Responsibility

Sully fumbled for the keys in his front pocket. His breath puffed out in small, white clouds in the cold, December night. Supporting himself against the doorframe, he managed to insert the key into the lock and make the correct maneuver. He shook his head to clear it. The whiskey had a stronger effect than he anticipated.

"How long have you been in Montreal?" the woman to his right asked. Her name was Sugar, if he remembered correctly. She was dressed in black, fishnet stockings and a white fur coat.

"Not long enough," another woman answered from his left. Caramel, named for the color of her perfect skin. "This one still has a nice tan."

"About a week," Sully answered. "Flew in last Monday."

"On a private plane?" Sugar asked.

Sully nodded, preoccupied with the keys.

Caramel placed her arm around his shoulders. "What's the flight plan for tonight, handsome?"

Sully grinned. He unlocked the second lock and opened the door. "Ladies, welcome my humble abode. Temporarily, that is."

Sugar and Caramel strode into the foyer of the mansion. Both women shrugged off their winter coats, revealing skin-tight dresses underneath.

"Nice place," said Sugar. She leaned into Sully as she examined the overhead chandelier. "Where's the bedroom?"

Caramel appeared at his other side. "How about a hot bath first? This place must have a Jacuzzi that fits three."

"I think we can arrange that," Sully said as he escorted them down the hall.

As they reached the end of the hallway, the front door opened and shut forcefully, letting in a stream of the icy winter air.

"Who is that?" One of the girls asked.

Sully squinted at the approaching figure. He blinked to clear his vision.

"Where were you?" Nate's voice carried loudly down the hall.

"What do you mean?" Sully asked.

"Where have you been? Your meeting was this afternoon. What happened?"

Sully looked down at his watch. It was one in the morning.

"The deal went well, I ran into some ladies at the bar, and…we're celebrating."

Sully looked back at the grand staircase, where Sugar and Caramel stood at seductive angles to the support beams.

Nate followed his gaze toward the two women. His face was red from the beating wind outside. It was apparent he had been in the harsh conditions for hours.

"You can't just do that," he said through clenched jaws.

"Do what?" Sully asked.

"Say you're going to be back and not show up."

"Nate," Sully began, but the younger man was already walking away, his expression a mixture of anger and disgust.

"Now hold on a minute."

Nate continued to walk past the two women. Sully watched as he made his way up the staircase.

"Cute kid," said Sugar. "Is he old enough to have some sweets?"

Sully frowned at her words. He stood for a moment of indecision before pulling out his wallet. "Look ladies, I'm sorry, but we're gonna have to do this another time."

"Excuse me?" Caramel asked. "We bailed on our regulars to come to your private party."

Sully pulled out a couple of bills and split them between the two women. "I think that should cover it for your trouble."

The women exchanged looks before pocketing the money.

"I'll walk you to the door," Sully said as he ushered them towards the entrance.

Sugar reclaimed her coat. "Call us if you get lonely," she said, and blew a kiss before stepping outside.

Sully stared longingly behind them before closing the door. He shook his head and looked up at the ceiling. "This is for something I did a long time ago, isn't it?"

He followed Nate's path to his quarters upstairs. As expected, the door was shut.

"Nate?" Sully tried. There was no answer.

"I sent them home."

Sully sighed. "Look kid, I'm sorry for not checking in. I know you were worried. I'll try to remember next time."

There was still no sound from the other side.

"Okay, I won't try. I'll do it next time."

Another minute passed. Sully leaned against the wooden frame.

"So you're giving me the silent treatment? C'mon kid, open the door."

Silence greeted him again. He entertained the thought of searching around for a couple of paperclips to unlock the door, but realized it would take Nate even less time to slip out the window. If the kid didn't want to see him, there was little he could do to force the issue.

"Well I'm glad we talked." Sully stared at the door for another minute. Finally, he turned and admitted defeat.

"I'll see you in the morning," he said, before heading back down the stairs.