I took an early retirement from a big name phone company and went to work for start up phone companies.
The first one was bought by W-com and we were all let go. I was a vp at the 2nd one. Over the network and call centers. I was not privy to the budget nor saw how money was being spent. A friend was Sr. VP at this company. I was to get 1500 shares of stock. The plan was to get it up, working and sell to W-com. The Ceo, COO and Sr. VP all bought new homes out of the borrowed money along with other things. They went to NY to get a 2nd round of financing with the capitol venture folks, 150 Million. They were told, nope you did not manage the 1st 150 mill right.
The company was sold for the network. Everyone was let go. My friend told me I would not be getting any stock due to it was only worth .80 cents. I was not happy. It jumped up to 10 bucks per share with the new company. This was to be my retirement. I was not happy. I knew my bud had bouts with depression and drank heavily after work. I had quit hanging around him for these reasons.
Shortly after that my wife and I went to the airport to pick up her mother who flying in from LAX. There in the airport was my old bud. He was turning his back and walking sideways so I would not see him. My MIL had one stop, Denver, this is where my Bud was from and he was there to pick up his wife. I said a few things to him, he scurried down the terminal. I was following not knowing at that moment he was going to the same arrival as us.
He got red faced, nervous if you will, every time he looked back and saw me. When he got to the plane he ran up the plane exit ramp and waited for his wife out of my sight. This was before 911. He came up the ramp clutching his wife's arm. He was going to pass in inches of me. I put my hand on his shoulder, his knees buckled, I caught him and pulled him up. I said I want to let you know I am not going to do anything, but we were long time friends and I'll never forgive you.
He moved back to Denver living on my money...
What goes around comes around. Several months later I started getting calls from other folks who had worked there. He stuck a 357 in his mouth and pulled the trigger. Most folks were not going to get stock and had a different perception of him. They cried and wailed about what a shame it was. I told them yes it was a shame, he has a 11 year old son who will have this on his head for the rest of his life. And I wonder if messed up business deals drove him over the edge.
Sorry, I usually am a very giving and compassionate soul. In this case I found no empathy.
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