Get Stuffed
November 2024
As November came into view at Edna's Treasures Lane plans were being made for one of the biggest Thanksgivings in recent years. Brian was trying to finish up some of the accounts that needed attention as the year was drawing to a close. He was working in his office looking over the sun porch when his phone rang.
"Hello," he said when he saw the name on display. "What's up, Theodore?"
"I had another call from Max Jacobs' office."
Brian rubbed his brow. "What did he want this time?"
"Same thing."
"How many times have we said 'no'?"
"This is probably six or seven."
"So why are you calling me?" Brian asked. "I assume you said no once again."
"I did, but he wants to meet you face to face."
"What the fuck for?"
"I guess he figures he'll have better luck talking to you personally," Ted suggested.
"Isn't he in England?"
"Yep."
"Then how does he propose to speak to me face to face?"
"He's flying into New York in a couple days. He thought he could make a quick trip to Pittsburgh to meet you," Ted explained.
"That would presuppose that I wanted to meet him," Brian said with exasperation.
"I told him I didn't think you would want to get together."
"But he wouldn't take no for an answer."
"That's right, just like he wouldn't take all the other no's for answers," Ted said carefully.
"I suppose the asshole thinks that persistence will pay off."
"That would be my guess."
"Is there any possibility that if I met him we might be able to put an end to this once and for all?" Brian asked.
"I was hoping you might say that."
"Arrange it," Brian ordered. He would put an end to this annoyance in his most emphatic style.
*****
Three days later Brian arrived at Kinnetik early in the morning. Ted was already there making sure that everything was ready for the impending meeting.
"Are you up for this?" Ted asked when Brian came into the office.
"I'm always up."
Ted made a face at the old joke. He hoped Brian wasn't underestimating this Max Jacobs. He had made millions, maybe even billions, in the advertizing game. In his own way, Max Jacobs was a lot like Brian Kinney. "This guy is very hard to discourage," Ted said.
Brian glared at his employee and friend. "I would have thought after all these years that you would know I can handle anything."
"Um ... I do, but..."
"But what?" Brian was getting irritated.
"You haven't actually talked to this guy," Ted reminded Brian.
"I'll handle it."
"Hello," a voice said from the hallway.
Ted turned and hurried to the door. "Mr. Jacobs," Brian heard him say. "You're early."
"I like to take my opponents by surprise," Max Jacobs said in a haughty tone.
Instantly Brian detested the man, even more than he had disliked him from the incessant phone calls. He decided to take charge. "Show the gentleman in," he called to Ted.
"Mr. Kinney, at long last," Max Jacobs said as he came through the door ahead of Ted. Brian made a slight nod of the head indicating that Ted should leave.
Brian heard the implied criticism in the statement. Wait till the guy found out that he had come all this way only to find out that he was wasting his time. "Mr. Jacobs, I presume," Brian said extending his hand and cautioning himself to remain civil.
"Please, call me Max."
"Have a seat, Mr. Jacobs," Brian said indicating the chair on the other side of his desk. He deliberately did not use the name Jacobs had requested, and he kept the man on the other side of the desk as far away from him as he could.
"I'm glad you finally agreed to meet with me, Brian."
Brian immediately wanted to tell this joker that he was Mr. Kinney to him, but he refrained from saying so. "What do you think this meeting is going to accomplish?" Brian asked getting right to the point.
"You don't beat about the bush, do you?"
"I don't have time to waste on frivolous actions."
"I would not consider my offer to buy Kinnetik in all its forms to be frivolous," Max Jacobs said trying not to sound too insulted. He didn't want to quash the deal before he had a chance to make his case.
"We're not interested," Brian said emphatically. "I believe Ted and Cynthia have both told you that."
"But you haven't heard my offer."
"I don't need to. Kinnetik is not for sale."
"But I know you're getting older." Jacobs saw Brian tense up at his use of the word older. "I understand that you are semi-retired," he added quickly.
"Because I don't deal with the day to day happenings at the Kinnetik offices does not mean that I am retired," Brian informed him. "I have excellent people who look after that for me."
"I'm sure you do," Jacobs said hastily. He did not want to antagonize the man any more than he already had. "Let me show you what I'm prepared to offer for Kinnetik."
"I've told you I'm not interested in selling."
Jacobs was not to be deterred. He pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Brian across the desk.
At first Brian was going to refuse to take the paper, but curiosity made him accept the paper that was extended towards him. It would be interesting to see how much Jacobs was prepared to offer. Brian slowly opened the folded paper. Inside was written a sum that far surpassed anything he had expected. "Are you serious?" Brian asked with a frown.
Jacobs misunderstood. "I can probably raise that a little bit," he said, "if that's what it will take for the purchase."
Brian laughed out loud. "This is more than generous," Brian replied.
"Then you accept?" Jacobs said hopefully.
"I most certainly..." Brian paused for effect. "Do not!"
"But..."
"Mr. Jacobs, you're wasting your time and mine. Kinnetik is not for sale, as you have been told many times. It's not just money that makes Kinnetik a great company, it's the people. I don't think you would fit in here."
"How dare you! I made a perfectly valid offer that you should at least consider."
"I have considered your unsolicited offer, and I have categorically rejected it."
