Although he listened to her advice, it didn’t really help ease him, but the thought mattered. Simon took a bite of his egg to appease her, “I’ll call.” He added on. Looking down at his plate, he knew he needed to finish. She’d woken up early and took the time out to make it for him. He took large bites and cleaned his place all while Jr. clung to his shirt.
Cherish watched him in silence before she stood, lifted Jasmine’s swing, and carried her to the living room. Plopping her down in front of the television beside Jr.’s, she then went into the kitchen and pulled his lunch out.
Finished, Simon felt as though he was bursting at the belt but stood to leave. He kissed Jr.’s head and placed him down in his rocker, “Be nice to mommy today.” He said. When he said the M word, she glanced over her shoulder. He kissed on both babies’ heads and looked as though he wasn’t ready to go. Going to the side door, he caught a look at himself in the mirror on the wall beside his home office.
Passing by Cherish, he went to the side door and picked up his briefcase while he turned the knob, “Good luck, I’ll be back by five.” He said.
Cherish gripped his lunchbox tightly before she swallowed and nodded. She held out the case and gave him a smile, “I made you some leftovers from last night. Have a good day, Simon. Call for anything.” She replied. As soon as he left through the door, she stepped closer and locked it.
Getting into the car, Simon sat there for a handful of seconds and shut his eyes. Before long he started up the car and shifted the vehicle in reverse.
Looking back at the large space shrouded in a dark, cool, light, Cherish then watched the headlights from the side window travel down the driveway. She watched after him for a long moment before she released a deep breath and glanced over to Jr.’s bassinet, “Mommy…”
Simon took a glance back at the house while it faded from view. Before long he pulled into his parking spot, got out of his car, and locked it from muscle memory. Pausing, he looked back at his vehicle before he went with the flow and approached the elevator that took him to his floor. He watched the numbers climb and, for a moment, was washed with a sense of normalcy.
As the elevator doors opened near her desk, Imani glanced upwards and saw a sight she hadn’t in weeks. Lighting up almost immediately, her boss had finally made his appearance. Meeting her gaze, he stopped by the desk and asked a question that was a part of their ritual every day, “Good morning, Imani. Do you have anything to give me?” he asked.
Standing, she held onto a stack of folders that she’d intended to drop off in his office, “Good morning Mr. Gabot! As a matter of fact, I do. I have a few folders on cases you handed over to Newman on your leave. He had a few hiccups that you might have to fix.” She replied.
She walked with him towards his office past others who smiled or waved at him. Imani took a few steps ahead and opened his office door. There were a few stacks of folders he had to go through and a hot cup of coffee on a coaster for him. Imani stepped into the middle of the room and read off the planner of events, “Because it’s your first day back, you have a free schedule to play catch-up. No meetings, no lunches, no clients. Newman said he will continue taking on your cases and transition you over in two weeks.” She stated gazing at Simon for a moment and tilting her head slightly, “Is there anything else you need, Mr. Gabot?”
Simon was glad to hear that she had everything under control, which was expected, and relieved that they would wean him back into the normal workflow. He should have known Imani would have his coffee already there for him and ready to start. Sitting down, he perked up and pulled a folder on top of the large stack to him. He opened it and gave a quick glance before he lifted and shook his head, “Nothing. Thank you, Imani.” He said. Bowing her head, Imani left the office and returned to her desk to begin her day as well.
Through the first half of the day, Simon had a steady flow of visitors from others on the different floors who’d heard of his story. A few people he didn’t even know, but still, they came and passed on their condolences, congratulations, and welcome back to work. By the time noon rolled around, the corner of his office had a few various arrangements of flowers and baked goods from the homemakers within the office. Between the visitors, he’d gotten through the steps of one case after another. He stumbled across one missing a crucial receipt their client needed to present for their testimony to be corroborated. He made a couple of phone calls, sipped his cold coffee, and opened the next folder as he waited for a call back. Still, that wasn’t enough to take away the separation anxiety and worries he felt about home.
As the office emptied out for lunch, Simon took a deep breath and his busy bee mentality slowed. He was going to work through lunch but found that he was unable to focus. All he
