“Kate, please get me coffee.” Gavin asked of his secretary after wrapping up his nth meeting for the day.
“Yes, sir.”
“And Kate, one more thing….no visitors for at least an hour. Thanks.”
It was only 3:00 pm but he felt drained and not without reason. What with a jampacked and sleepless weekend with Fran and a late night flight home, he should’ve taken the day off. There was a soft knock on the door, followed by Kate bringing coffee. She left as quietly as she came in, closing the door behind her.
Loosening his tie, Gavin took slow sips, his mind traveling miles away. If Fran were here, they’d be at the coffeeshop downstairs. At times like this, when he felt weary or stressed, just the sight of her was like a shot of adrenaline to him. If she were here, a smile from her was enough to boost his spirits. With her, he felt he could do anything.
“But you’re not here.” He sighed and grabbed his phone. ‘I miss you already’ was the message he sent. She was probably taking her customary nap before her evening class.
Suddenly feeling restless, he eyed the pile of used bond papers on his desk. When was the last time he played basketball? It seemed ages ago. With a smirk on his face, he grabbed the almost-empty trash can under his desk and placed it near the window.
“Threeeee points!” Gavin roared in his sports commentator voice. “And the crowd goes wiiiiild !!!” He crumpled another piece of paper and raised his arms, poised for his upteenth shot, when there was a knock on the door.
“Kate, I said no visitors.” He took the shot, his eyes on the trashcan.
“So this is where all the office memos go.” It was JSL, his eyes narrowed at the mess by the window.
Gavin bolted to his feet, his ears beet red. “Ah sorry, sir…. I’ll have it cleaned up……..Uhm, have a seat, sir.”
“Yes, thank you.” JSL took the proffered seat, regarding his nephew with amusement. “How was your trip?”
“Tiring but fun.”
“And how is Fran?” JSL noted how Gavin’s face lit up at hearing her name.
“She’s doing great, actually. She’s making a good impression on her professors.”
JSL nodded, obviously pleased. “That’s great to hear…….Well, I have some news for you. I’m postponing my retirement ….say, two or three years.”
Gavin was honestly glad, feeling some of the pressure lifted from him. “That’s good news, sir.” Or so he thought.
JSL paused, then leaned forward, his face serious. “I have another piece of news for you.” Gavin creased his brows as he listened and asked, and asked some more, while his uncle talked.
It was an hour later when JSL emerged from Gavin’s office, leaving his nephew in a somber, reflective mood.
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Fran gazed with concern at Gavin’s image on her laptop screen. “Babe, you look tired. Natutulog ka pa ba? One month ka nang ganyan.”
