It was midnight and I was inspecting my nails as I sat at my father’s left hand, across from my brother.  I didn’t like coming to these “family” meetings since they weren’t real family meetings anyway and since there wasn’t any real reason for me to attend.  These meetings were all about the family business which Glen would be given control of once my father decided to retire.  I was forced to come by my dad who liked to say that he could always decide to give us half and half, even though we both knew he wouldn’t.  I didn’t even want him too, Glen had already promised that I could continue to live my life like I already was once he was in charge and that’s all I wanted and needed.

Honestly, I was not a fan of the family business; my other brother, Clay, felt the same way.  We differed in that I stuck around while he went to a boarding school, then a college on the opposite coast, and is now practicing medicine in a third-world country or something.  Unfortunately for me, because I stuck around, I have to hear all about the dirty details.  I was one to believe that ignorance was bliss under these circumstances.

”The body count is piling up, as are the number of guys we have in prison or in the hospital.  What’s not piling up are our profits.  We need to think of something and act quickly,” Glen punctuated with his fist hitting the table.

”Glen, you need to remain calm and keep your composure.  You can’t forget about the treaty.  We drew the line that split up the area; even went ahead and included areas we didn’t already have, giving us the ability to expand while only having to fend off weaklings.  Some of their men crossed the line and so have some of ours, so we have no real right to start something when we are as much at fault as them.”

”But-“

”Don’t worry, Glen.  I’ve actually called this family meeting to not only talk about how business is but also to announce that the Davies want to have a friendly chat with us about what is going on.  So, if we are ready to wrap this up, we should all head over there now, and yes, you too Spence.  Is everyone ready to leave?”