Prologue
Lucas
Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.
My cell is vibrating in my jacket pocket. There are only three people who I’ve set up to allow this phone to vibrate - my wife, my brother and my Mom. All three of them know about this meeting and how important it is.
Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.
It’s distracting. And I don’t need any distractions right now.
“So Mr. Slate, that was a remarkable presentation. Any final words?” The head of the board stares at me over the edge of his glasses. The rest of the board follow suit.
My cell stops vibrating.
The only sound is the hum of the air conditioner. The late afternoon sun glints off the side of the skyscraper’s tinted windows as a flock of birds, high in the clear blue sky, make their way west.
I hold his gaze.
This is the most important meeting of my life, but I’ll be damned if I let him realize that. For all he knows, I have ten meetings like this lined up every day of the week.
“Cryptocurrency is why we’re here today.
But the wellbeing of our planet is just as important.
That's why I’ve created a currency that doesn't only exist to cancel out its effects on global warming, but actively works to create a greener, healthier environment. It’s time to forget dinosaurs like Bitcoin and its catastrophic effect on the planet.
If you want to be part of the solution, not the problem, ladies and gentlemen, Cedracoin is the future. "
Silence, again.
Then the room breaks into spontaneous applause.
Shit. This has never happened during a business meeting before. I'm trying hard to keep the shock off my face.
Mr. Barker, head of the board, stands up and walks over to me. He smiles and reaches out his hand. I extend mine in return and he grasps it with both of his.
"That's the best presentation I've seen in forty years, Mr Slate. Whatever investment you want, we're going to give it to you. You have yourself a deal." He beams at me. "Let's have a drink to celebrate."
Several hours later, I'd forgotten my cell had buzzed during the meeting.
I head home in a daze of disbelief and 100-year old brandy.
As the taxi weaves its way around the mid-evening traffic, my head is full of possibilities.
I've had success before, but nothing like this.
My company is going to grow more quickly than I ever imagined.
I haven't sacrificed my principles and I'll be putting some good back into the world.
I'm looking forward to seeing the kids, even if things have been strained with Eva recently. As the taxi draws up the driveway, none of the lights are on, except the porch security light.
I let myself in, going from room to room even though I know the overwhelming quiet means no one is home.
Switching on the light in Logan's room, the pile of his stuffed animals neatly stacked in the corner is lonely somehow.
His favorite bear is not on the bed. Zoe's room is missing the diaper bag and her toy dog that usually goes in her cot.
I walk into the master bedroom and turn on the light.
The cupboard door is standing open and all Eva's clothes are gone.
There's a handwritten note lying on the bed.
I walk over to pick it up, the excitement and glow from the brandy fading with every step.
Lucas,
I tried calling but I couldn't reach you. I can never reach you.
I'm the one holding it all together at home while you hunt down your next big goal. It's not enough for me. I'm not sure marriage was ever going to be enough for me. I'm too much of a free spirit and I need to follow my own path.
You're a good man and I know this won't be a huge surprise to you - we haven't really seen eye to eye for a long time.
Let's try and stay civil for the sake of the kids.
I've gone to my Mom's in Snowflake Falls for the weekend.
I'll bring the kids back on Sunday and we can talk about the next steps.
Eva
So that's it. My marriage is over.
I should be crushing the note in my hands and calling to beg her to come back, but I don't want to.
Eva's never been happy with my successes as it's too much of a challenge to her own. We’re too competitive with each other, for all the wrong reasons.
She has her own big plans for her fashion business.
But, I am disappointed for the kids.
It's never been in my gameplan to have them come from a divorced home. Maybe they're young enough for it not to affect them? Maybe if we keep the relationship harmonious then they can flourish?
Maybe.
I've come down to earth with a bump. I'm a million miles from the success of the boardroom and my grand plans for the future.
Zoe and Logan's faces come into my head. They're both so little and I've failed them.
I sit down on the bed and stare at the note.
It's my job to give my children the happiest future I can.
Even if they come from a divorced home, I have to ensure that.
Nothing is more important.