ra

ange everything o

on how hard

ied Fabian's shoelaces for the third time. He sat patiently on the edge

y, tilting his head. "Y

and loosened the kn

s if we had just nego

test his just-tied shoes, his little ba

and curious, "if I'm late again, Mrs. Cart

gentle fingers. "You are not sitting in the thinking chair t

one tooth at the front

I replied, giving a qu

e that could undo even my worst days. He looked nothing like the life I'd i

ers. Every time I did, a strange ache settled in my chest, not p

for schoo

opping off the bed.

grabbing my bag and key

avely. "I'm bringin

rse, yo

hing pedestrians. Fabian held my hand tightly, swinging it as we walked, telling m

l gate, he h

id, wagging a finger a

softly.

g back, just like childre

my phone to tick the list

esentation prep. Call Jul

ng my list, m

- Cole En

ainst my ribs. I opened

been selected as the Executive Strategist

rough me. Executive Strategist. Billion-d

nt. I kept thinking of new and fresh possibili

d of role that shifted careers, that will place

h, a breath leaving

d do

ry time I chose work over rest, discip

m to my chest, g

the second he pic

Then a sharp inha

m n

repeated, his voice risi

ing now, joy spilling o

he said softly. "I alwa

ad never wavered,

he added quickly. "Lun

lling my chest. "Lun

now. "I've got Fabian. Whatever you

ghtened on

ied. His friendship

ad to ask," he

leaned back, stari

unded powerful. Dangerous,

nter into a meeting that mattered; my hard work had gotten me here, and I inten

nd as a more flexible work schedule, by the time I got to the busiest st

de as my heels clicked against the ma

I smiled at th

rp, how can I be of help to you?" the re

iels, and I have an a

firmation check for you." After a few seconds, she

entered the executive lobby where assistant af

members were already waiting. We exchanged handshak

e board members said, starting the c

plied evenly. "I

ean

pty seat in the meeting room. It was already 9