"I mean, I know there's probably a lot I should know, but anything major I should know about?"
"There are a few things that you should probably know about our families." Samantha said. "And it's better you learn it from us than when the media gets wind that we've found you. I'd rather you not learn it from a news article."
Graham was nervous, "You're not about to tell me there's a serial killer in our family, are you?"
Russell laughed. "No, nothing like that. It's just that you know I'm a prosecuting attorney. I've been doing that for the last sixteen years. Before that I was part of a large law firm. I quit because the stress we were under was too much for me and I wanted to go after people like the people I assumed kidnapped you."
"Your father is being a bit modest, he was a junior partner and him leaving caused quite a stir. While it was the best choice for us, the old stories will surface as he made quite a name for himself before leaving. In fact he could have retired at age 30 when he left instead of switching to prosecution."
"I didn't switch because of the money, obviously. I needed to do something I believed in, and people don't always understand that. However, the larger story that is going to be shared is about your Mom's side of the family." Russell explained, "Your maternal grandfather is founder of an energy company based in Chicago."
"Which one?" Graham asked, wheels turning in his mind.
"My dad founded the Excelit Corporation. It focuses on providing clean energy." Samantha explained.
"I know about it, your dad went to UW Madison and looks for new employees in the business school. I've been meeting with a recruiter from there. We're in the final steps for me to work there. That is most likely where I'm going to start working when I graduate." Graham explained. He couldn't believe that he was most likely going to start working for his grandfather's company. It's like the universe was trying to get him back to his family.
Samantha looked at Graham and then looked at Russell. "We have to keep this quite for now. We need Graham to work there without everyone knowing he's my son."
"Why is that?" Graham asked.
"You're going to be a business analyst there, right?" Samantha asked.
"Yes."
"There is some stuff going on that we'd like to have an insiders view on but if they knew you were family you wouldn't be able to get all the info on. Does that make sense?"
"So you feel there's people out to get the company that currently work there?" Graham asked.
"Not to get the company but to do things that cut corners and keep profits for themselves." Samantha explained. "If you were up for it, we would want you to figure out who was doing it and collect evidence. Of course it's up to you, I wouldn't want to make you do anything you don't want to do."
"Well I have to get the job first and then I could see if I can help." Graham said.
"Son, you'll get the job now." Samantha said.
"You need to be careful about how that happens sweetie, if he gets it with direction from higher up in the company it may make people suspicious." Russell said.
"You're right Love." Samantha said, "I was just excited. However back to the original point. Your grandfather is a millionaire and life will be changing for you. I know you grew up on a farm and didn't have a lot. But that's going to change. You have a trust fund that you can use to pay off any student debt you have."
"I don't have any student debt."
His parents looked at him, "none?"
"No, I had a full scholarship for undergrad and a fellowship for my MBA." Graham explained.
"But living expense and all that." Russell asked.
"I had a Pell Grant that took care of living expenses during undergrad and I worked part time. I only paid for housing costs from that the first year." Graham paused and noticed their curious expressions, "Noah's parents gave him the house we live in, hardly anybody knows that we live rent free. His parents figured it was the best way to help support students they believed in without all the red tape of donating to the university. Noah was friends with us Freshman year and knew we all came from poorer families. So we all were asked to be his housemates. We help with utilities and such but we don't pay rent. It's been a huge help in all our schooling. In fact I don't think some of them would still be in school if it weren't for that and the support we give each other. We've really become more like brothers."
"That's amazing, I'd love to meet Noah's parents to thank them for the kindness they showed you."
"Noah's parents are amazing people, they are like our second parents and we know if we need help we can ask them. They'll be here for graduation in a month and I'm sure they'd love to meet you, once they learn that you exist that is."
"Graham I'm really glad that people have been there to help you when we couldn't. I also want you to know that going forward we're here to help as well. Your trust fund can help get you set up when you leave college and of course we'd love to help any way we can as well."
"I'm grateful for your support. Although is there something we can do with the money from the trust fund to help others? I want to be able to help others because I received so much and feel like I got a step up in the world because of it. I have enough set aside to get myself set up after I graduate, not that I'm not grateful for the fact you guys never gave up on me and still have money set aside for me." Graham explained.
"Son, it takes a bit more to live in the real world than you might think. You'll probably need new clothes and definitely a place to live. You should see what you'll need before making other decisions." Russell said, and Graham thought he sounded just like a dad should.
"He's right sweetie. We can discuss helping people when you're a bit more settled."
Graham groaned inwardly, his parents had no idea that he'd planned for all of this for years. "Um, actually I've been investing money each month since the end of my Sophomore year. I took the money I'd have had to pay for rent and have a decent portfolio. Well decent for someone who grew up on a farm and built it from scratch. I have more than enough to set myself up without touching the trust fund." Graham said.
"Just out of curiosity, how much?" Russell asked.
"Just over 32,000. And I know that doesn't seem like a lot to you guys who are use to seeing bigger numbers from what you've told me but I've worked hard to build it."
"Graham, that's very impressive. I am so proud of what you've accomplished with your life. However you should know that your trust fund is about 100 times that amount so you shouldn't feel bad using some of it because there will still be money to help others with." Samantha explained.