Lightning

"A few checkmarks, some official signatures, another name added to a list of people gone…all that's left to prove he ever existed in this world." – Unknown

August 19th 2004– Denial

By this point in my life, I was pretty sure I was just living in a fantasy. Something my mind had created just to get me through the day. It was all a sick joke and everyone else was playing along to get me to snap. I was positive that this was all just a dream created from some convoluted fantasy about what would happen without my parents.

Six weeks into this and I realized I was not well. I was far from being the same person I had always been. And there was nothing I could do to stop this new and interesting change. I couldn't very well admit I had a problem; I was on my own now. I had to face up to it on my own terms.

That was the problem.

Gordo paused only for a moment to study his sordid reflection in the glass windowpane outside of Hartman Enterprises. He was on his way to an interview, his blue eyes unusually brighter than they had been the last few weeks. Hartman had heard from one of Gordo's teachers that he was incredibly skilled in his craft, he had inquired about samples, to which the instructor gladly sent. Hartman was blown away by the quality of work done by a mere eighteen year old.

Hartman had called immediately to speak with David, inquiring about the possibility of working out an internship with the company, to which Gordo enthusiastically accepted, without much thought or delay.

He gingerly took a sip of the tepid coffee, and pushing his hat back onto his head. The blue eyed boy stared for an eternity at the man in the reflection, unsure of whom this new creature was. He was brave and bold, but the last few days had rendered Gordo defenseless and shy. This new character was stronger than him, and his smile was sincere…but Gordo's own smile seemed to be lacking any sincerity. Who was this new person?

Gordo blinked a few times and looked down at his watch to see what time it was, shaking his head. Twenty minutes early. He pushed his sunglasses back on and walked into the large building, reading the list of names across the walls; different companies that had worked with this supposed company. He smiled a little at the few he recognized, and then pushed through the double glass doors into the foyer full of delicate flowers and vases.

There, at the end of the hall, sat the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen in his life. Her finger was tangled in the cord of the phone as she spoke to whomever was on the other end, her green eyes staring skyward, to share her disgust with the world. Her long brunette hair was pulled back into a messy ponytail. She stopped to stare at Gordo, hanging up the phone without as much as a goodbye. "Can I help you?"

Gordo swallowed hard and nodded. "My name is David Gordon; I'm here for an interview?"

The girl stood to reveal her slim figure; clearly she was venomous about keeping her image. She waved a perfectly manicured hand at him and nodded. "Follow me, Mr. Gordon."

Gordo blinked several times, blue eyes showing just a small hint of tears. "Mr. Gordon is my dad. Just call me David."

She paused in a doorway and stared back at him. "Sure, whatever." Shaking her head, the girl climbed several sets of steps that Gordo couldn't quite understand considering she was in stilettos. She came to another smaller hallway with pictures adorning the wall; mostly black and white in an Ansell Adams type style. The very last frame was an image of a girl, much younger, who looked suspiciously like the girl in front of him. She tapped three times on the door and stood back.

The elderly man opened the door, smiling graciously at the young woman. "Thank you, Maria."

Maria bowed slightly and turned to leave, closing the doors at the end of the hall. The elderly man smiled to Gordo and inquired that he follows. "Mr. Gordon, you've been in the film arts for several years now, have you not?"

Gordo nodded, sitting in a chair across from the man's desk. He read the placard on the front that had Hartman scrawled in neat scribe. "Since I was old enough to hold a camera."

"I've felt very enlightened reviewing your work, Mr. Conway recommends you with high honors. He says you were the best film student he had in years." The man tapped a pen on the desk. "I'd have to say he wasn't misinformed."

Gordo sat a little straighter and smiled a little, his confidence growing. "Is that why you called me here? To praise my work?"

"Not at all," The man smiled. "As I'm sure you know, every year or so, we choose some deserving students and allow them to intern here. If they're good at what they do and we like what we see, we hire them full time. Is that something you would be interested in?"

"Of course!"Gordo shouted, standing to his feet. "I would love that!"

He produced some papers from inside his desk and laid them flat on the mahogany finish. "Well, read this over carefully and sign the bottom portion." As Gordo read the paper, he looked at the boy with a small frown, trepidation finally becoming clear. "I'm terribly sorry to hear about your parents."

"My parents are fine, they'll understand," Gordo murmured, never taking his eyes off the page as he spoke. "Mom would be overjoyed. She was so excited to see me get accepted into film school. Academy of the arts, it's quite amazing."

The elderly man raised a brow and slid the papers back towards him after Gordo signed them. "Indeed. Your parents must be so proud of you."

"The photograph in the hallway, closest to your door…is that the woman at the reception counter?" Gordo ventured, hoping he didn't bring up bad memories.

"No, that was my beloved daughter Sonia. She died in a fire in 1998; the girl at the desk is Sonia's best friend, Maria." The man answered. He brushed the question off as if it was nothing and smiled to Gordo again, offering his hand. "Glad to have you aboard, Mr. Gordon."

"Mr. Gordon is so formal for someone my age…please, don't call me that."

"What would you prefer?" Hartman asked.

Gordo paused and thought hard about it, his blue eyes staring skyward. He smiled and looked at the man with a tiny smirk. "Asher would be just fine."

"Asher?"

"It's time for a new beginning," Gordo answered, turning to walk away. "It's time I let Asher shine."

Asher ruined my life, but I didn't know it then. He was the worst thing that ever happened to me, and by the time I realized what I had put into motion, it was far too late to stop it myself.

AN: I'm using my brother's laptop. Mine crashed. There's some stuff going on. Life got in the way. Updates won't be happening for a while. Let's just say I'm very close to offing myself right now, and leave it at that. You guys don't need details, I'm sure…

I also updated "Don't Call Me Daddy" a week or so ago, but no one has reviewed the recent chapter. I presume no one's read it, so until I can get back into writing, let that whet your whistle. I know I promised to re-write Star of David, but I won't be able to do it as planned right now. I'm sorry about that...I'll get it done ASAP; I'll post a note when I get to it.