”
“I’ve enjoyed it, too. You really are a great guy. I like being with you. I guess, though, I never seriously considered this more than a summer thing,” she said. “I wouldn’t mind doing it again now, though, if you’re up to it.”
“Yeah. I guess we can just enjoy each other with no expectations, right?”
“Only the expectation that you’ll continue to treat me like your girlfriend right up until the very last minute.”
They coupled again, held each other as they slept, and managed another time before they showered, dressed, and went out to breakfast the next morning.
“There’s something else, isn’t there, Avery? Something you haven’t told me?” Henry asked as they drove back to the city. There was a long silence.
“I guess so. I never intended to bring it up, but here it is. My high school boyfriend and I broke up at graduation. He left to try to get better work out east. But he called me this week and said he’s coming back home. He kind of wants us to get back together again. I don’t know if it will work. Chastity convinced me to give college a chance and I’m going to the community college this fall. I don’t think he’ll go back to school, but he’s taken a real interest in automotive maintenance and says he’s got an internship at a car dealership when he gets back. We’ll see how it goes.”
Henry took a deep breath and relaxed. This was considerably more final than what they’d discussed the night before.
“Thank you for making my summer a little brighter,” he said, reaching for her hand. She took it and held it until they reached her home.
“Hey! It’s about time! How was the road trip?” Henry asked Luke when his friend got back to town. The friends had all decided to get together on Saturday before they had to start classes.
“It was pretty damned amazing. The second half wasn’t as much fun as the first half, after Sheila bailed on me in California. But five weeks getting out there in the slickest pussy you’ve ever imagined was pretty fine,” Luke said.
“I never did get why she bailed on you,” Henry asked.
“She’s going to Stanford this fall. Figured my ’Vette was more fun than flying. I have to agree.”
“At least you had a few weeks. Have you talked to Isobel?”
“She got back to town last night about the same time I did. We had just a few minutes to plan lunch today and our drive out to Villanova together Monday. I don’t know yet if we’ll pick up where we left off or not. I’d like to. How’s Chastity?”
“She’ll be here shortly. We’ve talked and even double-dated a couple of times. She’s excited about getting our venture up and running.”
“I’ve got the papers ready. We just need to sign and register them with the State. There’s still stuff we need to do after they’re signed, but we can probably handle the rest over Labor Day weekend. You know, like opening a bank account to deposit our investments,” Luke said. “You’re sure the LLC should be equal shares?”
“We might not have equal roles in the corporation, but having this founding part equal just seems right to me,” Henry said.
“Once we raise capital, we probably won’t even have a controlling interest,” Luke said. “We should get as much done as we can before we actually bring in capital.”
“I agree. We need to actually have a value before we invite someone else to participate. Look! Here come Chastity and Isobel.”
The two women ran from their car to greet Henry and Luke with hugs.
“My God, Henry! I’ve missed you!” Isobel said collapsing against him and hugging him fiercely.
“Life just isn’t as interesting without you around,” Henry laughed. He turned to hug Chastity and received a sweet kiss on the lips.
“They’re holding a table for us,” Luke said, pointing the way to the club restaurant. “I made the reservation for noon, but told them not to expect us before 12:30. And look! Here we are, right on time.”
They went in and were immediately ushered to their table. A waiter took their orders and brought them soft drinks.
“I thought sure you were going to text us and tell us you were married,” Chastity said. “How did you manage to escape?”
“Mama. I thought my dad would have a heart attack when I announced to the family, I wasn’t a virgin and was heading back to go to college. Dad wanted me to go straight to confession, but I told him I’d already gone to confession here and that I wasn’t going to any priest in Argentina. Then Mama, bless her soul, announced we were leaving for Costa Rica the next day. We spent three beautiful weeks on the beach. Magnificent,” Isobel rattled off.
“Will your mama adopt me, too?” Chastity asked.
“Oh, sure. But you have to follow her rules. Even Luke has promised to take the catechism when we’re at Villanova. Mama won’t have any non-Catholics hanging around. And Luke had to make that promise in order to drive me to school Monday!”
“I don’t mind,” Luke said. “There are worse things I could be asked to do. Here’s the LLC agreement. It’s short and sweet. Just that we agree to create a company with the purpose of investing in technology and other business endeavors as needed. It declares us equal partners and lists the opening investment.” He handed around copies of the single page agreement.
“So, Luke is the managing member,” Chastity said. “I’m fine with that. Isobel is treasurer? Okay. What do Henry and I do?”
“Henry keeps developing and you keep an eye on him,” Luke said. “And really, all four of us need to be focused on learning everything we can about getting a for-real corporation established. One of the downsides of our little group is that Henry is the only technology guy among us. If we need to get him help, that will be your job, Chas. Hopefully, not before we get established, but there’s going to be stuff that he needs help with. It’s the nature of the beast.”
“How’s that all going, Henry?” Izzy asked.
“Not badly. I’ve got new apps for you guys to test, but they don’t go any further than us four for now. I’ve filed patents on the tech and copyrights on the software. It’s real stuff now and we need to protect it. The biggest thing I’m likely to need help with is the UI. We won’t be able to go to market with a command line program, even if it works great that way. If people don’t have an icon or an emoji to look at, they have no idea what to do.”
“And we can’t expect Henry to keep up the pace he’s been working this summer,” Chastity said. “He’s been working here at the club, finished two classes at the university, and has continued developing in what is laughingly called his spare time. I barely got him out on dates all summer.”
“You’ve been dating?” Izzy asked.
“No! Not me. I just arranged for him to meet someone who needed to get out more, too.”
“When do we get to meet your girlfriend?” Izzy asked Henry.
“Whenever I get one. We agreed to break it off last weekend. It was friendly and I like her a lot, but there were other complications. We’re good,” Henry said.
“Bummer,” Luke said. “Chastity might need to find you another girlfriend. We don’t want your creative juices getting backed up.”
They all laughed and continued their lunch as old friends.
Please feel free to send comments to the author at devon@devonlayne.com.
