Gold Rush

Chapter 12

Once I knew you I never wanted to know anyone else.

-Leo Christopher

As I'm walking to my desk after lunch with Harry Monday afternoon I notice my dad walk by with a little more pep in his step than usual. I brush it off because even for the CEO of one of the largest investment banks in the world, he's a generally chipper guy.

My weekend sightseeing with Harry left me in a great mood too. I can't remember the last time I went to the Statue of Liberty or the top of the Empire State Building. Those are things tourists do but it was so much fun seeing Harry try to hide his amazement as he peered over the top of one of the tallest buildings in the country. On Sunday I took him to see a matinee of Moulin Rouge on Broadway which I always enjoy because it's my favorite musical although Harry did spend the whole time saying nothing tops the shows on the west end.

As I begin organizing the papers on my desk my dad walks by again, this time humming and nodding his head along.

"Someone's happy today," I say and he turns to me with a giant smile.

"Well the one that should be happy is your little friend Harry," he says still grinning.

"Why's that?" I question.

"Because!" he practically shouts, "a deal with his major client went through this morning!"

Oh. That's strange that Harry didn't mention that at lunch today but maybe he's just being humble. Although if anything Harry seemed more stressed than ever.

"That's great news, Dad," I say, "maybe he will actually go home at a decent hour tonight."

"He should!" my dad says, "I don't see why he needs to be here past six at least for the next week. Me on the other hand, always got something else to deal with."

He heads back into his office and shuts the door and I can't help but think about why Harry wouldn't say anything about the fact that his past few weeks of basically pulling all-nighters has come to an end, at least for now. Or why he was still so high-strung today. Maybe that's his default setting? Or maybe he's stressed about something entirely different. Either way, I decide that he should take a break and celebrate, and knowing him I'm going to have to force him to do such a thing.

At exactly six o'clock I shut off my computer and head to Harry's floor. As I approach his desk I see that, of course, his head is buried in his computer with his eyes entranced on the screen.

"Good evening Mr. Styles," I say.

He looks up at me for just a moment before looking back down at his screen saying, "What are you doing here so early and," he looks down at my hands, "empty-handed."

"I was thinking we could actually go out for dinner tonight instead of eating here like recluses," I say.

"And why's that," he asks apathetically while typing something.

"Because," I say while maintaining my positive attitude despite his indifference towards me, "you deserve a break now that your deal went through. Plus we should celebrate that your deal went through!"

He doesn't take his eyes off the screen as he says, "Did your father tell you that? Doesn't Hipa have rules about confidentiality?"

"That's for doctors," I say, "and c'mon Harry why wouldn't you even mention it today at lunch?"

He finally looks me in the eyes and leans back in his chair saying, "Because, it's not a big deal its just my job. We don't need to celebrate me doing my job."