Flash Fiction Friday prompt 154: Far From Perfect. 960 words


He had been enjoying a wonderful meal with John before they returned home to the island.

International Rescue, once a pipe dream their father had told to soothe their youngest brothers' nightmares after the death of their mother and grandfather, was on the verge of becoming a reality. Scott had been invalided out of the USAF, John had quit NASA and Virgil had organised this last hurrah for the two of them before their chosen life would bind them almost full-time to their tiny island.

Of course, this would have to be the one time one of their Father's business rivals found them. Shrouding their future in mystery meant that no one knew – could know – what they were up to, and men like Alister Granger IV viewed them like the rest of the world did, as rich wastrels.

'Scott Tracy! Well I never.'

'Mr Granger.'

The man had the audacity to pull a chair over and sit with them, crowding John out slightly, angling himself so that his back was to him. Scott could see the thunder on John's face, his brother half-rising at the insult, but he shook his head slightly. It wouldn't do to make negative press now.

'What can I do for you, Mr Granger?'

'You can accept my invitation and come and work for me rather than waste your talent, your life, on that godforsaken island your father has imprisoned you on.'

Once more John made to rise, and once more Scott shook his head and they sat down.

'You forget yourself, Mr Granger. Neither my brothers nor I have been coerced in any way by our father. We stay with him because we love and respect him.'

'Come on Scott, we both know the great and perfect Jeff Tracy doesn't deserve your respect. The man was never there for you as a child, Scott, and certainly not when your mother died.'

Scott wiped his mouth with the napkin and threw it on his half-eaten lunch. He looked to John, made a couple of discreet gestures, and then leaned back, fixing the man beside him with a stare, contemplating his words carefully. When he began speaking his voice was quiet and his words precise.

'My Father is a great man. A Great Man. He is far from perfect, as are we all, but I wouldn't change a single moment of my life with him for all the riches in the world.

'He may not have been around too much in my early years, but he had an important job. The groundwork that Jeff Tracy laid makes your business of space freighters and ships possible. Perhaps you should remember that, Mr Granger, before you open your mouth.'

Scott took a deep breath to steady his rising anger.

'I may not have had my father around as much as I would like when I was young, but he made sure of two things that still hold true. One: I never doubted for a single second that he loved me, cared for me, would do anything for me. Two: My father always has and always will inspire me to be the best person I can be in whatever I wanted to do.

'Even in his darkest hours I never once doubted my father would come back to us and I was proud and honoured that he trusted me enough to leave me looking after my brothers while he tried to get himself together when our mother died.

'And before you throw stones in glass houses, how is Granger Enterprises doing? I understand not too well.'

The man's face had been steadily getting redder and redder, and angrier and angrier. At the question about his own business, Granger stood up and jabbed a finger in the Scott's chest.

But before he had managed to jab more than once Scott had grabbed his finger and bent it back slightly. The man gasped in pain and bit his lip as Scott continued to hold his hand while he stood up and drew himself up to his full height. He towered over Granger.

'I would not come and work for a man who does not know how to look after his own family or his own workers for all the money in the world.'

Scott looked at John. His brother had been tapping away ever since Scott had asked him to. John gave a broad smile and a nod, and Scott let go.

'And now I don't have to.'

He brushed himself down while Granger glared daggers.

'What do you mean?'

'I mean, as of…'

'Fifteen seconds ago,' supplied John.

'…as of fifteen seconds ago I own the majority share in Granger Enterprises and I and my brothers are on our way to the board meeting where we will announce Granger Enterprises has the opportunity to become part of Tracy Industries if…'

He looked Granger up and down. The man was very rich and like many of his ilk didn't care one jot for his workers. Scott had met his son on many business meetings and the poor man was a what Lady Penelope had once called 'a wet blanket.' He rather liked Henry, but he couldn't even hope to give him the self-confidence the man needed. Confidence his father instilled and inspired in all his boys.

'...if you resign.'

'You – you can't do that!' Granger stuttered.

Scott put on his jacket and his brothers followed suit.

'I can and I have. Good day, Mr Granger. It's been a pleasure doing business with you. Maybe next time you will remember that Jeff Tracy may be far from perfect, but he is a great man in every way that matters.'

Scott led the way and his brothers followed and they all walked in their father's footsteps.