Chapter 8 - Richard Was Not Broke—He Was Afraid of Becoming Ordinary
The forensic review of Richard’s business was not sophisticated.
No FBI.
No hidden offshore accounts.
An accountant.
Bank statements.
Tax returns.
Vendor balances.
Mercer Marine Service was:
failing.
Revenue had fallen from:
$486,000
five years earlier
to:
$239,000.
Richard still maintained:
shop lease,
two employees,
truck,
equipment,
insurance.
He drew:
too much personally.
Not luxury yachts.
Ordinary leakage.
Restaurants.
Fuel.
Boat costs.
Cash withdrawals.
Keeping up:
the image of being Richard Mercer, business owner and lake-house patriarch.
He could have:
downsized,
worked alone,
sold equipment,
closed the shop,
taken a maintenance job at a marina.
He refused.
Why?
Identity.
Carol died.
House sold to:
me.
Daniel married.
Richard had already lost:
roles.
Business owner was the one remaining title nobody could remove.
So he spent:
money
to preserve:
identity.
Then needed:
our money.
The refinance was not about survival.
It was about refusing:
transition.
That made me angry.
Then sad.
May you like
Neither emotion required me to fund it.
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