The Ultimate Gift (The Ultimate Series #1) (4 page)

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Authors: Jim Stovall

BOOK: The Ultimate Gift (The Ultimate Series #1)
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To most people, this, in and of itself, would seem like nothing—or at most an extremely small thing. However, I recognized how Jason had been raised and that he had always taken such minor courtesies for granted. I chose to look upon this incident, even if small, as a positive sign.
Red Stevens stared back at us from the large screen. He had a bit of a mischievous grin on his face which I suspect came from his private thoughts about Jason’s work experience on Gus Caldwell’s ranch.
His voice boomed out, “Well, Jason, welcome back from the Garden of Eden—better known as Texas. Since I am talking to you now, I will assume you survived a month with Gus Caldwell. I always found that soaking blistered hands helped.”
I actually heard Jason let out what might be described as a brief chuckle.
Red continued. “Today, we are going to talk about what may, indeed, be the most misunderstood commodity in the world. That is, money. There is absolutely nothing that can replace money in the things that money does, but regarding the rest of the things in the world, money is absolutely useless.
“For example, all the money in the world won’t buy you one more day of life. That’s why you’re watching this videotape right now. And it’s important to realize that money will not make you happy. I hasten to add that poverty will not make you happy either. I have been rich, and I have been poor—and all other things being equal—rich is better.”
At that, we all laughed.
Red took on a more serious expression and continued. “Jason, you have no idea or concept of the value of money. That is not your fault. That is my fault. But I am hoping in the next thirty days, you can begin to understand what money means in the lives of real people in the real world. More of the violence, anxiety, divorce, and mistrust in the world is caused by misunderstanding money than any other factor. These are concepts that are foreign to you because money to you has always seemed like the air you breathe. There’s always more. All you have to do is take the next breath.
“I know that you have always flashed around a lot of money and spent it frivolously. I take the responsibility for this situation because I deprived you of the privilege of understanding the fair exchange between work and money.
“Last month, you began to get just an inkling of the pride and satisfaction that can come from doing a good job even at the most menial task. Since money is the result of most people’s labor, I think you need to begin to understand it.
“If Gus Caldwell had paid you for the work you performed last month, you would have earned approximately $1,500. I know that it seems like almost nothing to you, but I can assure you it is the going rate.
“When you leave today, Mr. Hamilton will hand you an envelope that is inside the box. The envelope contains $1,500. During the next month, I want you to go out and find five different people who are in situations where a portion of that $1,500 can make a real difference in their lives. I want you to notice how anxiety caused by a lack of money is affecting them in real ways, and how once you give them the money, they can focus on real and important issues in their world.
“I realize that in the past you have probably blown $1,500 in a few hours with some of your so-called friends. Now it’s time to begin understanding what $1,500 can do if it’s put in the right place.
“By the end of this month, you will report five such instances to Mr. Hamilton, describing each situation and what you did about it. If Mr. Hamilton feels you have learned the lesson of the gift of money, I will talk with you next month.”
Red’s image faded from the video screen, and we sat in silence for a few moments.
Jason turned to me and said, “I’m not sure I understand what it is I’m supposed to do. Where do I find these people, and how much—”
I interrupted him by explaining, “Young man, you heard your instructions just as I did. I am not authorized to give you any additional information or assistance. This lesson, like all of the others your great-uncle is trying to teach you, is one you must learn primarily yourself. I can assure you that Red Stevens was a thorough man, and he has given you everything you need to succeed.”
I reached into the box and took out a small envelope just as Red had described. I handed the envelope to Jason and said, “We will look forward to hearing from you on or before the end of the month.”
Jason rose slowly with a bewildered expression on his face. He turned and slowly retreated to the door. Miss Hastings and I remained in the conference room for several minutes. Finally, she broke the silence. “I don’t think he has any concept of what to do with that envelope full of money.”
I thought for a moment and then replied, “Most of us have learned about money over a number of years. Jason has been absent from school, and he has a lot of catching up to do.”
 
