Dane
Fifteen months later
I sat behind my office desk, fiddling with a pen. Behind me, through the soundproof glass window of my office, the busy New York streets were huddled with people. I looked over my shoulder, saw the lights and imagined the sounds I couldn’t hear. I wondered what Em would think of this place, and a smile crept up on my face the moment I thought of her.
The intercom on my desk buzzed and Tina’s voice came though. She was at her desk outside my office door.
“Sir, Mr Bradbury is here to see you,” she said.
“Send him in, please,” I said and I turned my wrist to look at the watch. It was nearly nine, pretty late already. Not that it mattered. It wasn’t like I had anything to do or anyone to go home to.
Matthew walked in deliberately and went straight for the swivel chair across from me.
“How are things, Dane? Congratulations on the new account by the way,” he said, taking his seat and I smiled absent-mindedly at him. I was still thinking of Em and what she might think of New York. She had never been outside Tramore, and I wondered if New York might scare her.
“Thanks, Matthew,” I said and realized that he was staring at me.
“Your thoughts are elsewhere, son,” he said and I blinked my eyes. I shook my head and smiled again.
“Yeah, no…tell me what I can do for you,” I said to him and Matthew stood up and walked over to the small portable bar in the corner of my office. I never drank at work, but I had decanters full of the finest Scotch just in case a client or Matthew popped by. It always seemed to work like a charm.
“And I notice that you haven’t shaved in a few days either,” Matthew said, ignoring my previous question. He was pouring himself a few fingers of my whiskey, and didn’t bother offering me any. There was no such formality between us anymore, even though he was my boss.
My hand flew up to my chin, with which I felt the stubble.
“Yeah, I apologize. I’ve been a little distracted lately,” I said and cleared my throat. I knew I had no good reason to act in an unprofessional manner. Not presenting myself well was uncalled for.
Matthew returned with his drink and sat down on the chair again, easing himself back with the help of the spring at the back of the chair. He was watching me closely, trying to size me up.
“Is this about your daughter?” he asked and I looked at him, trying to decide whether to discuss it with him. If he would even understand.
“Yeah, she’s turning two in three days,” I said with a smile I couldn’t suppress. Matthew smiled too and nodded his head.
“I can’t even remember what Piper was like at that age. I’d have to watch a few home videos to recall that. They grow up so fast,” he said and took a long sip of his drink. I nodded my head knowingly. I knew exactly what he was talking about. It seemed like it was just yesterday that I’d first laid eyes on Em, and she was nearly two already.
“How long has it been since you last saw her?” Matthew asked, when he saw that I was still distracted. I looked back at him and licked my lips.
“Two months,” I said and felt the back of my neck burning up. It had been too long. Matthew pursed his lips and nodded his head.
“And what about the mother, won’t she bring her to you?” he asked, eyeing me confidently. I clenched my jaw at that. Matthew was never a man of sentiments.
“You mean, my girlfriend? Her name is Sydney and no, she has a business to run,” I said to him.
Matthew looked slightly surprised.
“So, you both are still together?” he asked and a laugh escaped my lips.
“Yeah, we’ve been together for over a year now,” I told him and placed my hands on the table. Had he never heard of long distance relationships?
“Impressive,” Matthew said and nodded his head. “And she won’t move to New York for you?” he added and I smiled at him.
“Why should she?” I said and Matthew stared at back at me, with just a grin on his face. I didn’t blame Piper anymore for wanting to revolt against her father, if that was what he thought the role of a woman was.
“I suppose I’m just old fashioned,” Matthew said and sat back in his chair and knocked the drink back. I nodded my head, because I agreed with him. Although, Matthew being old fashioned didn’t diminish how much I missed Sydney and Em. I wished I could have them with me all the time.
“Such is life, though, eh?” Matthew said and stood up from his chair. I stood up too and stuck my hand out at him. He looked at my hand quizzically, he wasn’t expecting a handshake.