Chapter 17
CHAPTER 17
L evon
I hummed as I wiped down the kitchen counter. I glanced peacefully out the kitchen window to study the garden, noticing the bright flowers that popped up in every corner.
I smiled. “The tulips look nice, Mom.”
“Thanks, Levon. I worked double on those rows. I just hope the gardenias start to sprout up.”
“I'm sure they will.”
She popped up next to me and dug her hands into the sink, dipping beneath the surface of the water to find dishes. She lifted one and began scrubbing it rhythmically.
“Why don't you go rest for a while?” she suggested. “You helped with lunch. Let me clean up the rest.”
“Alright, Mom. Thanks.” I kissed her cheek. “Holler if you need anything.”
“I will.”
I listened to her hum as I walked away, feeling a sense of serenity in being back home. I had been wanting to come home for a while. I was stoked to be back with my family and to be able to see my sister get married. Even with the strange emotions that were turning around in my gut over Clara, I was able to enjoy my time back in town.
And I wanted to keep enjoying it.
I wandered into the living room where I dove into the couch, sighing as I sank into the cushions. I spread my arms and my legs wide to stretch my muscles while releasing a great sigh. I closed my eyes. The fan turned lazily in the center of the ceiling, blowing air gently against my skin. I relaxed into the sensation as I began to doze off.
The buzzing of my phone roused me.
I sat up and rubbed my eyes, wondering if I had been asleep for a few minutes or a few hours. I chuckled to myself as I fished my phone from my pocket and glanced at the screen.
I sat up straighter and answered the call. “Hey, boss. How's everything going?”
“It's not going particularly well right now if I'm being honest, Levon.”
“Were the account reviews insufficient?”
“Not at all. They were superb, Levon. I'm just having trouble with this new client.”
I frowned. “What seems to be the issue, sir?”
“I won't beat around the bush here. Is there any way you could leave for Canada sooner?”
“How soon are you thinking?”
“I would be delighted if you could fly out as early as next week.”
I groaned internally. “I'm afraid I can't do that, sir. I have my sister's wedding coming up and I play a huge part in it.”
“I'm sure you understand the urgency of this situation. We need to send someone out who can manage this new client—and who can do it with excellence.”
“I appreciate the vote of confidence, but I'm unable to do that right now. I can still do it at the end of the month.”
My boss sighed into the phone, filling it with static. “Are you sure you can't skip the wedding?”
“That would break my sister's heart. I haven't seen her in years and I'd like to be part of this memory of hers. It would bring her so much joy. And me as well.”
“It's just disappointing to not have my best man on the job.”
I squeezed my eyes shut as I pinched the bridge of my nose. “I know this is unusual for me, but this wedding is important. I want to spend this time with my family.”
“It is quite unusual. I've never heard you reject extra travel. It's why I trust you, Levon. You've always been on top of our clients ever since you began.”
“I love my job. There's no doubt about that.”
“And you're good at it. I don't think I could trust anyone else with this client.”
I sighed quietly while staring into the fireplace. “Are you sure there isn't anyone else that could possibly pick it up? I know Bart is out of the question, but I'm sure there are other capable men.”
“That's not really an option, Levon.”
“Forgive me, sir, but I feel it's the best course of action. Leaving now would mean giving up the one chance I have to see my sister's wedding. It would mean the world to me to stay here.”
“I realize that is important, but this client's time is limited. If we don't give him the same interest he's showing, he could leave us.”
I shook my head. “Just let them know I'll be there at the end of the month. Give them my number if you must. I don't want them hanging either, but the scheduling is inconvenient.”
“It is highly inconvenient.”
I knew he meant the wedding but I disregarded it, nonetheless. I expected a certain level of professionalism from Mr. Herring. His time in the business world was immeasurable and highly coveted. Everyone wanted to know what Mr. Herring knew.
But he was proving to be a pain today.
“I don't think you understand the gravity of the situation,” he continued. “We're sitting on hot coals with no water in sight. If we don't put out the embers now, we'll have a fire on our hands.”
“I don't think coddling an impatient client would bode well for us, Mr. Herring. Their impatience could be insight into their personality and that could be indicative of how they would do business with us.”
“I don't need your opinion on it, Levon. I just need your commitment.”
“I'm sorry, sir. I just don't think I have any wiggle room here. I'm sure you understand how important family is, especially with such huge life events as these.”
“I understand, but this is much more important, Levon.”
This is a once-in-a-lifetime event , I thought angrily. How you could possibly think a client is more important than my sister?
I clenched my fist. I was finding it more difficult to keep myself cool with my boss. As much as I wanted to be of service and keep my job, I didn't think it was fair to put my neck on the chopping block to test my allegiance.
