24
Beckett
F or the first time that I can remember it feels strange being in the city.
Everything feels loud, the streets feel overcrowded, and the Friday traffic is chaotic.
Helen and I arrive at my office building and I look around the busy street as I get out of our chauffeured SUV, taking in the hectic scene around me. I’ve been coming to this building since I was in middle school, coming after school to work with my father and soaking up everything that I could learn from him and his employees.
There’s never been a time that I can remember coming here and not feeling a jolt of excitement run through me. My mind would light up by the time I hit the elevator, ready to see what new projects were being worked on, or full of anticipation to show my father a new idea I had.
It is the place where I spent more time with my father than anywhere else as an adult. Both of us being workaholics and loving what we did for a living.
I’ve been so connected to this place that for a while after he passed away I couldn’t even come into the office, fearing that coming here wouldn’t feel the same anymore.
But thankfully the good energy stayed the same. It was like I could still feel my father here regardless of whether or not he was still physically present. I moved into his office and felt a familiar comfort sitting in his seat every day, working at the very same desk where he created his first business plan for Kade Technology in our old apartment.
But now, as Helen and I make our way up the elevator to the top floor, I feel an unusual disconnection that I’ve never experienced being here.
It’s like I’m seeing everything from a different perspective that somehow no longer fits the new direction my life has taken.
“Sir?”
My eyes move to see Helen standing outside of the elevator doors holding them open for me, her face puzzled and a bit concerned.
I clear my throat realizing I don’t even remember riding up twenty-five floors to our office. I straighten my suit jacket, clearing my throat, “Sorry about that,” I respond, stepping out into our lobby.
Wanda our receptionist stands up to greet us, and I speak to her briefly before continuing to the hallway. “You can just go to your office and I’ll catch up with you later,” I tell Helen, before veering off towards Bobby’s office.
His door is cracked open, but I knock on it before going inside. He looks up from his computer and gives me a wide smile, coming over to give me a hug.
“The city almost crumbled and fell apart while you were gone brother,” he jokes, as we settle down into two seats at a table in the corner of his office. “I don’t know how much longer it could have lasted without you.”
“By “city” you mean you, right?” I respond, setting down my bag and taking out my laptop.
He chuckles, fixing his tie. “Hilarious, B. You ready to go over some notes for today? I told everyone that we would meet in the larger conference room in an hour.”
“That’ll work,” I agree booting up my laptop.
We work side by side like we have for over a decade, going over our notes, and then the visual presentation our Marketing department has created. After we are done, I take off my reading glasses and rub my eyes.
“Are you good, B? Is stuff with Edison stressing you out?” Bobby asks, getting up and going over to the coffee machine in his office. He pours some coffee into two cups and brings them over, handing one to me.
I mumble a “ thank you ”, and he sits back down, studying me. I take a long sip of the strong brew I love, feeling my body slowly come back to life before I respond.
“You know, I thought you would bring Edison and Dragana with you. Show him around his new stomping grounds and everything. Maybe stay through the weekend,” he continues, watching me with concern.
I set my mug down and crack my neck. “It isn’t the right time. I wanted to just focus on getting this deal finalized, and he has school on Monday. Better to not have him do too much traveling and touring around, then have him wake up early Monday for school. The city could be overwhelming for him on his first visit.”
Bobby grins over at me, laughing.
I narrow my eyes at him, “What?”
He shakes his head, rubbing his hand over the stubble on his face. “You just sound like such a.. dad . You’ve really taken this roll seriously, B. I’m proud of you,” he says, his expression turning serious.
I look down at my hands, “Thanks man. I’m trying to do the best I can. How about we get this wrapped up and we can get to the staff meeting. I need to check in with Dragana too.”
◆◆◆
After I check in with Dragana and send Selah a text, we meet with our team and have our presentation rehearsal. Soon, Benito and his team are arriving just as Helen, and Bobby’s assistant Megan, are finishing up setting up beverages and some light snacks in the conference room.
Our presentation goes even better than expected our message clear, and the visual aspects are engaging and eye catching. Benito and his VP look engaged throughout, and Benito especially seems very impressed with everything as he watches attentively.
When it wraps up we answer their questions, and everyone shakes hands. Benito asks to speak to me alone and we wait for everyone to clear out of the conference room.
I move to take a seat next to him, and sit quietly, waiting for him to speak first. He’s a hard man to read just like I am, so I don’t want to play my cards before he does.
