A little too young

Esther, you have to place your order now, you have been staring at that phone screen since we got here, and we are running late for church,"Craig, Esther's father", said as he stretched his hand across the table to snatch the phone from her.Totally aware of what her dad would attempt, Esther quickly hid the phone from his reach and rolled her eyes at him. "Uhh daddy come on, we just got here, and please don't pretend you wouldn't rather be out with Uncle Larry and em boys having shots at a bar downtown". Craig smiled eerily, and looked with the corner of his eye at Esther's mother who was sitting a few inches to his left, and hoped she was engrossed enough in the phone call she was making to pay no attention to what his loose- lips daughter just blurted out. "That was supposed to be our little secret, young lady!" Craig whispered as he s*****d her playfully on the back of her head. Ouch!, Daddy!, "Now I'm definitely telling her". "Tell me what"? Felicia asked as she put her phone in her purse and placed the back of her hand on her head as if she got sick from the forty-five minute phone call she just got off, and was trying to check how hot her head burned. phew!, She sighed. "Tell me what"? "Nothing dear, how was the conference call"?,"Craig cut in","You know you really need to cut it down on these calls, they take a toll on you". "We pay all those staff all that money so you wouldn't have to go through this kind of stress". Pleased he had dodged that bullet, Craig poured her a glass from the bottle of the 1945 Domaine de la romanee he ordered earlier, and kissed her softly on the head." Baby, you know how I am, I can't just let them run the business to the ground.I know I can be stern and strict on a bad day but I'm sweet most of the time and they try to take advantage of that". Felicia always had a passion for baking, so it was no surprise to anyone when she dropped out of law school to pursue a career in the culinary field. Her parents were disappointed and didn't approve at first, but she won them over when her bakery featured in the 31st issue of the new - York city "Bake it" magazine.Felicity bakers was a household name in the field, all thanks to Felicia's hands on approach and discipline. " No wine for you girl", Felicia hinted as she gestured at Esther to put down the glass she had just poured for herself, "And why do you always have to order the most expensive wine in the room baby"?, Felicia asked, eyes squinted and poring as she sipped and guggled the wine, a drop or two escaping from her gapped teeth, they all laughed about it. Esther and her dad always teased her about her gapped teeth, but they both knew it really added to her stunning beauty. Felicia is as attractive as they come and the apple didn't fall at all far from the tree, as Esther was a splitting image of her mother, and they both were Craig's biggest achievement, and he has achieved quite a lot, leaving the family business and starting his own tech company, only a few years after graduating from Yale, and has made quite a fortune for himself from it. He takes more pride in what he has built for himself with Felicia and Esther than in any level of success he has reached in the tech world. Craig, choosing to ditch the family surname to go with his first name, founded Craig industries with nothing, but a crude idea and a college degree. He got no funding or any other kind of support from his family because of his rebellious act of ditching the family name and turning down the successor offer. He considered it a trap and an avenue for them to have him controlled and puppetted all his life, and he was having none of it. Craig was never one to brag or boast about wealth or material things, but he sure loved a lavish lifestyle, and Felicia would always be on his neck about it even though she never hesitated to indulge every now and then." We are having pork chops right mum"? Esther asked, like her mum ever had a say in such matters especially with her dad around to always defend her. Being the only child to a rich middle aged couple had its perks, and Esther was as privileged as every young adult in her shoes would be. Rude to an extent, you could say, but nothing more than these youngins do these days. She smoked one puff from a m*******a stick, once, out of curiosity, and swore never to do it again, as she hated it, and wondered what the whole fuss was about. Good grades, all through elementary and high school, and her parents envisioned a bright future for her. They would try all they could to make sure nothing stood in her way to the top. she was a good girl. " Order whatever you want dear", Craig said with a wink at her. Esther giggled and tapped frantically on the menu tab screen, ordering pork chops, a chicken curry, and mashed potatoes, with some vegetables for all of them.She added one more bottle of the expensive wine to their order and raised the screen up close to her dad's eyes away from the prying eyes of her mum and winked at him, letting out a chuckled laugh, and beckoning on him for a high five. Felicia laughed and wondered what she would do without both of them.Life was good and she wasn't going to let work stress make her lose track of what was most important, "Family" and she knows she has a beautiful