To New Beginnings. Sequel -(On Hold)

Chapter 1

The beginning...

NATHAN

"Flights Now boarding for New York. Please make your way to gate 11." A woman spoke with elegance and professionalism. I was so wrapped up in the numbers on my cell-phone, that it took me several seconds to realize that it was my flight boarding.

I approached the gate quickly with my duffle bag slung firmly around my shoulder and my eyes direct towards the boarding desk, where a petite, blonde attendant stood gracefully with the brightest, practically trained smile I've ever seen.

"Last call for first class boarding." She spoke shakily to the line that waited impatiently to board. I can see on most of their faces, that they were ready to get on the plane and just collapse in their seats after such a long wait and she was under stress. Must've been a long day for her...

I approached the line filled with an array of passengers. Some with the obvious foreign appeal... others with confidence, familiarity and suddenly it occured to me, how I'd manage to place most of everyone into these silly brackets and I still couldn't even figure out my own? I was always so deep in thought about one thing and once it began to unravel like tangled rope, something else would occupy my brain. A dirty habit I had picked up when I use to sit through hours of boring business meetings and conferences with my father.

He spoke the most, all the while, I was always busy looking off somewhere to kill the time; one minute my eyes would glance over at the clock, next the blurry faces that sat in chairs around me, the walls... etcetera... etcetera... a vicious cycle-

"Sir?" There I was again. "Boarding is right this way." 'I'm trying not to combust', boarding attendant spoke with a delicate smile on her face, but her eyes gave me the third degree.

I could only imagine my face was flushed and she was nervous, but I didn't want to speak. I simpy followed the incredibly awkward line to the plane.

☆☆☆

"Fellow Passengers...May I have your attention please. Thank you for choosing to fly with Delta Airlines... We will now ask that you fasten your seat belts and remain seated for your own safety, as we well begin take off. We will now be leaving Milauwake..."

I was staring intently out the window, wondering about my father and how he was handling his health by himself. Sure when at work, he could put on his strongest character, trimmed and wrapped in Bespoke... but at home, it was a different case. The veneer doors were shut tight and Wynton Marsalis' trumpets blared from the other side to mask the cries and constant glass being thrown about. He wouldn't dare show me that side. The stress of holding his company together, in addition to grieving. He wouldn't tolerate weakness from himself and from me... and I obliged.

I never got a chance to think about what happened, nonetheless let it sink it. It was always, 'Go travel son, network and relationship is key'. Or, 'No excuses Nathan. You must be at your best before you ever have a moment of vulnerability. Get to that conference immediately...no protest'!

Now, he simply refuses to go anywhere unless it was local and I did all the heavyload, which pretty much consisted of every international affair that came up and that was eighty-five percent of our business. My father took charge of what ever he could from home.

I was the sweeper... the one to pick up the pieces whenever he was at the peak of giving up but only came around to save face.

He wasn't handling the loss of her very well and I hadn't even gotten a chance to...

Deep Breaths!