He said, “Ivan, now you’re about to learn how the rich really get rich. You just bought these houses at half price, then spent good money to make them better than what they were, and now we’ll put them back on the market at three hundred and eighty thousand apiece, or a little more than the property value of the area. And realistically, you can accept anything from three hundred thousand up and still make a killing.”

Ivan nodded. “Yeah, I know how it works. I’ve done the figures. So let’s just go ahead and do it.”

Thomas nodded back and said, “Well, welcome to the land of the rich. You’re about to make yourself two hundred thirty thousand dollars and change.”

Ivan frowned. He said, “I came up with two hundred sixty-five thousand and change.”

“Minus my ten percent,” Thomas reminded him. “We did agree on ten percent, right?” he asked to make certain.

Ivan grinned and said, “Oh, yeah, I just…” He felt embarrassed and shook his head. “My bad, I was just working the sales figures.”

“And the sales figures always include the commission,” Thomas told him. “Unless you’re gonna be out there selling these houses yourself. And you don’t have the time for that. But I do thank you for giving me that ten percent. That’s nice and generous of you.”

Ivan told him, “It’s all good, man. This is a good money deal. I thank you for putting me on to it.”

Thomas responded, “This is just what the rich do, Ivan, buy low, sell high, all day long. Wait until you start getting involved in these development deals I told you about.”

Ivan stopped and asked him, “So, if you know how easy these deals are, then how come you’re not getting in on this for yourself?”

It was the million-dollar question.

Thomas looked at the young business hustler and chuckled again. He said, “You really wanna know the truth about that, Ivan?”

Ivan stared at him. “Yeah.”

Thomas explained, “I couldn’t afford the risk anymore. And most of the time, when I made any good money, it was already spent.”

He continued, “I’m an older man now, Ivan. I got a family, kids in college, two mortgages, car notes, credit card debt, health bills, back taxes, all kinds of shit. And I’m not complaining about it. I still manage to live a good life. But if I could do it all again, knowing what I know now…” He shook his head and concluded, “Man, shit, I would kill to be in your position.

“You’re young, single, vibrant, gainfully employed, with no kids, and you got two hustles bringing you in plenty of money. Shit, I’m ready to ride in this boat with you. Maybe I can get back on my grind now.”

Ivan sat back and smiled, listening to an older man using a young man’s language.