Chapter 18

~Interlude One~

He stood in the doorway of the office, a slight frown on his face as the man sitting behind the desk looked up from the file he was reading and smiled slightly. "Joshua, I was wondering when you'd get here."

"You were expecting me?" Josh asked as he walked into the office, enjoying the way the light played across the desk and seemingly chased away the shadows in the room.

"Shouldn't I have?" he asked as he took off his glasses and put them aside. "Take a seat and tell me what's got you so troubled."

"Who saids I'm troubled?" Josh countered as he slid into a chair.

"And you visit to share such good news?" the man pointed out with a raised eyebrow.

"There was a time when I thought I'd have some," Josh sighed as he leaned forward, his elbows on his thighs, head in his hands.

"That's what's bothering you, isn't it? That you didn't share?"

"I had planned to tell her, but work. . ."

"Work huh?"

"OK, so I was afraid. What could she possibly see in me?"

"Since when has your ego not been up to possible rejection?"

"Since it mattered so much that she didn't."

"You honestly believe she would?"

"She left."

"You didn't give her a reason to stay."

"I did. . . I. . ." he shook his head not knowing what to say.

"So what are you going to do now?"

"I wish I knew."

"You'll figure it out."

"I don't want to lose another person I love."

"You won't."

"And you can guarantee that?" Josh asked, straightening up.

"What can I say? I have an in," the man shrugged on a laugh as Josh shook his head. "Now, as much as I'd like to continue this chat, I have work to do," he added as he shifted to pick up a file while watching Josh as he reluctantly rose and started to leave. As Josh reached the doorway, he spoke again: "Oh, by the way, would it kill you to call your mother?"

"I spoke to her this morning," Josh sighed as he turned, leaning against the doorjam.

"There's a difference between 'speaking' to her and calling her, Joshua."

"Yeah, I know."

"And it wouldn't hurt you to visit once in a while either."

"Her or you?"

"Don't be a smartass. Her," he paused, then added, "Both."

"I miss you, Dad."

"I know, son, I know."

Josh only nodded as he blinked back tears and turned, walking out the door and back to the uncertainty that awaited him.