“We’re moving you today,” Grant said with his bright smile and deep dimples.
“Moving where?” I asked, wondering what else I could possibly train for. I had been in every department of the company, and had just begun the managerial training. In truth, I had mastered everything Grant could do long before my internship, and could do it better. I had excel ent rapport with the clients, and because of my hard work over the summer, the employees had embraced me. Short from sending me overseas, there was nothing I hadn’t seen.
“Over there,” Grant nodded.
I didn’t turn around. I knew where he was gesturing. He was moving me to my father’s office, the one space in the entire building I had avoided.
“I don’t need to do that, yet,” I said, trying to mask my unease.
“Nina, you’re the CEO of this company. It’s time you took the office.”
“Why the hurry, Grant? Are you looking to retire?” I asked, fidgeting with my blouse.
“I’m not asking you to run the company, but you can’t gain respect from the staff filing downstairs with the interns. Solidify your position with your employees before you graduate and take over.”
The elevator opened and Sasha appeared, gliding a tube of lip gloss over her too-bright lip stick. “Grant, a package for you was sent to our office by mistake,” she said, handing him the large, paper envelope. “I saw a shirt exactly like that on a homeless woman this morning,” she said, staring at me with repugnance. “There are better places to shop than the community thrift store, Nina, real y….”
I looked down and then back at her, suddenly open to the idea of changing offices. “Sasha, glad you’re here. Grant wants me to take my father’s office. I’ll leave you in charge of transferring my things.”
“You’re…?” Sasha looked to Grant for indemnity, but he raised his eyebrows expectantly. Her expression scrol ed through several emotions ranging from shock, anger, to defeat, then final y turned on her heels. “I’ll take care of that right away,” she said through her teeth.
Had I slept the night before, my mood would have soared, but I simply looked at the door of my father’s office and sighed.
Grant patted my shoulder. “You’ve earned it, Peanut. And if it makes you feel better…I like the shirt.”
“Thanks,” I said, sliding from his touch.
Carl from maintenance exited the elevator, and passed by with a tool bag, a bucket, and a squeegee. He stopped at my father’s office door and peered at the black block letters on the glass.
Jack Grey CEO He pul ed a box knife from his pocket, and began scratching at the letters.
“Don’t!” I yel ed. Carl froze, and I hurried to the door, smoothing out the Y of my father’s name. “Leave it,” I said softly.
“Yes, ma’m,” Carl said, clearly rattled. He shot a glance to Grant, and then left the way he came.
“I’m sorry. I assumed you’d want your name on your door. I thought you’d like it,” Grant said.
“They can both fit,” I said. “Just put my name under his.”
“You’re the boss,” Grant said, his expression matching his tone.
I pressed the button to the first floor, and then leaned against the back wal of the elevator. “Too much for one day,” I whispered.
Above the door, the number one lit in a soft glow, accompanied by a pleasant dinging sound. The double doors spread open, and I squinted from the sunlight penetrating through the glass wal s of the lobby. To my surprise, Jared stood at the revolving door.
“It has been a lot for you today. Let’s go home.”
I smiled, remembering my whispers in the elevator.
He let me lean against him as we walked to the Escalade hand in hand. The gul s seemed particularly loud, call ing to each other along the harbor.
The breeze brought in the sweet stench of fish and motor oil. The sounds and smell s surrounding Titan always reminded me of my father.
“It’s no wonder I’m having the dreams,” I said.
“What dreams?” Jared teased.
I smiled. “Coming here everyday, being around everything that embodies what I remember about Jack. It’s not some supernatural mystery. I’m just surrounded by him.”
Jared replied only with a thoughtful nod. He was careful to avoid the subject during the ride home, sticking to the weather and happenings at Brown. Once we reached the loft, he was al to eager to start preparing dinner, so I left him to his thoughts and ran a bath in the downstairs tub.
After lingering far too long in the cooling water, I wrapped my towel around me and opened the door, noticing only one plate of food. Jared was in the corner, dripping with sweat.
“You ate without me?” I asked, sitting at the table.
“I didn't want to disturb you,” Jared said, grunting with the massive amount of weight above him.
Jared was hiding something, and his behavior told me it was probably something I didn't want to know.
I finished my dinner and started the dishwasher, and then made my way up the stairs. I slipped on my night gown and crawled into bed beside Jared. He was reading, and put his book down long enough to kiss my forehead. I relaxed, trying to think peaceful thoughts. Wondering if I would wake up screaming wouldn’t help to keep the dreams away, so I forced my mind in the direction of Jared and our Oak Tree.
“No studying tonight?” Jared said.
“Test is Monday. I’m too tired tonight.”
Jared nodded. “Mom call ed today. Bex’s coming home tomorrow.”
A yawn interrupted my response, but I spoke in spite of it. “Oh?”
“I invited him over for dinner. I thought I could whip up a pot roast.”
I smiled, drifting off. “Sounds good.”
Just as Jared kissed me goodnight, I fel , dropping thousands of feet to a dusty, wooden floor. Landing face down, my palms flat to the ground, I hesitated to move until I was sure of my surroundings. It was dark and quiet, except for the subtle disruption of the rustling of papers. I turned my head, struggling to focus two shadows on the floor; two hunched figures desperately searching.
I closed my eyes. “I’m not moving,” I said, bal ing my hands into fists. “I won’t watch.”
The rustling stopped, and Gabe whispered the warning to my father. “It’s too late.”
“I won’t watch you die tonight,” I said, gritting my teeth.
Jack and Gabe escaped with their book, and I sat on my knees. The shrieking echoed through the hal s, and my heart beat faster. I stood, determined to stay, focused on the room I was in, trying to ignore the fiendish and frightening noises growing louder as they closed in. It was my dream. I would stay.
The room blurred, and time pul ed me away. My stomach tugged, and then I was gone, violently thrust to the roof. Gabe took my father in his arms and leaped with transcendental strength to the site of my father’s brutal end. Once again I refused to move, locking my knees in place. The tugging began, but my feet remained on the ground.