one. The Craig family has been through hell over the years having to fight off lawsuit upon lawsuit on patency infringements for the tech company,Tech company sharks circling competition on every turn, trying to take the company down, but to no avail. They were genuinely happy and loved each other but they were running late for church and Felicia realized it and reminded them; we have just fifteen minutes till the chapel bells are rung guys, please let's wrap it up. Urrrr, such a killjoy, Craig said and hissed, making a face and pursing his lips at his wife as if he wanted to kiss her, she leaned forward to oblige but he retreated and laughed out loud like it was the funniest thing he ever experienced. Esther, a partner in crime who seemed to think it was funny too, let out a muffled burp as she nearly choked on her soda from the amusement. Yes, we have to go now, They had finished eating, so Craig waved at the waitress for their check and tucked his hand in his pocket reaching for his wallet, but dropped it and bent down to pick it up, only for his hand to be met with that of another's on the wallet. He had not noticed a tall bulky man in dark blue denim overalls, lumberjack beard covering most of his face and a toothpick hanging from the corner of his mouth, walk towards their table. Craig looked up and immediately recognized him. Quizzical look on his face, as he saw the toothpick and wondered if the company mechanic just had dinner at " Baldiani's" the creme de la creme of restaurants in the state of new York. Hey Bobby, I see you're early, sarcasm written all over his face as bobby was half an hour late and had the apologetic look. "Sorry sir, I got held up at the subway station, was a real s**t show back there sir and I had to stop by at the cleaning agency to get my boy right there", bobby said as he dusted the wallet and handed it to Craig and pointed at Charles who was standing outside the restaurant, beckoning on him to come inside and meet the Craigs. Charles had earlier chosen to stay outside and wait because he felt intimidated by the setting of Baldiani's, and cursed angrily under his breath at Bobby on getting there, he thought a heads-up would have been helpful about the kind of place they were going to and he would have dressed better. Bobby was more confident to enter because it wasn't his first time meeting the family there and Mr. Craig being highly respected and a regular customer, always informed the management before Bobby's arrival and left them a large tip for the inconvenience, else Bobby would have never been allowed to enter such a sophisticated and high class setting wearing those rugged looking overalls and unkept beard of his. Charles had no idea about the arrangement, hence his reluctance to enter. Oh come on boy, come inside, Bobby said, walking out to get Charles to come in. The security stopped them and asked to see Charles's ID, holding an electronic scanning device to Charles's head and moving it slowly downwards to the rest of his body for a proper scan. The device let off a mild beep on getting to his waist area and Charles unhook the keys from his belt hole and presented it to the security. "It's just my keys, Charles said rather calmly, trying to surpress the rage he was now feeling towards Bobby for bringing him here to be subjected to what he considered the highest form of harassment. "Jeez", Charles added. That probably shouldn't get anybody angry but Charles was a hot head and lived in the dirty parts of the city, a free spirit, considering the fact that he had access to every nook and crany of his boy hood town of "Weston county", without any restriction or routine scans like the one he had just endured. Charles has had it really hard in life, losing both of his parents in a car accident when he was just 11, having to be raised by his eldest aunt since then. Got involved with the wrong crowd all through his juvenile years and the detention centre had already gotten tired of always having him over by the time he was 17. He was a lot better now, since he was no longer a kid and life had taught him enough lessons to make him make something out of it, no matter how little. He outgrew the exuberant phase, got a job and started to earn a living. Charles got into fights every now and then and had to visit the sheriff's office a couple times but it wasn't for more than a series of questioning as he never started those fights, atleast not since he turned twenty three when he nearly beat a man to death at a bar for accidentally spilling bourbon on his shoes. Barely escaping jail time, he had to spend his life savings paying for the victim's hospital bills and compensation for the wife and children for rendering their father and husband useless and bedridden for months. He is thirty one now and he cant afford to make those mistakes he made in the past. Although calmer, and sober now, Charles was a player and was still well in the prime of his playing days. His physical build and gorgeous look, coupled with his male dominance, made it hard for ladies to resist him, and he had no problem getting acquainted with more than one of them at a time. Broken several hearts and still counting, Charles was a star player. Can we please go in now? Charles asked rhetorically, smoothening