“It’s not uncommon, Carter. He’s growing up and on the edge of puberty; his body is undergoing hormonal changes he doesn’t understand. Plus he now has friends and has to learn to socialize and be in a group where he isn’t the main focus of attention all the time. He may have some learning delay issues, but he’s a very smart young man and highly attuned to the world around him. Maybe something happened at school that bothered him. If you’d like me to ask the paraprofessional when I pick him up, I will.”
“Would you, please? He has to know he’s safe here and protected. Last night he kept telling me he didn’t want to leave and please don’t send him away.” Carter turned away so she wouldn’t see the tears burning his eyes. “I’ll do anything to make sure he’s safe.”
“Of course.” She squeezed his arm. “You’ve done remarkable things for him; you have to know that. I’ll make sure to find out if anything is going on.”
There was so much Carter couldn’t tell her—how he owed her everything for the help she gave him, how lost he’d be without her guidance. But it wasn’t his way to be warm and fuzzy although he tried his hardest with Jacks. Instead he gave Helen a brief, tight smile and headed out the door, forcing his mind to shift to the day ahead and his business; at least there he was always in complete control. The office ran with the tight military precision he required. He might not have control over his personal life, but he damn well would in his professional one.
Which was why, when he arrived at the office and found himself waiting for his first clients to show up, his already strung out nerves frayed to the breaking point, Carter snapped at his secretary, whom he usually treated like gold. He hated when people were late; it showed a lack of professionalism and consideration.
“Lucy!” he yelled out from his office to his secretary. “Where are you?”
“I’m right here, Carter. No need to holler.”
Lucy McCrae had been with him since he started Haywood Public Relations with the idea of internet advertising marketing. No matter where people went, they had their phones; why not use their location to push ads to local business onto their social media accounts based on their shopping history? As a single mom, always looking for ways to save money, Lucy had given him the idea to offer business discounts through coupon codes on their smartphones, and the business took off from there.
Instantly contrite, Carter backed down. “I’m sorry. Rough night.”
Lucy, one of the few people who knew about Jackson’s existence, gave him an understanding squeeze of his shoulder and a small smile.
“I’m sorry. Is it Jackson?”
Lucy might know about his brother, but that didn’t mean Carter wanted her sympathy. Care and concern, no matter how generous, grated on him.
“It’s all fine. But where’s my first appointment? They should’ve been here ten minutes ago. I have another meeting at ten and then lunch with that couple who’re flying in from Florida.”
“Don’t worry; I’ll make sure everything runs smoothly for you.” Both her smile and pat on the shoulder were meant to be comforting, but Carter didn’t need words, he needed action.
“Please. I promised Jackson we’d go for ice cream tonight, and I can’t be late.”
Absolutely nothing would keep him from leaving the office at his designated time of six o’clock in order for him to be home for Jacks. And, of course, to relieve Helen. She could only stay in his home so much. He made it known to the people he did business with that they should not expect evening phone calls or late dinners with him. When he was home, his time was solely devoted to Jacks and would be more than ever now if his brother continued to show signs of feeling unsafe and insecure.
“You won’t let him down, I promise.” There was genuine warmth in her voice, and she cocked her head. “I hear the elevator. I’ll bet that’s them.” With a quick tug at the sleeves of her blouse, Lucy hurried out of his office, heels tapping on the wooden floors.
Thus began his whirlwind day of back to back (to back) meetings and phone calls with barely a break even for the bathroom. At noon he left to meet with Dan and Carole Grabowski, the potential clients from Florida, who’d never been to New York City before and wanted to see the sights. He took them in a limo, and as they wove their way through the streets, he pointed out landmarks: the Empire State Building, Macy’s Herald Square, Madison Square Garden, and of course Times Square. In the daylight the sheer crowds and facades proved overwhelming, even for a New Yorker like himself. Carole wanted to see some of the theatres on Broadway, so Carter had the limo wind its way through the streets so she could take pictures of the famous marquees. The car turned the corner on West 52nd St., and the bar where Reed worked came into view as they drove up the block.
The limo sat idling, stuck in typical noontime traffic, and Carter took the opportunity to pitch his sale one more time.
“How about we head back to my office, and we can talk about what I can do for your business?”
The young, tanned couple from Coconut Creek looked at one another and shrugged.
“We don’t need that—you more than explained everything here today. I’m satisfied, and I know Carole is too,” said Dan. “I like your no-nonsense style, and we’re anxious to break into the New York scene. Why don’t we stop and have a drink and something to eat over here and toast the deal? I don’t need to be persuaded. We’re ready to sign.”
The zing of another success and pride in himself and his business rushed through him. The potential for this company was huge; New York City was at the beginning edge of a healthy-food revolution, and he planned for Dan and Carole’s business to appear at the perfect time to take advantage of it.
“I didn’t think you guys drank alcohol. Not healthy enough.”
Carole quirked a brow. “We most certainly enjoy our cocktails,” she said with a knowing smile. “How do you think we stay happily married?”
Carter still had an hour and a half before his next telephone call, and making nice with the clients was all part of the job. He leaned forward in his seat to tap on the divider.
“Can you pull over, please, when you get the chance?” The driver took the opportunity of a small space and maneuvered into a No Standing Zone spot. “Thanks. You don’t have to wait.”
“Are you sure, sir? You have the car for the next hour and a half, and then I’m scheduled to drive them back to the airport.”
Damn. “That’s right. Tell you what. We’ll be ready in an hour; try and grab yourself something to eat.”
“Very well, sir.” They got out of the car and stood on the sidewalk. It was a beautiful spring afternoon and the sidewalks hummed with hordes of people. Carter assumed Reed was in class and wouldn’t be working, and he was proven correct when they entered and he saw only one older man behind the bar.
