Thanks for your patience. I needed a break to get my ideas organized. As Louie says, you flyboys stuck with me like a bad habit. And I just want you to know I really do appreciate your feedback.
The next morning, John didn't come in with the usual breakfast tray. Instead, the alarm clock woke her at 9. She didn't remember setting it. For that matter, she didn't remember climbing into bed. She did however, recall getting drowsy in the middle of her homework. But if she was in her bed and still in her day clothes, did her uncle have to carry her up? Upon hitting the alarm, she noticed the note beside the clock.
Meet in the kitchen when you're ready.
"Oh no! He's probably angry."
Nevertheless, she brushed her teeth, combed her hair and followed the corridor. It had been months since he showed her where the dining room was, but it was easy to find since the door was open. With a deep breath, she crept in to find her uncle at the table, reading a newspaper. Two plates of bacon and eggs, two mugs, and a stack of papers decorated the table.
"Um…" she stuttered.
"Ah, good, you're awake," he set the paper aside to lean chin against his knuckles. "I thought this time we would do something different." He motioned to the empty chair.
Eliza sat down. "You mean you're not angry?"
"Over what?"
"Nothing." Eliza poked at her eggs.
"You finished your homework," he nodded the papers.
"Oh, yeah, I forget," Eliza smiled. "Thank you for helping me. It got easier."
"Good direction is one factor," Khan sipped his coffee. "A good mind is another."
Eliza sipped her mug (which turned out to be hot chocolate) to hide her blush.
"Did you know father had such a mind?" Khan asked.
"No."
"That's because he never did anything with it."
Eliza groaned. "You're not going to bad talk him again are you?"
"No, but as Khans, you both have the same potential."
Eliza kept her eyes on her food as she ate, afraid to ask where he was going with this.
"So," he continued, "I have another task for you."
Eliza dropped her fork, growing hopeful. "Feeding the plants?" She hadn't forgotten her new friends.
"We will, but I have a business meeting first."
"Oh," Eliza shrugged. "I can wait." She sipped more of her hot chocolate.
"No, you're coming to listen."
Eliza nearly choked on her drink. "Are you serious?"
"Do you have anything better to do?" No doubt he was being rhetorical because she didn't have any other choice.
Her head drooped. "Guess not."
"Good, because I truly believe it will be beneficial."
The conference room was about half as the size of the office. A curved table encircled a mechanical chair for Khan to overlook his employees. He showed Eliza to a seat in the balcony where she would go unnoticed. She observed the employees pouring in, taking account of their professional attire and confidant attitudes. If they liked coming here, maybe it wouldn't be so bad.
How wrong she was. Ten minutes later and she was already checking the clock. No matter how hard she listened, all she picked up was something about stocks and bonds, lots of numbers and 'investments' used about twenty times. An hour later and she gave up trying to understand. Instead she watched her fingers weaving in and out just to give her something to look at. Surely, they would finish by now.
But no. Another hour ticked by. Not even school had seemed this long and dry. If the employees were as bored as her, they were better at hiding it. She imagined herself flying with Kit as her eyes droops. She could almost feel the wind flying in her hair, until someone nudged her shoulder. Her eyes flickered open, and she realized she had slumped in her seat. Once her vision cleared, a stern face and folded arms stared down at her. A look she knew too well.
"I'm awake!" she shot into a sitting position. realizing how loud she spoke, she flinched and scanned the room, but it was empty. "Oh, it's over."
"Did you learn anything?" asked Khan.
"Uh," she scratched her head. "Lots of buying and selling?"
Khan sighed. "Never mind, let's just feed the jungle."
The dreary hours faded as Eliza giggled and stroked the antsy plants. Sometimes they would tug on her ponytail with her teeth when they wanted her attention, but she didn't mind. She no longer got squeamish when she fed them insects. Still, something was off, but it wasn't the jungle. Her uncle was just as quiet as last time, but somehow, he seemed different. Yesterday, he showed approval, however subtle it was. This time, it was like she wasn't there at all. Was he that upset about the meeting?
"I'm sorry I fell asleep."
"I suppose you're still too young. You might understand later."
"Why do I need to come to these meetings anyway?" Eliza held a beetle in her palm for one of the plants. "It's not like I'm going to work here." When Khan didn't answer, she jerked her head in his direction, startling the plant. Her hand closed over the beetle. "Wait, you're not thinking…"
He paused to look at her but didn't say anything. He didn't need to.
"But I'm only a kid."
"You won't be forever." Khan set his garden shears down and pulled a fly from the jar. "I'm not planning to hire you any time soon, but I don't want you throwing your future away like Silas did."
Eliza barely noticed the beetle squashing to a pulp in her fists. "Because it's better to be alone and bitter?" Khan paused to face her with his brows crossed, but he didn't say anything. This time, Eliza didn't back down. "Because Dad wanted to get out of your shadow?" As usual, Khan kept a silent, dangerous persona. Instead of scaring her, this time it infuriated her. She almost wished he yell. Any reaction would be normal. Didn't he feel anything at all? "I think I know why my parents didn't talk to you." Without waiting for a scolding, she stormed back to her room.
Khan watched his niece departing, ignoring the pulp his own fly had become.