Jonathan’s meeting ran longer than usual, which was expected. He did his best to keep from glancing every few seconds at his watch, but he knew his next appointment would be more lucrative. Budget meetings bored him. Not because the information wasn’t pertinent to his role. Numbers weren’t exciting. Jonathan loved excitement and adventure. Being outside was his passion. And if those outside excursions were short and included alcoholic beverages and exemplary food? Sacrificing himself to a budget meeting to return to nature and the sunshine seemed like a fair trade.

                The conference room didn’t have a clock. 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 loud enough to get Jonathan, the bank’s president, attention back to her PowerPoint presentation. “Sir? Do you understand what these figures mean for our bottom line in Q2? We risk losing thousands of dollars at the very least. Possibly a million or more. You have to make a decision. Today!” Her fist banged on the conference room table, shaking several half-full water glasses. “Sir,” she concluded, straightening herself.  

               “Yes.” Jonathan’s curt reply stung the young executive. Looking at the PowerPoint slide projected on the screen, he stood up, “I’m sorry, Estrella,” he glanced at his watch, “but I have a pressing appointment. Rest assured,” he addressed not just her but the other board members, “I will straighten out this shortcoming.” He walked past her, waving at the other board members as he passed. Sally was waiting for him outside the conference room. Shoving a portfolio filled with data for his next meeting and rushing him to the elevator, she hissed, “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,” she held a bundle of files under one arm, her iPad in the other, “you should be at right now.”  Sally, scrolling quickly, swiped some things away and texted one-handed others. “Your car is waiting downstairs 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. It doesn’t give you much time to review that,” she eyed the notebook. “But it will give you plenty of time to think about how you will sell them. The bank needs to 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.”

               “Yes, sir,” she curtly replied. “Your career, as well as mine, is on the line. I know 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. Do not be 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. He spends most of his time outside, riding his bike with Will.”

               “Who’s Will?” His puzzled expression spoke louder than his question. Sally was used to his questions. Answering professionally without crossing boundaries was a unique skill of hers. “Will is Joshua’s best friend. Will lives across the street from you and Mrs. Von Otto.”

               “His mom. She’s the amazing florist, right?”

               “Yes, sir.” She turned him toward the door, “And you, sir? Are very, very late.” Sally pushed him towards the doors. A doorman stood holding open the door. A white limousine was parked outside, and the driver stood next to the open door. “Speaking of flowers, you sent Mrs. Von Otto a beautiful arrangement this morning.”

“Thank you, Sally,” he said, climbing into the limo.