Page 45 of Uproot

Beckett

For 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.

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