Page 71 of Finding Parker

PARKER. Sitting in the same seat I sat in waiting for our first meeting, I sat waited to see Hec. I smiled at the thought of one of Kenton’s first questions to me. I waited almost a week to come to the office, but considering all things and the recent changes in my life, I felt it was the soonest I could break away.

“Are you a risk taker, Mr. Bale?”

I wouldn’t consider myself a risk taker, but on that particular day I became one. I took a risk, and the reward will remain with me for a lifetime. Kenton may be gone from this earth, but his memories will fill my heart and my mind for all of eternity. Or, in the words of Kenton Ward, until the bitter end. The sound of shoes began to echo throughout the hallway. I looked up and to my left as the sound became sharper.

Lisa.

I stood and smiled.

“Mr. Bale,” she extended her hand.

I lightly accepted her hand, “Lisa. Pleasure to see you again.”

“I’m so sorry for your loss, Mr. Bale. I truly am,” she whispered.

“Thank you. He will be missed for sure,” I responded as I released her hand.

“Mr. Astur is waiting. Follow me?” she asked as she turned away.

“Certainly,’ I responed.

As we walked past the door of the conference room, I peered in. The table where we first met sat empty. I paused, staring at the table, and smiled. For a fleeting moment, I stood and stared. As I heard Lisa’s footsteps continue, the sound of Kenton’s voice filled my mind.

“Drinking water from a bottle is akin to eating beans from a can, cereal from a box, peanut butter from a jar, or drinking wine from a bottle. A beverage is contained in a bottle for shipping and storage. It should remain in the bottle until it is poured into a glass, at which time it could be enjoyed. Do you drink your wine from a bottle, Mr. Bale?”

I stared into the room and mouthed the words.

“No sir.”

“Mr. Bale?” Lisa’s voice brought me out of the trancelike state I was in.

I turned to face her. At the end of the hall, she stood in front of a large wooden door.

“You’ll be meeting in this room. Mr. Astur’s office,” she smiled.

Slowly, I walked to her side and stopped. As she opened the door, Mr. Astur stood from behind his desk and smiled, “Parker. Please, come in.”

“Lisa, close the door behind you if you will,” he said as he motioned toward the door.

“Nice seeing you, Mr. Bale,” Lisa nodded.

“Likewise,” I responded as I walked into the office.

“I’ll make this brief, Parker. Well, as brief as possible. Would you like a drink?” he asked as he walked around the corner of his desk.

“Yes. Water,” I paused and smiled, “In a glass please.”

Hec smiled and shook my hand, “Please sit down, Parker.”

I sat in a chair positioned in front of Hec’s desk. The office was very large and obviously in the corner of the building. Both walls were constructed of glass, and looked out over the city of San Diego. A large desk sat at one side of the office, and behind it wooden cabinetry – which I assumed contained legal documents or books. On the other side of the room, a massive library of books, and a glass display case filled with various treasures.

As he walked past, he handed me a glass of water and a coaster. I took a sip of the water and placed the glass on the table beside me and crossed my legs. As Hec walked back to behind his desk, I smiled and waited patiently to see why this meeting was called. He crossed his legs as he sat and placed his elbows on the desk. His face somewhat sullen, he lowered his chin into his hand, and looked down at the desk.

“I have no way of knowing, so I must ask, Parker,” he looked up from the desk and hesitated.

“Did Kenton explain to you the reasoning behind his seeking to employ you?”

I nodded my head slowly, “Yes sir.”