Jonathan’s meeting ran a little longer than usual, which was expected. He did his best to keep himself from glancing periodically at his watch, but he knew that his next appointment would be more lucrative than this one. Budget meetings bored him. Not because the information wasn’t pertinent to his role but because the numbers weren’t exciting. Jonathan loved excitement and adventure. Being outside was his passion. And if those periods were short and included alcoholic beverages and exemplary food? He was more than willing to sacrifice to be outside in the sunshine.

                 The conference room intentionally didn’t have a clock, which, in most cases, was a good thing. But today, Jonathan’s mind wasn’t in the bank’s budget meeting, nor was he paying attention to their Chief Operating Officer, Jennifer Estrella. “Ahem!” She cleared her throat loudly enough to get the bank President’s attention, who was looking anywhere but at her PowerPoint presentation. “Sir? Do you understand what these figures mean for our bottom line in Q2? If you don’t decide, we risk losing thousands of dollars at the very least. Possibly a million or more.”

                “Yes,” Jonathan replied curtly, looking at the slide projected on the screen. He stood up, straightening his suit and tie. “I’m sorry, Estrella,” he glanced at his watch, “but I have a pressing appointment I am late for that I’m positive will straighten out this shortcoming.” He walked past her, waving at the other board members as he passed. Once outside the conference room, Sally was waiting to hand him a portfolio filled with data for his next meeting. “Mr. Von Otto. You are very, very late, sir.”

                “I know that, Sally.” He held up the portfolio and asked, “What’s this?”

                “That is all the data you requested for the meeting you should be in now.”  Her iPad was open, Sally scrolling quickly, swiping some things, and one-handed texting others. “Your car is downstairs waiting for you. You have,” she read a map from the screen with directions and the length of time it would take to get him there, “twenty minutes in the car, which doesn’t give you much time to review that,” she pointed at the notebook. “But it will give you plenty of time to think about how you will sell them on letting the bank invest in their technology.”

                “I did that during the budget meeting,” he said absently. “Sally, this is the biggest deal the bank has ever made. I cannot afford to be wrong about this. It would destroy my career.”

                “Yes, sir,” she curtly replied. “As well as mine. So you can be sure I have it right.” The pair stepped into the elevator, and as the doors slid closed, she said, “You will close this deal, sir.”

                The doors opened, and they both exited, Sally behind her boss. “Tonight is Joshua’s birthday, so make sure you aren’t late getting home.”

                “What did you get him for me?”

                “He asked you for a new video game console with all the extras. It should keep him occupied for the remainder of the summer.”

                “Sally,” he stopped, facing her. “I don’t want him inside for the rest of summer. I want him outside.”

                “Sir? That’s not what he wants, but he spends much of his time riding his bike with Will.”

                “Who’s Will?” His puzzled expression spoke louder than his question. Sally was used to his questions, getting used to answering professionally without crossing boundaries. “Will is Joshua’s best friend, who lives across the street from you and Mrs. Von Otto.”

                “His mom is the amazing florist, right?”

                “Yes, sir.” She turned him toward the door, “And you, sir, are very, very late.” Sally pushed him to the doors, where a doorman held it open for him. A white limousine was outside, the driver standing next to the open door. “Speaking of flowers, you sent Mrs. Von Otto a beautiful arrangement this morning. It will be waiting for her when she gets home, which I believe will be around 2:30 this afternoon.”

                He climbed into the limo, and the driver shut the door. (To Be Continued. . .)