40. Forty

Chase

It’s Thursday morning, and I’m early. I want to be at the ten o’clock meeting to show Val my support. She’s worked so hard on putting this deal together.

The night before last, I started training one of the supervisors to be Hawkin’s backup. Smitty, the guy I’ve been training, appears to be catching on quickly.

I really don’t want to work another night shift ever again. I’d rather be home at night, in bed with my wife.

Damn, I can’t believe how much I’ve missed being with Val. It’s only been since Monday night, but I’ve gotten used to spending our evenings together.

It doesn’t matter if we’re sharing stories about work, watching a movie and eating popcorn, sitting out on our deck, or riding our bikes. What’s important is doing all of these things together, doing them with Val.

I pull out my phone and look down at the last text she sent me. I saved it like some love-sick teenager simply because Val sent me a red beating heart. Damn, I’ve got it bad.

I haven’t had a chance to talk to Val this entire week. She’s been working late at Carlucci’s, and I’ve been practically living in the office. That all stops today. Smitty is covering for Hawkins for the rest of the week. Once all the negotiations for the software contract are worked out, hopefully, Val will be getting off on time.

I want to tell Val about my plans to move. I’m hoping the house I looked at yesterday will help change Val’s mind about staying in the duplex.

I glance at my watch while I yawn widely. It’s almost time for everyone to arrive.

Suzanne, Carson’s admin, comes in.

“Chase, you look exhausted. I heard you’ve been working the late shift. Can I get you a cup of coffee?”

“That would be great, thank you.”

I sit down at the conference table then take a huge gulp. I want to be alert for the meeting.

Carson and his attorney come in next. I nod, as I already know Alex. He’s been our attorney for a couple of years now. He’s a relatively young man with sandy-colored hair. He’s very sharp, and Carson trusts him, so that’s good enough for me.

I look up as Val opens the door. Our eyes catch, and I give her a wide smile. She smiles back, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. I can tell something is wrong. I frown in response. She also looks pale.

“Carson, Suzanne, this is our company’s attorney. Serena White,” they all shake hands, Val turns to me last, “Serena, this is my husband, Chase Knight.”

“Nice to meet you.”

“Serena, this is Alex Bale, our attorney.”

The two shake hands, and everyone sits down. Suzanne leaves to get coffee and water for everyone.

Val sits down beside me, and I reach over and give her hand a squeeze. She gives me a cool smile in return. Maybe she’s nervous. I cover another yawn. Val looks over at me and then leans in to whisper, “Have you had any sleep?”

I shrug. “Not really, but I’m awake. I wanted to be here for you.”

I see her cool smile turn warm. “Thanks, Chase. But you look tired. If you need to leave, I’ll understand.”

“No, I want to be here. This is important to you. Even if you weren’t my wife, I’d be here for you as a friend.”

I see something flicker in her eyes, then she nods.

“Val, I’d like to talk to you later tonight once we’re alone.”

She nods solemnly. “It will give us a chance to get caught up on everything.”

Serena clears her voice and then looks around the room.

“Is everyone ready to begin the meeting?”

She gets nods all around.

“We sent over the preliminary contract on Monday. I hope you had a chance to look it over.”

Carson and Alex nod.

“Good. Perhaps we could start with any modifications you might have and go from there.”

“We are fine with the majority of the stipulations, however, in section 5 e. We’d like clarification on what would happen if we decided to sever our collaboration going forward.”

“Certainly, Carlucci Software would require written notification at least ninety days in advance.”

As the hour goes by, we leave it up to the attorneys to haggle back and forth, knowing each representative is looking out for our respective companies. I notice Val looks tired as well. She has dark circles under her eyes like she isn’t sleeping well. Maybe she just misses me being in bed with her. I know I’ve been missing her.

Maybe we could leave and just let the attorneys handle this? Damn, I know better. Carson and Val have to be present so they can answer questions, provide clarity, or approve any modifications.

At least Suzanne and the attorneys seem to be keeping up with all the changes being made.

During a brief lull, Carson states, “Let’s take a ten-minute break. We can meet back here at quarter to the hour.”

I try to catch Val’s eye, but she gets up immediately and walks to the door. I frown.

I watch as Val, Serena, and Alex leave the room. Carson and I both stand and stretch our backs.

“Chase, you look beat. When did you get off?”

“Around nine-thirty this morning, so I came straight here.”

“That’s what I thought. Is the new guy going to work out?”

“I think so. I’m looking forward to spending the night in my own bed with my wife.”

“I’m sure she’ll like that.”

“Yeah, she’s been working a lot of hours on this software release. Carson, once this contract is signed and things are running smoothly for Val at Carlucci’s, I’d like to take some time off. I want to take Val on a honeymoon.”

“I think that’s a fine idea, Chase. It shouldn’t be a problem.”

I want to mention the possibility of moving into a new house, but I don’t feel right about mentioning it to my brother when I haven’t told Val about my plans yet. What if she absolutely doesn’t want to leave the duplex? So, I stay silent.

We both look up as the rest of the group return and take a seat.

The attorneys start the negotiations again.

Finally, Alex turns to Carson and nods. “I think we’re close to being ready to sign.”

Carson looks over at Suzanne, “Do you think we could have the contract updated with the changes by one o’clock?”

“Yes, that shouldn’t be a problem.”

Carson looks around the room. “Let’s break for lunch and meet back here at one o’clock to sign the contract.”

“That sounds good.” Alex stands and leaves the room. Serena looks over at Val. “Did you want to grab lunch, Val?”

Val looks over at me. “Chase, are you going to try to get some sleep?”

“As much as I would love to join you, I think I need the shut-eye. I don’t have to be here to sign the paperwork. I just wanted to make sure it was a done deal.”

“Thank you, Chase, for being here. I appreciate it.”

I walk over to Val and give her a brief but thorough kiss. “I’ll see you tonight.”

“You don’t have to be at work?”

“No, I’ll be home when you get off work, and we can catch each other up on everything.”