Chapter 18 #2
The older man hesitated a moment, and Sawyer’s gut told him that Bill had something important to announce.
“When we started this process recently, I told you that you never know when something could go wrong. Although I was feeling fine, except for a few headaches lately, I decided to have a physical done at Triple H.” Bill swallowed. “I’ve got a brain tumor, Sawyer. The inoperable kind.”
He sucked in a quick breath, surprised by this news. “I’m so sorry to hear this, Bill.”
“I’m not. I’ve had a good run, and I’m ready to see what the afterlife holds for me. It does mean, though, that we better get a move on things. Get this foundation set up and legally approved. Make certain the trustees are in place, with all the T’s crossed and the I’s dotted.”
“I understand the necessity for speed, Bill.” He paused. “Did they give you any indication of how long you might have?”
His client shrugged. “They’re doctors. Not God.
They said probably six months to a year.
No longer than that. The tumor’s location and how soon it begins pressing is going to make a difference with when I’ll need to stop making decisions for myself and let you do that for me.
So if we can move quickly on putting this organization together, I’ll be grateful to you, Sawyer.
I’d love to meet with the people we’ve talked about serving as trustees by next week. ”
He made a note. “I’ll contact all of them today. Do you have a day or time in mind? I don’t want to interrupt any medical treatments.”
“I’m not having any. Just a lot of tests and follow-ups, which won’t change anything. Time is of the essence.”
Sawyer thought a moment. “We’re going to need some help in creating this foundation.
My cousin West’s wife, Kelby Sutherland, would be someone good to bring in on this.
She works with businesses, creating their mission statements.
Designing their websites. Helping brand them.
She also handles social media posts. Kelby would be a vital part of getting the foundation off the ground quickly and helping give it direction. ”
He studied Bill, worried the older man might be tiring. “Do you feel good enough to hang around a while longer? I can give Kelby a call. If she’s not tied down with a client, I’m betting she would be willing to meet with us now.”
“Call her,” Bill urged.
Sawyer did so. When Kelby answered, he said, “Hey, Kelby. You’re on speakerphone with me and my client Bill Packman. Do you have a minute to chat?”
“You’ve caught me at a good time, Sawyer. I just finished a zoom with a client in Tulsa. While I’ve work to do today, I definitely have time to take a meeting with you and Mr. Packman.”
“Would it be easier if we came to you, or would you rather stop by my office?” he asked.
“I’ve got to go to the post office to mail a business package. Let me come to you. I can be there in fifteen minutes.”
While they waited for Kelby’s arrival, Sawyer went over some details of the power of attorney documents he’d drawn up for Bill. These covered both medical decisions, as well as legal and financial ones.
“Guess I’m glad we also drew up that DNR,” his client said. “Just in case.”
Kelby joined them, introducing herself, and Sawyer explained how Bill had amassed a good deal of wealth and was ready to establish a foundation to distribute it and give back not only to the Hawthorne community but other causes.
She took charge after that. “You’ll need a name for the foundation. If you have an idea for it, we’ll need to research and see if it’s being used in any form or fashion in that capacity. If not, we’ll claim that domain. I’ll build a website using it.”
Kelby sat next to Bill and opened her iPad, showing the older man various websites she had built. They talked about colors and content tabs to use, with Sawyer interjecting some ideas, as well. Bill didn’t have many preferences, saying he would defer to Kelby’s judgment on visual items.
“I’ll come up with the mission statement for the foundation, based upon what we’ve talked about.
Naturally, you’ll need to create a board of trustees to make the decisions as to where the grants will be awarded.
I’ll create a tab for the board members with their pictures and bios.
One more important tab will be where to contact the foundation for consideration.
Be it an individual or group, they need to know how to apply for funding their request.”
She looked to Sawyer. “Will you be the one who monitors the website for that? Or is that something you want SSC to handle?”
“We can decide on that once you’ve created the website. I’d like for the board to meet first and have Bill talk to them about his vision for the foundation.”
“Could I come to that meeting?” Kelby asked. “I’d also like to bring Jen, too, since she’ll work with me closely on this project.”
Bill and Sawyer agreed to this request.
Kelby pitched a few ideas regarding the name of the foundation. While Sawyer liked the direction her thoughts went, he couldn’t help but think how Bill had never had a family. How his name would die with him.
“Bill is a modest guy, but I think the foundation should bear his name,” Sawyer said. “After all, it’s his money which will fund it. We’ll eventually see about taking charitable contributions even though I’ll set up an endowment, but Bill’s name should be a part of the organization’s name.”
Though the older gentleman looked embarrassed, Kelby jumped on the idea.
“I agree, Bill. You’re unselfishly giving everything you have to make this world a better place.
The grants the foundation hands out will range from small to multimillion dollar ones.
I like the idea of this being The Bill Packman Foundation. ”
Sawyer provided the names of those they would like to ask to sit on the board of trustees, and Kelby seconded their choices.
“You’re touching various aspects of the Hawthorne community. I also like that you have men and women sitting on the board, but if you also take a seat, Bill, that means six members. Ties could come up in voting matters. Are the bylaws going to reflect that you’ll have the deciding vote?”
Bill shook his head. “I don’t plan to sit on the board, Kelby.”
“You should,” she encouraged. “You need to have a say in the projects your money will fund.”
