Days of Darkness

Chapter 52

"Did you hear that?" I asked into the phone. I should have made the call privately and given myself more leeway.

"Ah...yeah," Caleb replied. I was so relieved to hear his awkward response. He may not want this to be date-like either.

"So?"

"Ah...sure," Caleb agreed hesitantly. "We'd have to leave around two, though." I relayed his reply, and my mother did the unthinkable.

"Good," Mom said, "have him come by around noon. We can all have a leisurely lunch." I stopped breathing thinking of a two-hour lunch with Caleb and my parents. I was too old for this type of oversight. What was going to be an evening of friendly support had turned into a small nightmare. We're all going to be staring at each other in silence for two painful hours.

"Ah...noon?" I asked, hoping he'd reconsider.

"Okay," Caleb responded after a brief pause. I was sure he was sweating it as I was. It was a small consolation knowing we both expected to be miserable. I could only hope the concert was good enough to make up for the cost.

"Alright," I committed, "I'll see you on Saturday, Caleb."

"See you Saturday, Teegan," Caleb said with what sounded like fear. I disconnected, and my father's smile grew to something bordering on victorious.

"Happy?" I asked.

"Yes," Dad replied, "I like meeting the men who are taking my daughter out."

"It's not a date!" I said much louder than necessary. Mom smiled at my reaction. "Aggh," I added as I turned and left them to have a chuckle at my expense. I would have blocked them both, but Dad was swamping me with love and security. A damn d**g I wasn't sure I wanted to live without.

.6 - Sam

"Good morning, Cindy," I said, surprising our receptionist. Chadwick construction was a fairly large firm but had a small office staff. Most of the workers were in the field. I swam in both pools.

"Sam!" Cindy said with a pleasant smile, "We weren't expecting you until tomorrow."

"Unfortunately, we ran into some problems," I said seriously, then smiled back. "Fortunately, it allowed me to surprise Natalie last night."

"Having a happy wife has to be better than a happy boss," Cindy joked. I noticed she changed her hair again. About twice a year she did something dramatic to it. This time, it was cut short, almost boyish, and dyed a deep brown. It made her look a little athletic although I knew strenuous activity wasn't on her agenda.

"Why will I be unhappy?" Jerry asked, walking in behind me. He leaned over the receptionist counter. "You can always get a new wife; bosses sign the paycheck." He was in his gray suit, the one he wore when he wanted to impress someone. That someone was never me.

"I had to delay the Pinckney project," I replied, "probably another three months." Jerry waved me into his office with a grunt. "Nice hair," I complimented Cindy quietly, though I liked the last style better. The lie was worth her smile. I followed Jerry.

Jerry signaled for me to sit in one of the chairs in front of his desk as he went to the credenza to start the coffee pot. There was always a fresh pitcher of water next to the coffee maker. I suspected it was Cindy's duty. Probably why she'll have the job forever.

"Why am I eating $150,000?" Jerry asked. He didn't look at me as he continued prepping the pot with filter and coffee. Delays in a project of Pinckney's size were about $50,000 a month. It was planned for, so most of Jerry's words were bluster.

"Carbon content was too high," I sighed. "I had to reject the steel." I am the materials expert for Chadwick construction. It took five years to get the engineering degree and to this day, I am still surprised that anyone trusts me to handle the task. I had Teegan to thank. The events that she unknowingly triggered as a baby steered me into the life I know today.

"The building had better have fallen, or I'll have your a*s," Jerry said as he poured the water.

"It wouldn't have handled the lateral stresses we planned for," I clarified. "Earthquake or high winds would have weakened it greatly. I refused to sign off though Alloy Partners was pushing hard."

"Screw them," Jerry said as he moved to his desk. "I want you at the mill when the new bars come off the line. Let's test them there so that we can shorten any further delay."

"I just got back home, Jerry," I complained.

"Yeah, I know. Happy wife and all," Jerry said as he shifted some papers around on his desk. "How is the family?"

"Fine," I said, then sensed a trap, "but they won't be if I'm always on the road." Jerry laughed. I guess he was going to use my 'fine' against me.

"How about you do a quick back and forth early next week? One night?" Jerry asked with eyebrows raised.

"I could do one night," I replied.

"Good, I don't trust Alloy Partners as far as I can throw them," Jerry continued. "You look over the New York project?"

"Briefly," I answered, "I'll take a better look this morning. What I did see looks good. No glaring red flags."

"I'll want you at the kickoff meeting on the tenth," Jerry ordered.

"No problem."

"Sanders is taking the lead, and I don't want another screw up like last time," Jerry said, making a fist and knocking on the desk. "Let him know that he can call you if he runs into a problem, okay?"

"Sure." We spent a few moments talking about Cindy's new hairstyle. Jerry wanted to bet that the next one would be a mohawk. He had a way of thinking all of his employees were younger brothers and sisters. Sometimes his comments bordered on rude, but when is anyone ever nice to a younger sibling. He never meant anything by it.

We parted company so that Jerry could prepare for a meeting with prospective clients. They were the reason for the gray suit. I moved to my office, about half the size of Jerry's. That I had an office at all was a small miracle. I smiled when I remembered Rose, Natalie's mother. She had always seen me sitting in an office like this and had faith I would achieve it. A giant leap from hauling pot for a meager living.

I moved Natalie's picture from the middle of the desk to the corner. I always, before leaving my office, move her picture to the center to remind me of why I work. Even today that woman earns more than me, but I am no longer a slouch. It's petty of me to think I still need to earn her love, but it's there, and I have long admitted it to myself. I smiled at her image, remembering how sexy she was last night. Absence does make the heart grow fonder. It also spices up the bedroom and proves we are still young at heart.

I pulled my phone from my pocket and found Hank's number. The government was a small nuisance, but this time, they might be helpful. I felt a little guilt when I hit connect. It didn't feel wholly right to spy on Teagan even if it was in my power, but a father should always use what's at his disposal to protect his children.

"Morning, Hank," I said when he answered.

"Morning, Sam. Something up?"

"Well, nothing earth shattering. Teegan's got a date," I chuckled.

"She's dated before," Hank said, "nothing strange for her age. In fact, I would say she's a little behind the curve. Something, I find more than surprising." I let my anger at the thought that Teegan was less than average on the desirability chart pass. It wasn't what Hank intended when he spoke.

"This time, she's lying to herself," I said. "She's adamant it's not a date, yet she fought with Natalie about not being able to go. Cut us all off when she didn't get her way."

"She's done that before," Hank pointed out.

"She did it in anger this time," I clarified, "to punish Natalie, I believe."

"Did it work?" Hank asked.

"Not in the way she expected," I replied, "I had to play peacemaker, and she relented, but we gave a little as well."

"She is 18," Hank said. "Can't expect her not to have a mind of her own. I'm just surprised she hasn't used her power more."

"It's not as strong as it was," I explained. "It never was as powerful for her as it was for me. Then again, we haven't needed it. That time she broke her arm, what was it, six years ago, that was the last time I ever accessed her bond like before." I had to chuckle, "Damn thing hurt like hell, and she was sitting under the tree crying for me. Now it's nothing but shared feelings, though they are kind of nice."

"You know I'm coming out there in a couple of weeks," Hank said, "Is there another reason for the call?"