Freeborn: Chapter 19

The Decks and the Road

book 1- Freeborn

Chapter 19

Tayeton- My meeting with Walter went well.  After days of daydreaming, hoping, wondering; I got the answer to the question that had remained after I’d hung up the phone. He did know my mother, but not in the way I’d wondered about.  When he pulled up next to my truck, I could tell he was a hurried person.  I didn’t know if it was the nature of his position at the firm, or if it was just his way.  He didn’t appear surprised at all about meeting me, or my turning up, which was surprising to me because I couldn’t help but note how much we did resemble each other.    Our skin tone was alike, our eyes, and even our hair.  He stood much taller than me though, and I looked as if I hadn’t quite filled out my body standing next to him.  We pretty much stood sandwiched between our vehicles, as we went back and forth a bit about my father and my mother.  Of all the things I’d considered, I hadn’t really considered the news that my father had passed away years before.  It wasn’t hard for me to digest; not like with my mother.  It was more like someone had played a quick trick on me.  I didn’t lament.  I just owned it.  I also tried to own the fact that I was connected to a pretty big deal of a company.  The moment I had gotten the invitation to come onboard also felt as though someone was playing a trick on me, but it was no trick.  Walter seemed overjoyed at the idea.  He went on and on about filling a new opening in the company.  It was almost as if it was still Tuesday, and the momentum of meeting Mr. Wells and learning about the company had never gotten interrupted.  I just kept thinking, “I know nothing about publishing.”  I’d tried to welcome the opportunity without showing all the fear that was boiling up inside of me.  I heard myself say “sure” although I did not feel sure. 

Today, I’d showed up at a yellow three story building that was tucked away behind a popular strip in downtown Hollywood.  I could see why I’d never noticed it before.  The name was not boldly mounted on the building, but rather was on a separate pole across the parking lot written much smaller than I’d anticipated.  From the outside, everything looked smaller than the reputation it had built up and I’d read about.  It was Sunday and the lot was empty, except for Walter’s car and one other.  I knew it had to belong to Simpleton.  It was why I’d come.  He would be my new boss, and although Walter never made my coming on sound like an audition, I knew better than to take it lightly.  I showed up dressed for an interview, and tried to think of ways I could be an asset to the company.  Thankfully, none of those things came up.  There was no interview.  There was no lengthy logistics.  We gathered in Walter’s office.  Simpleton, as Walter called him, acted as if he was fully acquainted with me.  He knocked on the open door, and stood there for a moment until Walter welcomed him.  He wasn’t the big tough exec I’d envisioned.  He was simple; dressed in jeans and a t-shirt with a baseball cap on his head.  The contrast between him and Walter was extreme.  Walter was cool, and appeared to enjoy having his name on things, but Simpleton was unassuming.  He also looked as if there was more room in his body for him.  He stood petite at about five feet, eight inches.  He wore a pair of loafers with his jeans that didn’t quite make sense to me.  They were worn, and I got the sense they were beloved.  The hair hanging out the back of his hat was a dusty blonde.  He and Walter did appear to be about the same age, but at two different times perhaps.  I hadn’t gotten much of the details on how the two families were connected, but I thought to wait and let those things be unveiled.  We shook hands and Simpleton patted me on the back. 

                “Walter tells me we have new family in town.”  He joked.

                “It appears to be that way.  It’s a pleasure to meet you Sir.”

                “Just Simpleton will do just fine.  So, Tayeton, you ready for your new life?”  He was also excited, and I could tell they’d been conversing about me.  I just didn’t know what all they had discussed. 

                “We’ve been looking at your blog.  We can’t wait to hear more of your thoughts.”  He went on.  I returned to my seat, but he remained standing. 

                “Don’t bother to sit.  Let me show you around a bit.” We left the large room where Walter was busy picking up messages and going back and forth to the click of his mouse.  We walked along the carpeted path that led us to the elevator.  There were many work stations on one side and more rooms on the other.  The second floor was brighter.  The moment we got off the elevator I could feel the inspiration that must have been left behind.  Whereas the third floor had a lot of gray and blues; I was energized by the return of the yellow from the outside.  The floor was just a big square with one office on either side of the elevators, and then a “t” that created four spaces within the interior.  Each space held a small round table and a couple of supply carts.  This was where I was going to be stationed.  Well stationed was the term I had in mind, but Mr. Simpleton quickly unlocked the door to the room on the right of the elevator, and flicked the light on.  It was not a large room and was full of wooden furniture; two book shelves, a large aged desk, a wooden cabinet, and two brown leather club chairs that blended and appeared like wood also.  There was one abstract painting bursting with color that hung behind the desk and made me feel at home. 

                “If there’s anything you want to get rid of, just let me know.  Otherwise this is you.”  I stood in the room with no words.  I’d been a courier for just about five years.  Prior to that, I’d done security.  Nothing in my work history said I’d be here.  I’d heard Walter use the term director of acquisitions and it had just rolled off the skin of my ears, but there it was on the door.  I wanted to call my mother and let her know what was happening, but then I remembered she was gone.  Next I thought of Kat, but then I remembered she also was gone. 

                “Take a look around.  Get comfortable.  In the morning, you’re with me.  Be sure to have breakfast.  It’ll be a long one.”  Mr. Simpleton sat the key on the desk, and left me to myself.  I took my seat behind the large desk and cuffed my hands under my chin with my elbows on the top.  It wasn’t like me, but I found myself praying.  It wasn’t anything elaborate.  Just, “Please God, let this be real.”    

Freeborn, a novel

Freeborn

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Copyright © 2017 by Natisha Renee Williams

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