It was maddening.
I unclenched my fist and ran my fingers through my hair.
“I understand this is important to you and to the company,” I expressed calmly. “But I won't be available until the end of the month for this trip.”
“This is a huge client, Levon.”
“I understand, sir.”
“Then, you understand the importance of sending you to get them signed with us. There's no other person who could possibly deliver a better presentation.”
I tried to smile but it ended up appearing as a grimace. “Of course, sir.”
“It would mean the world to me for you to fly out next week and get them hooked. This could mean a raise for everyone—including you.”
“I just can't miss this wedding. I already regret that I have to miss the family trip since I'll be in Canada during that time.”
“Well, you can skip the wedding and return for the family trip!”
I almost shouted at my boss but I knew better than that. Yelling wouldn't appeal to his sense of reason. It would only make him angry.
And then, he might fire me.
Would losing this job be the worst thing? I frowned at the thought. Just stick to the course. He'll relent eventually.
“I don't understand, Levon,” my boss said in a low voice. “You've never turned down a trip. Why is this one any different?”
“Because it's my sister.”
“I'm just confused here.”
I shook my head. “I don't see what's confusing about putting family first.”
“This has never been your behavior. Of all the years you've worked for us, you've always put the company first. Are you sure you're not ill? You can tell us anything, Levon. We can help you however we can.”
“No, sir, I'm not sick.”
“It's just odd to turn down such a lucrative trip. You can literally have anything up there. You can even bring a family member along if you like!”
“That's still going to make me miss the wedding, sir.”
He sighed audibly. “I don't know how else to appeal to you, Levon. I've offered you everything I could possibly offer. What if I gave you a bonus for going early? I could even pitch in a gift for your sister—a rather expensive one to boot.”
“That won't help the fact that I'll be absent on her big day.”
“There's nothing a nice gift couldn't possibly fix.”
I clenched my jaw. “That's not the way my family sees it, sir.”
“Listen, you can literally ask me for anything. New car? It's yours. An early vacation? Done. Just take this trip next week and I can make just about anything happen for you.”
“I'm afraid I can't do that, Mr. Herring. It's just too delicate of a matter.”
“There's nobody better than you, Levon. I just don't want anyone else on the job to screw it up. You'll come out flying with golden stars. I just know it. But you just have to take the trip early to earn it.”
“I've done plenty in the past few years for your company, sir. I'm sure you can let this slide one time and let someone else earn their keep.”
Mr. Herring sighed. “It just disappoints me, Levon. You're the best of the best.”
“How about I think it over the next couple of days and get back to you?”
“That's the spirit. But let me know sooner than a couple of days. I want to get this trip secured as soon as possible, alright?”
“Yes, sir.”
Mr. Herring laughed victoriously. “You're the best, Levon! Call me tomorrow!”
The line clicked and I dropped the phone on the floor, listening to it thud against the carpet. It was useless arguing with my boss. He was relentless when it came to business getting done on his time instead of on a proper schedule. Since he did things so quickly, there was a certain expectation for our company to handle things with a quickness that competed with other businesses.
It made us the best, but it certainly made us suffer more as a result.
I almost hated the fact that I had participated in creating such an atmosphere. My neglect of my relationships with every person in my life had made me the best businessman in Oklahoma. I regularly received offers from other companies who desperately wanted my skills on their team. And I didn't blame them.
But it came with such a high cost.
And one of those was missing out on events that cemented my bond with the people around me. It made me miss Clara's birthday. It forced me to choose the restlessness of travel to the comfort of home. I had missed so many birthdays and holidays that I think it might have been considered a sin.
It is sinful , I considered with frustration. I've missed everything. It's a wonder no one wants to spend any time with me. They probably think it's pointless.
I sighed as I sank back into the couch. I didn't want to get up. I didn't want to do anything since my life was basically on fire. If work pressured me too much, I would surely buckle beneath it. And I didn't want to disappoint my sister like that. She was already upset about me missing the family trip at the end of the month.
I pinched the bridge of my nose as I let out a long groan.
A knock came from the door frame of the living room. I perked up and noticed my mother standing there with a tray carrying two mugs.
“I thought you could use some tea,” she said while floating into the room. She set the tray on the coffee table. “And I thought I could use some, too.”
“Thanks, Mom,” I whispered while reaching for a mug. “I appreciate it.”
“Of course, son.”
She sat opposite me with her cup, a peaceful smile on her lips. Her eyes held worry but her face spoke of the wisdom she held. And even though she was quiet, her presence was a comfort.
And that's all I really wanted.
I sat quietly with my mother and sipped my tea without saying a word. We were content this way. It was how she always comforted me throughout the years.
I just wish she could have offered me an answer to my problems.