Morning all. I’m running a little behind today. But at least I am running and slowly moving towards being back on schedule. Solid ground by Friday is kind of the mantra of the week. But with the morning prompts I am back on track. So shall we see what today’s prompt brings? excellent. Timers at the ready and …write.
I like this. Not sure what is in the box or why Dan wants it so badly, but I do like the set up. I my have to break this one out and see where it goes.
Tuesday, August 9th: It was only after his signature was written on the page that the situation seemed real.
It was only after his signature was written on the page that the situation seemed real. He stared at the pages as his lawyer gathered them up. It was done. For good or ill, it was done. He set the pen down as copies were distributed. Dan glanced at his step brother. The smirk on his face was hard to contain. He kept trying as though he wanted to reflect a serious expression in the office, but it kept popping up. Dan was reminded of those weighted punching bags they had as kids. There was sand at the bottom so when you punched the brightly colored clown in his face, he tipped backwards and then popped right back up. Craig’s smirk was a bit like that.
He had nightmares about that clown.
He sometimes had nightmares about Craig too.
Words were being spoken and as the lawyer distributed the copies of the pages, Craig slid a box over to the lawyer. “This is everything?” the lawyer, Mike, his best friend from high school asked.
“Everything left,” Craig said.
Dan knew he thought he was pulling something over on Dan. It didn’t matter, not at this point. He wanted the information. Craig had the information. The price was the white elephant property that Craig purchased as an investment. So Dan bought the property and got the information along with it.
“The file states that the vehicle was packed as though she was moving,” Mike reminded Craig.
Dan heard the conversation and knew he ought to participate but felt removed as though he was hovering overhead while his body sat in the chair.
“Junk mostly from what I know. Mom and dad got rid of it and just kept this from what I can figure,” Craig said. His voice was as smirky as his face. “If there was more it is gone now. There is just what is in the box. Its worthless, but you are welcome to it.”
Craig picked up his stack of papers and stood. “It’s a pleasure doing business with you,” he said.
“Don’t call me again,” Dan said. He still felt detached, but the voice came out of him nonetheless.
“Oh now are you going to let a little thing like this ruin the family?” Craig replied.
Dan realized he was still looking at the chair Craig vacated. He looked up at Craig’s face. Something in his expression caused Craig to take a half step back involuntarily.
“Don’t call me again,” Dan repeated. “For anything. Ever. We are not family. We are not friends. We are nothing to each other.”
The words came out level and even. Craig opened his mouth but then closed it. The smirk was gone. There was a flicker of something else that crossed his face. It looked like uncertainty. It was an unusual expression for Craig. He was always certain of himself. Dan knew that Craig needed to sell the property because he needed to replace the funds he had taken from various client funds at his company before anyone found out about it. There was an investigation pending. Dan hadn’t pointed out that the files had already been copied and sent on to the corporate accountant for an internal audit before an external one was done. Any funds Craig put back now would be too late. Craig was facing uncertain times and Dan wanted to make sure this was the last time he could expect any help.
Ten til Midnight 