Brazen Bossman: A Hero Club Novel, стр. 58
Carlson instantly digs into the pancakes he was craving, while I enjoy an omelet with a side of bacon, and Nathanial and his mother both chose eggs Benedict.
The food, thankfully, serves as an easy talking point for the next little while, though I am unable to ignore the fact that not many words are shared between Nathanial and his father directly.
It makes my heart ache for both of them, and my thoughts race to my own father and how desperately I wish I could see him or even talk to him.
I lean in to whisper to Nathanial, “I’m going to the ladies’ room. I’ll be right back.”
He nods and I can feel him watch me the entire way until I am able to disappear around the corner.
I take a few moments in the mirror, splashing some water on my face and taking a few deep breaths. The last thing I need to do is dump my daddy issues squarely into the lap of someone else with intense father issues.
When I’m finally able to clear my head, I head back out to the table to find they aren’t really even speaking to each other.
“Hi. I’m back. Sorry. Did I miss anything?” I ask, trying to ignite some form of conversation.
I see Nathanial open his mouth to speak, but Carlson says something first.
“Well, who is this beautiful woman? Nathanial didn’t tell us anyone else was going to be joining us today.”
I try my best to keep an even demeanor on my face because I don’t want him to feel bad, but unfortunately, I’m a bit too late.
“Dad,” Nathanial snaps, a bit too harshly. “This is Piper. She’s been with us the entire time. Piper Kingston. You’ve known her for years.”
Carlson takes a few moments and then finally speaks, “My Piper? My assistant. You’re seeing my assistant?”
“You don’t work at Lennox anymore, sweetheart. You retired,” Caroline says, trying to take his hand but he yanks it away.
“What are you talking about? That’s ridiculous. I’m not retired. I was just in the office… uh… I was just in the office a few days ago.” He begins to slide his palms up and down his trousers in some kind of nervous habit.
I’m frozen. All I can do is sit and watch the scene play out in front of me because I just don’t know what to say or how to handle this situation.
“You haven’t been in the office in over a year,” Nathanial tells him, which doesn’t seem to make things better.
“Then who is making sure things run? Who is in charge?” he asks.
“Nathanial stepped up, Carlson. We signed everything over to him, remember? You decided it was going to be for the best?” Caroline says, with clear panic in her voice. Her eyes search the scene around us. Everyone seems to be looking because Carlson’s volume is hard to ignore.
“Nathanial?” Carlson begins to laugh. “That’s rich. He’s the last person I would have asked.”
“And why is that, father?” Nathanial asks and sits up straighter in his chair.
“He doesn’t take anything seriously. He’s a screwup. You know we can’t trust him to do anything he is supposed to.”
At that, Nathanial just laughs in clear frustration, but I know, deep down inside, that hurt him.
“Carlson, don’t do that. Nathanial has been doing a wonderful job at Lennox,” Caroline says.
“Why are you lying to me?” Carlson shouts, jumping to his feet. “I have no reason to retire. Stop screwing around.”
“We aren’t, sweetie.” Caroline looks around frantically. “Please sit down.”
Nathanial and I both rise to our feet.
“Dad, you’re causing a scene for no good reason. Sit down and listen.”
“No. No. I won’t sit down and let you continue to try to trick me into… whatever you’re trying to trick me into. You even pulled Piper into this? You’re sick. All of you.”
I don’t know what he means. I don’t even think he knows what he means. He’s just confused and upset.
He tries to walk away from us, to escape the multitude of triggers that must be flying through his brain, but his second step is a missed one, and he topples forward and to the ground.
“Dad!” Nathanial reacts quickly and I’m right behind him.
Everyone around us jumps into action too, trying their best to help him up off the ground, but he pushes us away.
“No. I can get up without your help,” he says angrily.
I try to reach out again to help him, but Nathanial wraps his hand around my arm and shakes his head, stopping me.
We all watch helplessly as this very confused, very broken, very sick man ambles to his feet, hiding his embarrassment as best he can… and walks out the door.
Caroline is wiping tears away when she gathers her bag. “I have to go out there with him. I don’t want him walking away alone.”
“I’ll take care of the bill, Mom.” Nathanial walks over and kisses her on the head.
She looks my way and mouths that she is sorry.
I smile, telling her she doesn’t have to apologize. She hugs her son goodbye once more before she goes out the door after her husband.
Nathanial
“Do you have a ride share app we can use?” I ask Piper after coming back to the table once I settle the bill, throwing in some extra cash for the disturbance that was caused.
“I have Lyft.” She reaches into her bag to pull out her cell phone. “Is everything okay?”
“My mom just texted me. They are going to head back to the city. She asked me to apologize to you about all of this.” I sink back down into my chair beside her.
“It’s not her fault. It’s no one’s fault at all. Not yours. Not hers. Not even your father’s.”
I look down at my hands as memories I’d rather put away come rushing back to the forefront of my brain.
“I’m just sorry you had to see it. I didn’t want that for you. I know how much you respect