“I’ve only found this out, and I’m still trying to get used to the news. I have a brain tumor, and I won’t be around this time next year.”
Tears misted in Kelby’s eyes, and she covered Bill’s hand with hers.
“I’m so sorry to hear this, Bill. I was looking forward to working with you for the next twenty to thirty years.
” She smiled gently. “But the work will go on in your name for decades to come. Thanks to your philanthropy, lives will be touched in a positive way.”
“I’m going to tell the board my news,” Bill said. “I’d like to keep it quiet beyond that small circle, though. At least for now.”
“We’ll respect your wishes,” Sawyer told his client. He looked to Kelby. “I’m going to contact prospective board members and see if they can meet this coming Monday at nine o’clock.”
She consulted her phone. “I can be there. Jen, too. Where are we going to meet? Your conference room won’t hold all of us. I’d be happy to host something at the house. We’ve got the room. That way, we could keep it a bit informal.”
“I like that idea,” Bill said. “I want those who choose to serve on this foundation’s board to be comfortable with one another and enjoy the work they do on its behalf.”
Kelby chewed on her bottom lip a moment and then said, “Can the three of us meet again on Friday? I’d like to have portions of the website’s pages built by then, plus I’d like to show you the mission statement and get it approved.
If you like it, we can show everything to the trustees on Monday.
I can also draw up a plan as to how we’ll be using social media to support the foundation.
If there’s anything you don’t like, I’ll have time to make some tweaks over the weekend. ”
“I like this plan,” Bill stated. “I knew I was doing the right thing when I came to see Sawyer.” He smiled at Kelby. “You’ll be a great addition to the team.”
She told them goodbye and left the conference room.
Since it was lunchtime, he asked Bill if they could grab a bite to eat at the diner, where they’d first met.
His client readily agreed, and soon they were seated at Dizzy’s Diner, eating the lunch special of pork chops, butter beans, fried okra, and mashed potatoes.
He paid their bill. As they left the diner, he asked, “Are you still driving, Bill?”
“Not anymore. That’s something the doctors told me I better give up right away.
There’s a chance I could have a seizure.
I don’t want to be behind the wheel and hurt anyone if that happened.
They suggested that I hire some help. Someone to either run errands for me or accompany me on them.
I’ll also need someone to take me to my doctor appointments. ”
Sawyer thought a moment and said, “I have someone in mind. She might be open to working for you. I just settled a divorce case for her and know she’s at loose ends. She’s looking for work and needs a place to live.”
“I’ve got a spare bedroom,” Bill said. “Do you think we’d get along?”
“Ginny is very kind. A bit reserved. I think you would be helping each other out with this arrangement.”
“Let’s call her up.”
He learned that Bill had walked to their appointment this morning, and so he drove the older man home. On the way, he dialed Ginny’s number.
“Hi, Ginny. It’s Sawyer Montgomery. I wanted to check in and see how you were doing.”
“I’m just happy the divorce is behind me, Mr. Montgomery.
I’ve applied for a couple of jobs. I’m hoping to hear back from Walmart in the next day or two.
You know I’ve been staying with my aunt, but I think she’s tired of me sleeping on her couch.
I need to find a place to live. Maybe just rent a room for now. ”
“I may have a job for you, Ginny,” he shared.
By now, they had pulled up in front of Bill’s house, and he cut the engine.
“I’m with one of my clients now at his home. He’s going to be needing some help. Do you think you could come over and meet with us now?”
Sawyer provided the address, and Ginny said, “That’s only two blocks from Aunt Mindy’s. I could walk over now if that’s okay.”
“Head our way. We’ll see you in a few.”
They went into Bill’s house, and a few minutes later, Ginny Freeman arrived. They sat at the kitchen table over a glass of lemonade, and Bill explained his recent diagnosis.
“I can’t drive anymore, so I’ll need someone to drive me places.
I’m not much of a cook. If you are, I’d appreciate you making meals for me.
I’ve got a spare bedroom you could stay in.
No furniture in it now because I’ve never used it, but we can order us some.
I’ll let you pick out what you might like. ”
Bill looked at Ginny hopefully. “Think you might stay with an old man while I’m dying?”
Tears sprang to Ginny’s eyes. “You would be helping me as much as I’d be helping you, Mr. Packman.
I got married straight out of high school, even though I graduated near the top of my class.
My husband didn’t want me going to college or even working.
He didn’t want me to do much of anything.
He was mean, Mr. Packman. Really bad to me.
He liked hurting me. It’s taken five years for me to come to my senses and stand up for myself. Your offer would change my life.”
“Then let’s do it,” Bill said genially. “I think we’ll get along like peas in a pod.”
He offered Ginny a salary, which made her eyes go wide. She looked to Sawyer, who nodded, and Ginny accepted.
“I’ll leave you two to work out the rest of the details,” he said. “Right now, I need to contact those people we talked about, Bill. We’ll meet again with Kelby on Friday, and I’ll also make sure Ginny has the Sutherlands’ address for the board meeting on Monday.”
Sawyer left, feeling good about the work he would be doing with Bill and the foundation, as well as happy at the monthly income he could now count on to supplement his regular earnings.
He couldn’t wait to share everything that had happened today with Paisley.
Maybe it was time to start thinking about putting a ring on her finger. He would start saving for one now.