Although today is an off day, I decided to come to JW’s ranch. I figured there was no sense in prolonging the fact that I was not going to renew my contract with him. Now that it is getting close to the end of the year, he has been hinting about it and his plans for the future. It seems that his political aspirations have really got him buzzing, and he has hinted that he would give me complete and total control of the ranch to include the decision-making. I take all of this to mean that he plans to dive head first into politics and won’t have much time for the day-to-day around here. As excited as I am about the prospect of going into business for myself, I still can’t help but feel a little guilty about leaving JW’s ranch and disappointing him. Not that I feel I owe him anything, but I take pride in being a man of my word and honoring my commitments. I guess I am taking on too much responsibility for living up to his expectations. I know the decisions I have made and will continue to make are in the best interest of me and my family and also Asante. I anticipate a certain level of disappointment on his behalf and that is understandable, but he should understand my decision is a business decision with personal ramifications for me, but hold no personal slight against him.
It’s now November and the air this morning is brisk and I can see my breath when I exhale deeply, which I was doing a lot of dreading the conversation I was about to have. As I arrive at the ranch, I could see some of the men making preparations for their daily duties. I waved and nodded my acknowledgment to those who greeted me as I rode in. “I thought you were off today, boss,” one of them said in a rhetorical manner that was half question and half statement. I didn’t answer but just touched the brim of my hat and nodded as if to say “you are correct.” As I dismounted Duchess, he knew by my lack of conversation and the seriousness on my face that I was there for business, so he took Duchess for me and led her into the stables.
I turned my attention toward the main house and noticed that smoke was coming from the chimney, which meant that JW was more than likely in the den enjoying a cigar and some brandy after his breakfast. This gave me a little hope that he would be able to take the news better on a full stomach. Yeah, right, who was I fooling? Full stomach, empty stomach, it didn’t matter because I was sure this news would give him an upset stomach.
One of his house servants greeted me at the door and led me to the den as I suspected he would be.
“Mr. Asher, Mr. Abbott is here to see you,” she announced and quickly made off.
“Ah, Buck. What are you doing here on your day off? I always said you were the hardest working man I know. Sit down and have a drink with me.”
“Good morning, Mr. Asher. No, thank you, sir, you know I don’t drink.”
“Well, it doesn’t hurt to tempt you with the devil’s elixir every now and then. That’s what I admire about you. Buck, you are a man who stands by his principles and that is a rare thing in this world we live in. For a wealthy man like myself, it is a priceless commodity, and I must admit I for one am glad to have you working for me.”
That’s just great. Glade to see he is going to make this easy for me.
“I appreciate that, Mr. Asher. My principles truly mean a lot to me. They are the measure by which I live my life. And since you brought up working for you that is sort of why I’m here today. I am sure you realize that I am only a few months away from the end of our contract.”
“So what you come to twist my arm and take all the land I own in Arizona short of this ranch?” he blurted out, cutting me off as he chuckled his reply.
“Not quite.”
“Well, what is it that you want then.” He cut me off again. I hate being cut off, but I was able to stay composed and focused on the point.
“To be totally honest, I want my own ranch.”
He sat there for a moment and then he spoke.
“Why would I give you your own ranch when you already have one right here?”
“I’m not asking you to give me a ranch. I already have all I need to build and run my own. What I am saying is that I won’t be renewing our contract once this one is over.”
I may have been right about delivering the news on a full stomach, but I grossly underestimated the effects of brandy on rationale. JW went from jovial to livid in one point two seconds.
“You two-faced son of a bitch!” he shouted, and I knew it was only going downhill from there.
“Mr. Asher, let me explain.” I managed to get in between his rants of explicative.
“Explain? Explain what? That you are an ungrateful two-faced bastard. I gave you everything you have and this is how you choose to show your appreciation. I never imagined you of all people would betray me like this. I practically treated you like a son. I gave you everything you asked for and even more than you could dream of. You were in complete control of my ranching operations. You disgust me!”
“Mr. Asher, if you would just calm down and listen to me for a minute, I am sure we can come to a reasonable understanding. With the few months I have remaining, I am willing to train anyone you choose to be my replacement. That way there will be a smooth transition once I am gone.”
“You have the audacity to stand there and talk to me about training a replacement as if I couldn’t find someone to run this place without your help? Son, I have been building a business empire since you were an ache in your daddy’s testicles. I don’t need some backstabbing, two-faced, ungrateful nigger to do anything for me. As a matter of fact, I want this to be the last day you set foot on my property again. No need waiting until the contract expires. You’re fired! Now get the hell out of my house.”
That went well.
I turned and walked out without another word. I went and retrieved Duchess without saying a word to anyone and made off for home.