and dusting off his tattered, grease stained khaki shirt like he was trying to get off some stain the scanning device left on him. Still hesitant and abrasive, the huge, middle aged African American security personnel held his large arms across the entrance, shielding them from entering but gave in when Craig walked over to them and told him they were his guests and he was expecting them, of course not without a generous tip. Craig slipped a couple bills into the security's hand and gave him a pat on the shoulder. "Thanks a lot good sir, you are too kind", he said as he quickly let them in and walked a little bit away from the main entrance to the corner to get the bills counted. Realizing it was more than he made running double shifts for a whole week, he grinned and kissed the notes, tucked them into his back pocket and went back to his position and made a face like that didn't just happen. " Who is this young man I just had to pay all that money for", Craig asked bobby quietly, making sure Charles didn't hear it. This is the Janitor guy I told you about sir, Charles. Charles, meet Mr. Craig and the Craigs, Bobby said as they walked back to the table, Felicia and Esther were now getting up to leave so all they could manage was a wave at Bobby and Charles as they got out of the restaurant. Felicia came back hurriedly and whispered in Craig's ears, five minutes more baby, please don't get held up. The chapel was only a few blocks from the restaurant and the family loved to walk there from the restaurant, leaving their car parked at the restaurant's parking lot till after service. Even though they weren't at risk of missing anything serious at the chapel yet, Felicia likes to get there atleast thirty minutes early in order to help set up for mass and she always made Esther and her husband participate, as she thinks acts like that have heavenly rewards, and she thought they needed all the heavenly blessings and protection they could get, because she has learnt over the years that all the sophisticated security measures they had in place were never enough whenever real danger comes lurking. I'll only be a minute dear, Craig said and focused his attention on the two men standing with him, I would offer you a seat and drinks but you can see I have to go now boys, so Bobby, who is Charles again? Craig asked, forgetting all about the conversation he had with Bobby back at the office three weeks ago about him needing a new cleaning agency for their mansion, because the last one stole from them. "This is the boy from the cleaning agency sir, I see you forgot all about our talk some weeks back, Bobby looked on with anticipation hoping the boss wouldn't change his mind now that he had brought Charles all the way from the outskirts of town. Oh! Bobby, this is the man going to be in charge of my house? Craig said like Charles wasn't sitting right there, "No offense young sir", but you would understand my plight if you saw the house. " Do you even have the equipment required for such big jobs", and how much experience do you have on the job?, "cause you look like you've only been cleaning restaurants and parking lots", No offense once again, please pardon my tone. No problem sir, uhhh, I assure you I have all it takes to do a good job for you sir and I'm sure you will be impressed by the time I am done. Charles said, his voice trembling and stuttering on every word, he isn't usually so timid, but the thought of him getting the biggest gig of his life left him being a counter version of his normal self, and he didn't like the feeling, but he had to do all it took to seal this deal. "Do you have your proposal and quotation here with you"?Craig asked, rather impatient now as Felicia was now waving at him from outside the restaurant. Not right here sir but I'll send it over to the office first thing tomorrow.Craig got up to leave and called the waiter to serve them whatever they wanted, put it on my tab, he added. And lest I forget, Mr Charles, you have to fill in some paper work, you'll need a guarantor, preferably a family member or distant relative, we need to take extreme measures this time around. I'm sure Bobby here must have filled you in on the latest development. We got robbed by the last cleaning agency and they got away with it, and we intend to prevent such from happening again, atleast we'll have someone to apprehend this time if any such thing happens again. Uhh Yes, Yes, that wouldn't be a problem sir, Charles said as he stood up wiping his hands on his denim pants to shake hands with Mr. Craig, Firmest grip he ever had, Craig patted Charles's hands softly with a smile, hoping he would loosen the grip a bit. The time was far spent, and they had only a minute to the start of mass now, so Craig raced out to meet his Family. He found Felicia and Esther laughing hysterically and he wondered if him running so fast, and almost out of breath was anything to laugh about. He paid them no mind as the thought of having to attend another boring church mass was now dawning on him and it told on his mood. Yh, yh, laugh it up he said. Laugh what up dad? Esther asked, wanting to know if her father knew why they were laughing. Did you also see that fight we just witnessed? A guy and someone that looked like his lover just had a