He taps his fingers on the table, looking me in the eyes, “I have to be honest Beckett, this was damn impressive. I thought I would need more time to look things over, but honestly, I’m sold. You’re company has an admirable track record, and I know what a hard worker you are. Let’s get this rolled out together, and see what else we can develop together in the future too. I think we both have a very similar vision,” he says, finally smiling.
He holds out his hand to shake mine and my forehead wrinkles in surprise. I knew that things went well, but I didn’t think he would really decide this fast.
I smile and shake his hand as we both stand up. The moment feels completely surreal. We’ve been hoping just to get a meeting with him for so long to team up, and now it is finally going to happen. We are going to create a game that will blow everything in its category out of the water.
He pats me on the back, and I finally feel like I can breathe again. “We are going to make some big waves together, Benito. I’m really looking forward to it.”
◆◆◆
A few hours later, Bobby and I sit at Gotham Restaurant wrapping up dinner and a celebratory drink or two.
This entire day has felt like a crazy whirlwind of planning and celebrations. After I shared the good news about our deal with Global Games to my staff, everyone was elated. I gave a brief speech thanking everyone for their hard work, and for keeping things together in my absence over the past few weeks.
The rare giant smile on Bobby’s face hasn’t wavered since I shared Benito’s acceptance with him. He, more than anyone, understands what this means for our company. We are already at the top of our game with developing apps, but this will take us into different gaming systems, and put our name up there with the biggest in the industry.
We’ve talked about what our next steps will be, and scheduled out meetings for the next month to get things rolling. The only thing we haven’t discussed is probably the one thing that will make the smile on his face disappear.
I put my glass down, knowing there’s no sense in delaying my news any longer. “I’m going to stay in Upwood for the summer,” I announce.
Bobby’s body stiffens, before he slowly sets down his glass. “You.. why ? I thought everything was good with Child Services and you all would be clear to travel as soon as school ends?”
I place my elbows on the table and fold my hands, “Everything is good with that, yes. But I just see Edison finally finding his peace now and finally feeling comfortable with me. I want him to continue to be able to finally have a normal life, and be able to do things kids his age do for a little longer there with his friends too. His birthday is coming up and he’s never even had a birthday party, or really celebrated it. I figured I could invite a couple of his friends over you know? Do something fun for him there,” I explain, smiling at the thought of how excited he will be.
Bobby nods, surprise still written all over his features, “Ok, I get that, but what else is going on? I can tell you’re holding back something,” he says.
I frown, grabbing my drink and draining the rest of my bourbon. “I met someone. And she’s.. everything I never realized I needed, Bobby. Beautiful, smart as hell, and has the biggest heart you could imagine,” I say, my mouth curving into a smile as I picture Selah in my mind. “There are things about her that are so incredible but she doesn’t even know it.”
“You found someone you’re that serious about in Upwood ?” he asks, squinting at me. “You sure her parents aren’t cousins?”
I glare at him, reaching in my pants to take out my phone. “I told you it’s not like that there. It’s a small town, yes, but it’s not full of backwards Hillbilly’s, despite what Charlie was doing there,” I defend, swiping through my phone before handing it to him.
He takes it and I watch as his eyes grow comically large as he looks at the picture of Selah I swiped from Upwood Elementary’s website.
“Damn. Women like this live in the mountains?” he mutters. He brings the phone closer to his face, and I snatch it away from him.
“That’s enough,” I grumble, pocketing it again. “Her name is Selah, and we just click, Bobby. I need more time to develop a relationship with her, and build a good foundation. I can’t start this on the right foot being long distance.”
Bobby rubs a hand over his mouth still looking shell shocked. He knows I’ve never been one to make such large declarations about a woman. I’ve had a few relationships before, but nothing that had me ready to change my whole schedule, or shout from the Empire State Building about how incredible a woman is.
“Wow, Beckett. Well if you need the time, I’ve got your back, like always. I might need you here a few more times throughout the summer but I think things are going smoother than I expected. You’re doing a great job keeping up with everything man, really,” he says, smiling reassuringly. “You take care of Edison and your new lady, and we will keep moving forward and communicating just like we have been.”
We wrap up our bill, Bobby insisting on covering it, and then make our way outside. We stop by his car and he turns to me, giving me a hug goodbye.
“Have a safe flight back, B. I can’t wait to meet Edison and Selah. Hell, maybe Natalie and I will come visit you out there this summer,” he says.
“That’s not a bad idea. Let’s make that happen, brother. I think you’ll be surprised how much you like it there,” I say, patting his shoulder.
He laughs, “Well if the great Beckett Kade wants to spend his summer there, I guess that Upwood can’t be that bad after all.”