Not physical labor anymore, but the kind of work required to manage five residential towers in Chicago and approximately eighty million dollars in assets.
Almost no one in my personal life knew the extent of what I owned.
They saw a retired contractor with an old truck and a reasonable pension.
They did not know that I invested nearly every dollar I earned during forty years of construction.
I purchased land before neighborhoods became fashionable. I bought distressed properties after the 2008 financial collapse. When everyone else was frightened of real estate, I acquired three buildings at prices that would have been impossible only two years earlier.
The penthouse building belonged to one of my companies.
Emily and Tyler believed their association fees went to a distant corporation called Bennett Holdings.
They never asked who Bennett was.
Apparently, they considered the matching surname a coincidence.
I was eating breakfast at Lou’s Diner on the South Side when Tyler finally called.
Lou’s was the sort of place where coffee still cost almost nothing and eggs arrived beside hash browns whether a customer requested them or not.
I sat in my usual booth when Tyler’s name appeared on my screen.
I allowed the phone to ring three times.
Then I answered.
“Dad.”
He called me Dad now.
Interesting how quickly respect returned when money disappeared.
“Where have you been? We’ve been trying to reach you.”
“You called once.”
“Is everything all right?”
Emily was crying somewhere in the background.
“I’m fine. What’s wrong?”
“It’s the tenth.”
I waited.
“The monthly building payment didn’t arrive. The management portal says we’re delinquent. Did you forget to transfer it?”
I took a slow drink of coffee.
“Oh, that.”
“Yes, that.”
“I’m afraid things are a little tight this month. My pension check was delayed. Administrative problem.”
Silence.
“What do you mean, tight?”
His voice became sharper.
“The fees are sixty-five hundred dollars. We don’t have that kind of money. We spent almost everything on the wedding.”
“I know.”
“I need you to transfer it today.”
“I’m afraid I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“I have blood-pressure medication to purchase. The truck needs transmission work.”
I allowed a brief pause.
“But you and Emily are doing well. She has her architecture job, and you have your technology company. I’m certain you can manage.”
Emily took the phone.
“Dad, this isn’t funny.”
“I’m not laughing.”
“If the fees remain unpaid, the association can place a lien against the unit. It could affect our credit. We have a reputation in this building.”
I placed my coffee cup on the table.
“I’m simply broke, Emily. At least, that is what you should assume.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”