Chapter 4 - Foreclosure

As Lance reviewed contracts and analyzed spreadsheets, Cathy picked up a book and reclined on the couch. She intended to read but was in a reflective mood. Her mind wandered to her high school glory days. As the head cheerleader dating the all-league quarterback, Cathy seemed to have a glorious future in front of her. When no scholarship offers came for a talented but undersized quarterback, six foot and 175 pounds, both enrolled in the local community college. Two winning seasons later, there was rekindled hope for collegiate glory, but alas no major college came courting. Her boyfriend became sullen and inattentive, but Cathy clung to the hope of their future. At the final blowout party before venturing off to a four year institution, Cathy lost track of her beau only to find him banging the one skanky cheerleader, who already slept with half the football team. Crestfallen Cathy returned home and ended her academic pursuits. With her dreams crushed, Cathy took a job at Lance’s grocery store.

During his senior year in college, Lance’s father suffered a massive heart attack that left him an invalid. Taking care of the store and tending to Dad’s medical needs left Lance’s mom exhausted. Lance had dreamt of moving to the big city and making his mark. Instead he returned to rescue the family business. At first Lance took up the slack by replacing his father in the butcher shop. Mom tried to keep up with the inventory, keeping the shelves stocked, and dealing with the books, but it was too much. Eventually, Lance hired another butcher and started managing the business. He immediately realized that the grocery store wasn’t stocking enough items used every week by customers to meet their needs and his customers were traveling to other stores in nearby towns. After Lance secured financing to purchase the abandoned furniture store across the street, he opened a full service, modern grocery store to serve the community. Only in his mid-20s, Lance’s stature in the community made mercurial rise for his business acumen and his store became the place to shop, bump into your neighbors, and catch up on all the gossip and events in town.

Lance was voted on to the city council at the age of 26 and became a fixture in community activities. One reason for his high profile was the promotions held at the store. La