fight out here in the streets and were going to have make up s*x right in the corner, only for the cops to show up and throw them both in the van. How funny is that? Esther asked, laughing uncontrollably, begging her mum to stop mimicking the country accent the male perpetrator had, and the words he said when the police arrested them. "Hey there officer, nothing to see here", Felicia said comically, curving her lips and doing the impression perfectly. Esther couldn't take it anymore, it was too funny. Craig laughed along now, his mood lightening up as he always finds it satisfying to have a good laugh with his wife and daughter over the slightest things. Craig put his arms around Felicia's neck, and had her to the right side of him, and Esther to his left as they walked slowly to the chapel. Not minding if they were late anymore, Felicia got off from under his hold, and danced to the melodious tune from the jazz club they walked past, and beckoned with her fingers on Esther to join her. Esther, who never turns down an invitation to have a dance with her mum, quickly went over to her and twirled, Felicia catching her after the second spin, and then they tangoed. Craig smiled as people from inside the jazz bar who could see them through the glass windows clapped, and applauded them. Felicia and Esther did the "bow and wave" like they had just delivered a breath taking performance at the opera. They were all smiles as the evening breeze blew and whistled, creating a perfect atmosphere for a romantic getaway, but they had to be at church, and Craig had an idea in his mind. It had been quite long since he took Felicia out on a date and the night's weather and atmosphere made him ask himself why it had been so long? He knew they both had been working too much and he intended to do something about that. They need to have some alone time to rekindle their old flame, not that they had any major issues in that area, but some time off and a lavish romantic getaway from all the work stress and publicity would definitely suffice. Some sort of vacation, "Craig thought". On getting to the chapel, they had already missed the "Hail Mary", and the sermon was now being preached. The chapel dated back to the early fiftys. Antique chandeliers hanging from the ceilings lit up the room, ancient paintings, and statues of Christ and the holy Mary adorned the walls and stands respectively, creating a shrine like theme. The altar had a glass pulpit with flowers on the top and an inscription of "The grace", in Hebrew language and English translation in the front for the whole congregation to see. The sermon was short, and the priest, with a pot belly and snow white beard like Santa Claus rounded off with an altar call and Craig thought within himself whether it was time for him to finally be devoted and find out what the whole fuss Felicia and the church made about Christianity was about. Maybe some other time, he concluded, and slipped some money in the wooden offering box the usher passed around. Atleast I pay my tithe and I give to the poor, he suggested to himself in an attempt to kill the burning surge he was now feeling in his gut. Ohh damn it! Alright. Felicia and Esther had the most surprising look as Craig stepped out from the congregation, walking to the altar, answering the altar call. Felicia cried tears of joy and Esther held her hands, trying to succour her even though she doesn't care much for religion herself. Esther had always thought it best to be guided by morals, instead of the idea of a God up above judging and criticising every wrong mankind did, when it is clearly obvious that it is man's nature. She thought it was unfair, and would try as much as possible to do her best and not condemn or allow herself to be judged by anything or anyone. Craig, and a few others at the altar knelt in front of the pulpit saying the sinner's prayer and praying with the rosery for their salvation as entreated by the priest. Craig feared he didn't make this decision on his own, and was curious to know what the higher power had in store for him after pulling such a stunt on him and bending him against his will. He thought that was the case but soon realised it wasn't after he felt a soothing calmness and peace searing all over him from the tip of the hairs on his head, down to the sole of his feet. It was an incredible feeling, was that what it was all about? He wondered in anticipation. Smiling from ear to ear, he got up and walked back to his seat with a look on his face like he had been hypnotized. Staring into space and sitting while not noticing anything or anyone around him, Felicia snapped her fingers at his face and he came back to himself. What was that baby? She asked, you looked like your mind was in another realm. Yes it was, he answered. I think I was just born again. Oh! please cut it out dad, you could be pretending for all I know, I mean I wouldn't put it past you, considering the fact that you have faked it so many times, Esther said. Craig knew it was different this time, but he didn't feel the need to explain anything to his adamant daughter. He knew nothing he could say or do would make much difference at the moment, so he just smiled at her and suggested it was time to go home since the mass had now come to an end.