It was the next to the last day of the month before we heard from Jason, and I will admit to being a bit anxious about his progress. Jason arranged an appointment for the next morning. At the appointed hour, Miss Hastings ushered him into my office, and he and Miss Hastings sat in the two leather chairs in front of my desk.
Jason seemed a bit nervous and uncertain of himself. I paused for a few moments, thinking about what I might have done had I been given one month to find five people whose lives I could affect with money. I resigned myself to performing my tasks as Red Stevens’ attorney and the executor of his estate. I knew that if Jason had not lived up to the letter of the agreement, I would have to end the journey at that point. That was a prospect that did not appeal to me for Jason’s sake and, I must admit, for my own as well.
Finally, I turned to Jason and asked, “Well, young man, are you prepared to present your report?”
Jason nodded and drew a piece of crumpled paper from his inside jacket pocket. He cleared his throat and began to speak slowly. “Well, I’m not quite sure if this is right, but here goes.
“First, I was driving late one evening and passed one of those fund-raising car washes people hold in parking lots. It was nearly dark, so I knew they were about done for the day. I asked the man in charge what group this was and how they were doing. He told me that it was a group of inner-city Boy Scouts who were trying to raise the money to go to their Jamboree the following week. He went on to explain that it had been a bit disappointing because this was their last effort, and since they were a bit short, at least one or two of the boys were not going to be able to go. I asked him how much they needed to reach their goal. He seemed discouraged when he replied that they were almost $200 short, and they were going to have to clear the lot within ten minutes. I pulled my car into the space designated and told the boys to do their best job. When they were done, I handed one of the boys $200 and drove away.”
Jason looked up at me seeking approval. I merely nodded for him to continue. Although he was still shaky, he seemed to be gaining momentum as he consulted his sheet.
“Next, I found myself at the mall looking for a parking space. I spotted a young woman holding a baby, standing in front of an old car, and shouting at a guy driving a tow truck parked behind her. The two seemed to be really arguing, and since they had one of the best parking spaces, I stopped and asked what the trouble was. The guy told me he worked for ABC Used Cars and that the girl had missed her last two payments. He told me that the payments were only $100 a month on an old junker like that. The girl began crying and said that her baby had been sick, and if she lost her car, she wouldn’t be able to keep her job, and then she didn’t know what would happen. I asked the tow truck driver how much the balance was on her car loan. He told me it was four more payments of $100 each. I gave him $400 and got a paid-in-full receipt for the young mother. Here’s a copy.”
Jason dropped a soiled and creased receipt on the edge of my desk, and then he pressed on. “While I was in the mall, I discovered a young husband and wife with two small children shopping in a toy store. Each of the children repeatedly asked for various toys, but their parents regrettably told them that Santa Claus probably wouldn’t come this year since their father had lost his job. While the children were at the end of another aisle looking at some stuffed animals, I handed the mother $300 and asked her to be sure that Santa made it to their house this year.
“As I was leaving the mall, I noticed an old woman sitting on a bench. As I passed, she dropped her purse, and when I picked it up to hand it back to her, I noticed that she had been crying. When I asked her what the problem was, she told me that her husband, Harold, and she had been married fifty-seven years and, for the first time in their lives, they just couldn’t make it. His heart pills cost over $60 a month, and the pharmacy in the mall wouldn’t take her food stamps for the medicine. I spent $200 buying a three-month supply of Harold’s heart medication and leaving her $20 to take him out for his favorite lunch.”
Jason looked at me expectantly, and I smiled at him and said, “It sounds good so far, but you were instructed to find five examples.”
Jason appeared more nervous than ever as he explained, “While driving one day, I discovered a car broken down at the side of the road. I got out and met a young man named Brian. He’s about my age, and we found we have a lot in common. I used my cell phone to call a tow truck, and they towed him into a garage. The mechanic said the engine in the car was really shot and needed to be replaced.
“Brian was totally panicked because he needed the car to get back and forth to school and work. The mechanic said it would cost $700. Brian nearly went into shock because he didn’t have any money, so I gave him the $700 he needed to get a new engine.”
Ever efficient Miss Hastings seemed to have an emotional quiver in her voice as she said, “Sir, that seems to add up to $1,800. I believe the original document called for only $1,500.”
Jason seemed alarmed as he leaned forward in his chair and said, “Well, I put in $300 of my own money. Is that okay?”
Miss Hastings beat me to the punch and replied, “Of course, it’s okay. Mr. Hamilton is a fair and reasonable man.”
She glared at me and said, “Aren’t you, Mr. Hamilton?”
I assured both Jason and the indomitable Miss Hastings that I was fair and reasonable, and Jason had learned an important lesson in the value of money. I hoped he would never forget his lesson. I knew I never would.
FIVE
 
THE GIFT OF FRIENDS
 
It is a wealthy person, indeed,
who calculates riches
not in gold but in friends.
The next morning, Miss Hastings let me know that Jason Stevens had arrived and would be waiting in the conference room. After his successful journey into the realm of work and money, I had hoped that his sullen attitude would have improved; however, upon entering the conference room, I rapidly discovered this was not the case. Before I could even sit down, he started in on me.
“Look. Why do I have to go through all this stuff? This is ridiculous. You have a copy of the will. You must know what it is that I’m going to inherit. Why don’t we just cut through all the garbage and get down to the bottom line?”
I smiled at him and said, “Good morning, Jason. It’s nice to see you, too. I had hoped after your great-uncle’s lesson in money, you would be more understanding of this process.”
I rose to my feet slowly—which is not unusual when you’re eighty years old. I gave him a stare that I had used successfully during my years as a judge. “Young man,” I said, “you have two—and only two—options. You can go through this process the way Red Stevens laid it out for you, or you can quit right now; but I will tell you one thing, your attitude is putting you dangerously close to losing the ultimate gift that your great-uncle planned for you.”
Jason leaned back in his chair and sighed. “Okay, let’s get on with it,” he said. “What’s next?”
Miss Hastings brought in the box and set it on the table next to me. I took out the next videotape, and Miss Hastings started the VCR. Once again Red Stevens appeared and began to speak.
“Jason, as you heard me tell Mr. Hamilton at your first meeting, he is quite simply my best friend.
Friend
is a word that is thrown around far too easily by people who don’t know the meaning of it. Today, people call everyone they know their friend. Young man, you’re lucky if you live as long as I have and can count your real friends on the fingers of both hands.
“I am now going to share a story with you, Jason, that I promised I would never tell as long as I lived. Since you are watching this after my death, and in the presence of the one whom I promised, I feel comfortable sharing it. As you know, I lived past my seventy-fifth birthday and enjoyed what to most people was a long and healthy life. But this was not always a sure thing.
“I remember when I had just turned thirty-eight years old and was hospitalized with an extreme fever. The doctors weren’t sure what was wrong with me, so they brought in every specialist from across the country. Finally, I was diagnosed as having a rare kidney disease which was incurable. The only hope they gave me was a new procedure called a kidney transplant.
“You’ve got to realize that this was unheard of at that time, and donors were not readily available as they are today. I called Mr. Hamilton, who has always acted as my attorney, and told him we would need to start a nationwide search to find me a kidney. I was very frightened because the specialist had told me that without the transplant I might not have more than a few weeks. You can imagine my relief when Mr. Hamilton called me two days later and told me he had located a kidney on the East Coast.

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