TO HOLD A ROSE

EPISODE VII - UNEXPECTED COSTS

It was a grey wet Tuesday morning, as Abel drove into the parking lot at AbTec. And he turned off the squeaking windshield wipers sweeping off washes of rainwater. Puddles of waters smeared on the ash-coloured interlocking stones gave a pleasing reflection of the blue skies. Abel's car steamed under the green carport as he waited for the rain to subside. Then moments later, he hopped out into the calm drizzles, and ran across the damp floors into the building.

It seemed like the perfect morning to stay in bed while catching a 90s comedy show. Wrapped within a duvet under dim lights and sipping coffee. It had rained ceaselessly before dawn and the temperature had dropped. But it was a luxury Abel couldn't afford at the time, as he had so much on his table. And neither could Joshua. He had gotten to AbTec earlier, –even with the storms and thunder cracks— as was his custom.

He sat in the lobby looking eccentric in his red suit jacket. With melting spots of raindrops splattered all over the fabric. But in contrast to his dampened cloth, he looked vibrant and filled with energy. All he could think about now was the potential offset of the project. And more importantly, the huge percentage of money that would fall into his briefcase. He saw Abel walk into the lobby and he stood up to meet him.

"Engineer," Joshua said, his face lit up with excitement. He had put the disappointments behind him and he looked forward earnestly to the next phase. And he was impressed that Abel had made up for it by calling earlier than promised. "Top of the morning to you," he stretched a handshake to Abel with a wide grin still spread on his face.

"Morning Mr Joshua," Abel said, with a strict look on his face depicting a mood for business only. His lips barely parted and his British accent thickened. "I'm glad to have you back here and I apologize for the delays we have caused. Please follow me," he gestured towards his office.

Joshua picked up his briefcase and walked behind in his little brown shoes. One could tell they were his favourite shoes, and that he cared nothing about colours. He matched anything with the shoes, and he galloped in them with great pleasure.

Inside Abel's office, the two sat across each other and the mood offered no space for jokes or relaxation. They thrashed details about the project in full extents. Abel listed at least two suppliers that he had been in contact with on resources needed for the project.

"And of the three providers, SA-SYSTEMS GMBH offer the cheapest prices for substation equipment," Abel said. He held an open document print in his hand bound with blue binding clips. And his suit jacket hung on a wooden hangar standing at a distance beside his shelf.

"That would be the German supplier right?" Joshua teased. He looked immersed in the conversation. And his toes suspended close to the floor as he buried his face in his copy of the Project plan. He anticipated the time they would talk about the project budget. It was all he waited to hear about. He knew he had to pay much attention so he would be able to back it up when he has to present it to the minister's office. He listened with throbbing knees as Abel finished with the work breakdown structure.

"So on the next page...," Abel paused. Then, "do you want anything? Coffee? Tea?" he asked Joshua. The temperature in his office had dropped over time and they lacked warmth. "Even if it's water?"

"No it's not necessary," Joshua said with the quickness of a man answering a "cash or card" question. "I could have coffee later."

Abel wanted some coffee but he had to continue regardless. There was no way he could get for himself without getting some for his desperate guest. Then he remembered Rose. It would have been magical to be with her right now. To curl up with her in loose clothing and have hot beverages on the dresser. Nothing in the world would feel better than spending this cool weather with the woman he loved. But he had to be here against all odds, he thought.