"You really are the asshole I've been told that you are," Jacobs said standing up abruptly and almost knocking his chair over. "What a colossal waste of time!"
"Exactly," Brian said. "And I wear my asshole mantle proudly."
Jacobs turned on his heel and strode toward the door.
"Oh, Mr. Jacobs, Thanksgiving will soon be here in America. In that spirit may I just add, Get stuffed!"
Jacobs mouth moved like he wanted to say something, but he suddenly clamped it shut and hurried out of the office.
Ted came in immediately after Jacobs had left. It was obvious that he had been listening outside the door. "Wow!" he said. "That was some meeting."
"To quote our guest, 'It was a colossal waste of time!'"
Ted chuckled. "What exactly did he offer?"
Brian handed Ted the piece of paper that still lay on his desk.
"Fuck!" Ted reacted.
"I think we've been undervaluing ourselves," Brian added with a snort, "if that's any indication."
"And you turned this down."
"I most certainly did. Kinnetik is not for sale. It's going to Gus and Bree if they want it."
"Of course," Ted answered quickly.
"I'm off," Brian said gathering up his phone and his briefcase in preparation to leave. "See you at Thanksgiving dinner?"
"Yes, certainly, looking forward to it."
"Good," Brian said.
"And I'll be happy to get stuffed that day," Ted felt the compulsion to say.
Brian chuckled all the way to his car. Justin would get a kick out of the events of today. At least Max Jacobs' visit had been good for something.
*****
The Cookies
November 2024
“Daddy can we make gingerbread cookies for Thanksgiving?” Bree asked her father. They had a few weeks until Thanksgiving but knowing that just making the dough took several hours, Justin didn’t think it was an odd request.
“Hmm, I thought we were going to make those cookies for Christmas?” Justin asked.
Bree appeared to contemplate her father’s comment. “Well, if we spend this weekend making the dough, we can put some aside for the Christmas cookies,” Bree stated logically looking at her father very seriously.
“Flawlessly logical,” Justin quoted with a smirk.
“I am honored,” Bree returned with the correct response. Father and daughter giggled like young kids then began to explore the pantry to take an inventory of their baking supplies. You can’t make gingerbread without the right ingredients.
After setting out their supplies and making a list of the things they needed, Justin and Bree went shopping. A few hours later it was gingerbread dough central in their kitchen.
*****
Thanksgiving Day 2024
The family was all gathered on the lane for another Edna’s Treasures Thanksgiving extravaganza. Each home was filled to the brim with friends and family. Even the B&B was packed. Everyone was enjoying spending time with family including some branches of their family that they didn’t often see. The conjoined cottage was filled with the sounds and delicious aromas of the season.
“Honey, I hear you and your Daddy have been baking for weeks,” Emmett gushed at Bree.
“Oh yes, Auntie Emm. Daddy and I even made special Thanksgiving gingerbread cookies!” Bree exclaimed then showed Emmett the tray of beautifully made cookies cut into the shape of turkeys.
“Well, would you look at that! Where did you find a turkey cookie cutter?” Emm wanted to know. He had many cookie cutters but in more traditional shapes.
“Daddy took me to a special store last year when we were in New York,” Bree explained.
“I see. Your Daddy is going to have to share his secrets,” Emm whispered loudly into Bree’s ear. Justin heard and with a wink and a nod he smiled at his friend.
“Of course, I’ll share,” Justin said.
“Did you make any other shapes?” Emmett asked Bree.
“Yes, but it’s a surprise,” Bree said in a real whisper.
“Okay,” Emmett whispered back.
After the family enjoyed their sumptuous dinner, out came all the desserts that everyone made. They were all laid out on the long table in the sun porch to ‘ooo and aahh’ over, which everyone did, and Bree’s cookies were no exception.
Brian was trying to avoid temptation by staying away from the evil carbs but he couldn’t avoid his daughter who presented him with a tin of cookies baked just for him.
“Here, Dada, I made these special just for you,” Bree said as she handed Brian the tin. Violet blue eyes gazed up at him with love and adoration. Brian who was quite an expert at reading his blond Taylors knew there was more to that expression than met the eyes.
“Thank you, Squirt,” he replied as he took the tin.
A hush descended on the sun porch as all eyes turned toward Brian Kinney.
Brian carefully opened the tin and gazed inside. He cleared his throat as he thought about what he was going to say.
“They look delicious, Squirt.”
“Try one,” Bree said with a sunny smile.
Gathering up all the dignity he could muster but knowing he had to play the game, Brian scowled as he took out a cookie then took a big bite. The family cheered while Bree clapped, jumping up and down.
“Are they good?” Bree asked while John had the family distracted as he regaled them with stories about Brian and the object of his disdain. They were laughing wildly as they ate up each story. No pun intended.
Brian scrunched down so that he could be nose to nose with his little girl. “They are the best cookies ever,” Brian stated and Bree knew her Dada never lied.
“I love you, Dada,” she said as she threw her arms around Brian’s neck.
“Love you too, Squirt.”
“And since you love my cookies so much, Daddy and I will make more for Christmas,” Bree promised with a giggle.
“I can’t wait,” Brian murmured as he hugged his daughter.
-end-