The Other Brother by Brandon Massey

Author:Brandon Massey
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2008-06-24T21:35:00+00:00

Chapter 29

r saiah was at Reid Construction on Friday. Schmoozing L with his father.

Because of the lies he'd told the night before about learning the printing trade in prison, Pops initially took him to the company's print shop, clearly intending to offer him a job. Isaiah feigned interest in the work, but then told his father, "I'd like to learn about what you and Gabriel do. Indulge ' me.

"You're ambitious, aren't you?" Pops grinned. "I'm sure ambition runs in your blood like it does in mine. Come on, let's go to my office ""

They holed up in his father's huge second-floor office, and Pops gave him a rundown on the construction business. Isaiah asked several perceptive questions and shared plenty of insights that surprised his father; after all, Isaiah had been following his father's growing corporation since he was a teenager, reading about it in periodicals he had found at the library. He knew as much about the company as any outsider possibly could.

"You've got a sharp head on your shoulders," Pops said. They lounged on leather chairs in a comfortable sitting area, sipping coffee. Pops drank from a white mug on which World's #1 Dad was stenciled in green type. A gift from one of his bratty kids. World's #1 Dad? Isaiah wanted to snatch that cup out of his father's hands and bash it against his skull.

But he checked himself. Patience.

"Thanks," Isaiah said. "Guess it runs in the family, huh?"

"As a matter of fact," Pops said, "I think I'd like to offer you a position in the company-and not in the print shop, either."

"Oh, I couldn't accept that," Isaiah said with as much modesty as he could manage. "You've got people with MBAs and years of experience here. I didn't even graduate college."

"Neither did Bill Gates," Pops said. "Did that stop him from building Microsoft into one of the most successful and influential companies in the world?"

Isaiah gave him another aw, shucks grin.

"For starters, you've got street smarts," Pops said. "That's more important in a corporate setting than you may think. This can be a cutthroat industry, son. You have to be able to scope out the competition and strategize a way to stay one step ahead of them"

"I know all about that," Isaiah said, one of the most truthful statements he'd made all day.

"Sure you do," Pops said. "You're a quick learner, too. A good businessman has to be able to size up a situation quickly and make a smart decision. You can only do that if you can swiftly absorb facts. I think you can do that"

"I'd try my best," Isaiah said.

Pops moved to the edge of his chair. "All your innate talents notwithstanding, as your father I owe you a shot here. I did that for Gabriel." He studied Isaiah intently. "I can do the same for you, if you're interested."

Isaiah set down his coffee and stroked his chin. Acting as if he were considering the outrageous offer.

"What would I be doing?" Isaiah asked.

"You'll shadow

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