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“That's still going to make me miss the wedding, sir.”
He sighed audibly. “I don't know how else to appeal to you, Levon. I've offered you everything I could possibly offer. What if I gave you a bonus for going early? I could even pitch in a gift for your sister—a rather expensive one to boot.”
“That won't help the fact that I'll be absent on her big day.”
“There's nothing a nice gift couldn't possibly fix.”
I clenched my jaw. “That's not the way my family sees it, sir.”
“Listen, you can literally ask me for anything. New car? It's yours. An early vacation? Done. Just take this trip next week and I can make just about anything happen for you.”
“I'm afraid I can't do that, Mr. Herring. It's just too delicate of a matter.”
“There's nobody better than you, Levon. I just don't want anyone else on the job to screw it up. You'll come out flying with golden stars. I just know it. But you just have to take the trip early to earn it.”
“I've done plenty in the past few years for your company, sir. I'm sure you can let this slide one time and let someone else earn their keep.”
Mr. Herring sighed. “It just disappoints me, Levon. You're the best of the best.”
“How about I think it over the next couple of days and get back to you?”
“That's the spirit. But let me know sooner than a couple of days. I want to get this trip secured as soon as possible, alright?”
“Yes, sir.”
Mr. Herring laughed victoriously. “You're the best, Levon! Call me tomorrow!”
The line clicked and I dropped the phone on the floor, listening to itthudagainst the carpet. It was useless arguing with my boss. He was relentless when it came to business getting done on his time instead of on a proper schedule. Since he did things so quickly, there was a certain expectation for our company to handle things with a quickness that competed with other businesses.
It made us the best, but it certainly made us suffer more as a result.
I almost hated the fact that I had participated in creating such an atmosphere. My neglect of my relationships with every person in my life had made me the best businessman in Oklahoma. I regularly received offers from other companies who desperately wanted my skills on their team. And I didn't blame them.
But it came with such a high cost.
And one of those was missing out on events that cemented my bond with the people around me. It made me miss Clara's birthday. It forced me to choose the restlessness of travel to the comfort of home. I had missed so many birthdays and holidays that I think it might have been considered a sin.
It is sinful, I considered with frustration.I've missed everything. It's a wonder no one wants to spend any time with me. They probably think it's pointless.
I sighed as I sank back into the couch. I didn't want to get up. I didn't want to do anything since my life was basically on fire. If work pressured me too much, I would surely buckle beneath it. And I didn't want to disappoint my sister like that. She was already upset about me missing the family trip at the end of the month.
I pinched the bridge of my nose as I let out a long groan.
A knock came from the door frame of the living room. I perked up and noticed my mother standing there with a tray carrying two mugs.
“I thought you could use some tea,” she said while floating into the room. She set the tray on the coffee table. “And I thought I could use some, too.”
“Thanks, Mom,” I whispered while reaching for a mug. “I appreciate it.”
“Of course, son.”
She sat opposite me with her cup, a peaceful smile on her lips. Her eyes held worry but her face spoke of the wisdom she held. And even though she was quiet, her presence was a comfort.
And that's all I really wanted.
I sat quietly with my mother and sipped my tea without saying a word. We were content this way. It was how she always comforted me throughout the years.
I just wish she could have offered me an answer to my problems.