“The really nice thing is, now that Papa is a tycoon just like your grandfather, but your grandfather is real down to earth, none of us have to get all stuck up and such.”
This from ten-year-old Andrew Ludlow to nine-year-old Milton Trent absolutely folded Milton's billionaire grandfather, Mr. Thomas Stepforth Sr., who as soon as he could catch his breath called Andrew's grandfather, Capt. R.E. Ludlow so that Capt. Ludlow could have his turn, laughing until he cried.
Mrs. Velma Stepforth, wife of Mr. Stepforth, waited until later on to crack up because the conversation continued and she wanted to get it all.
“I wouldn't say – hey, Cousin Vertran, come help me out here – I wouldn't say that Pop-Pop is actually a tycoon, but more of a mogul,” Milton said, “but still, yeah, this is good.”
Nine-year-old Vertran Stepforth came over, got briefed on the conversation, and then added his input.
“I don't think Pop-Pop is either one,” Vertran said, “because Pop-Pop just doesn't roll like that, and I think this is because he has just outgrown both.”
Andrew and Milton just looked at each other.
“You can do that?” Milton said. “I mean, I know Pop-Pop has money, but, come on!”
“No, I mean, Pop-Pop is too big for both – if you look at how the Lofton County Free Voice is small and lean and mean and wrecks shop in Lofton County, Pop-Pop is definitely moguling,” Vertran said, “but then, because he is quietly doing stuff like that in a lot of different fields and making investments for others, we also see he is tycooning. It's not about the money. It's about what he is doing with it.”
“While still staying down-to-earth,” Andrew said.
“Yes, I would have to say that Pop-Pop is really is in a category by himself,” Vertran said. “Touchable tycoon isn't really a thing.”
“Neither is mild-mannered mogul,” Andrew said.
“Pop-Pop really is his own thing,” Milton said. “I mean, he still does his own barbecue and changes diapers on your younger siblings, Vertran.”
“Which is why we can all safely love him and consider him a bonus brown grandfather over at our house,” Andrew said. “We love how while your grandfather could act a fool and be a bad influence on our grandfather, he doesn't.”
“I don't think of your grandfather as all that influenceable, though,” Milton said. “We love our bonus white grandfather over here, but we don't think that Pop-Pop is likely to rub off.”
“Not that a tan doesn't look good on Capt. Ludlow or anything,” Vertran said.
“Well, yes, Papa does actually tan well,” Andrew said, “but there is a unique thing about y'all that really is y'all's own thing in terms of rich brown skin. What I mean is, people with money seem to be leading each other to be on Uppity Foolery Watch in Lofton County, but we never need to worry about that with your grandfather.”
“Oh no,” Milton and Vertran said.
“Pop-Pop has something better than money that your grandfather also has, Andy, and like Big Mama Velma says, it's way more valuable,” Vertran said.
“Common sense,” Milton said.
“Yeah,” Andrew said.
