Post by lambertoise on Jun 17, 2003 13:10:14 GMT -5
Title: Father and son
Author: Lambertoise
Context: This fiction starts a few weeks after ALL the rage. It came to me while I was listening to Cat Stevens's beautiful song, Father and son.
My gratitude to Sarah, once again.
***********************************
Father & Son (by Cat Stevens)
It's not time to make a change
Just relax, take it easy
You're still young, that's your fault
There's so much you have to know
Find a girl, settle down
If you want you can marry
Look at me, I am old but I'm happy
I was once like you are now
And I know that it's not easy
To be calm when you've found something going on
But take your time, think a lot
Think of everything you've got
For you will still be here tomorrow
But your dreams may not.
Burton hung up the phone. He is sitting at his desk, with a broad smile on his face. He looks outside, gets up and paces his office. He is happy and he would like to share that moment with somebody.
A self-made man, as he likes to describe himself, has just been paid compliments by the mayor.
“Burton,” the mayor, Tom Murphy, had said just a few seconds earlier, “the city would like to nominate you Honour Citizen of the year! You have handled the city’s legal shenanigans extremely well and you are an example for all the young ones here. Do you accept the honour? ”<br>
“Well, sure, Tom, it would be an honour,” Burton replied proudly.
Never mind the past, never mind the ugly fight in the parking a few weeks ago! Burton was really happy with his achievements: he, the boy from Nowhere city, was now a Pittsburgh Honour Citizen!
He goes to Nick’s office.
“Nick! What are you doing tonight?” he asks in a joyful tone.
“What is it?” questioned Nick, intrigued by Burton’s obvious pleasant mood.
“I would like you to come and celebrate with me.”<br>
“Celebrate?” Nick was wondering what could bring such pleasure to his father after this awful fight they never talked about.
“Yeah, I’ve been nominated Honour Citizen by the mayor!”
“Congratulations!” Nick was sincerely happy for his father, but surprised that he seemed to have no qualms about it.
“Is this a yes for tonight?” insists Burton.
Nick can’t say no. Since he has nothing to go back to, he agrees.
“Great, I’ll make reservations at Le Perroquet and I’ll pick you up at 8,” Burton replies, leaving Nick’s office.
Both arrive together at one of the fanciest restaurants in the city. Walking with the maitre d’ to their places, they are suddenly stopped by surprised exclamations.
“Burton! Nick! What a nice surprise!”<br>
Both men turn their heads to see Liz sitting with … Sarah Smalley, Burton’s ex-flame.
“Good evening, beautiful ladies,” Burton says, charming as ever. “I didn’t know you two were … acquainted,” he adds, reddening slightly.
“Actually, it is the first time we meet. I didn’t know you knew each other,” Liz replies, now aware that Burton and Sarah have met before. “We were discussing a fund raiser but we just finished talking business. Would you like to sit with us?” she asks, after checking quickly with a glance to Sarah who nods.
Nick reluctantly sits with his father at their table. While Burton explains the reason that brought them there tonight, Sarah examines Nick, the son that Burton had so much talked about.
“You must be proud of your father, aren’t you?” she asks Nick.
“Yes, I’m happy for him,” Nick agrees, while thinking: What am I doing here? It always seems a bit incomprehensible to him that his father, sometimes a cold son of a bitch, could be so warm, especially in company of women. Being his father’s son, small talk should be easier, but it never was for him …“Jake is right, my social skills suck!” he says to himself.
Sitting in front of Nick, Burton is glad to share the moment with his son and these two women that he appreciates a lot … for different reasons! The food is excellent and the conversation becomes easy after an awkward beginning. Burton is funny, brings up old anecdotes in which sometimes he is the hero, sometimes the fool, but his happiness is contagious.
After dinner, the four of them walk to their cars. Liz leaves first, waving at them.Burton turns to Sarah and asks her how she is.
“I’m pretty good, actually. And what about you? ”<br>
“Oh, everything is fine”. He stops and adds: “Would you like to have dinner with me sometime?”<br>
“Yes,” she answers warmly, “I’d really like that.”<br>
As simple as that. Burton and Sarah get back to their romance, after more than one year hiatus, as if their last meeting had been the week before. They were able to pick up where they left off. Burton is happy and wishes his son, a young, intelligent, bright man, could do the same thing.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
How can I try to explain
When I do he turns away again
And it's always been the same, same old story
From the moment I could talk
I was ordered to listen
Now there's a way and I know
That I have to go away
I know I have to go
Soon, Nick realizes that his father is slowly having less and less time for him and the firm as he gives more time to Sarah. Burton is becoming happier while Nick’s life is worsening as he spends all of his time at the office, having nothing and no one to go home to. If he’d took time to think about it, Nick would have seen that he was a bit jealous of his father getting a “second chance” of sorts at happiness.
“Dad!”
Burton stops to see his son signalling to him to come in his office.
“Where have you been?” pursues Nick, looking a bit impatient.
“Oh, we went for a leisurely weekend, Sarah and I, and we just got back this morning. Why do you look so upset?”<br>
“I am upset because your client was here this morning and was not too happy to discuss business with me instead of you,” replies Nick.
“Oh, I’ve forgotten. But I’m sure you did all right, son,” Burton replies, looking unfazed by his omission.
“Dad, could you please put your head back in the business?” Nick asks before returning to his papers.
Burton, a bit vexed by Nick’s harsh words goes back to his office where Gretchen is waiting for him.
“Good morning, Mr. Fallin. Did you have a nice weekend? ”<br>
“Yes, thank you for asking. It was great, really. Sarah’s son, David, came to join us and the meeting went well. David is a nice young man and Sarah is right to be proud of him,” Burton answers, his good mood coming back.
Just as he is saying this, Nick comes in and hears his father’s praise. “Are you gonna be his foster father too?” he says to himself, putting some files on Burton’s desk. “This is the agreement your client signed this morning.” Without looking at him, Nick walks out before his father can answer.
Nick is hurt. His father seems to be looking desperately for a new family. First, Shannon, and then this David. Nick knows he disappointed his father many times, but he tries hard and he hasn’t touched any drug for more than two years, now. And even that doesn’t satisfy his father. I will never be able to please him, he thinks grimly. He would be better off without me.
Back at his desk, Nick remembers that year, before his father left his mother, when he thought he was happy. He went fishing with his dad, a whole weekend, and his mother waiting for them at the little cabin they rented up north, on a lake so calm, so beautiful, it was like heaven. At night, they had eaten the fish Nick caught by himself. Both his parents were laughing and congratulating him for his feat. Nowadays, whatever he does, his father never seems to appreciate it.
And now, there is this lawsuit against the city. A whole project was on the verge to be cancelled because there were some alleged irregularities in the process. Contracts, some people said, were given to friends, despite strict rules. Now, some contractors wanted the city to acknowledge its wrong doing and give them their part of the cake or the allegations would be made public, with names and reputations on the hold.
Another mess his father had overlooked. Nick knew better than to get his hopes up, than to think that if he saved the firm yet again – that his father might notice. His father thought this would go away because the accusations were, in his opinion, groundless. But Nick thought they should act aggressively before “shit hits the fan,” as he told his father. Once again, Burton decided not to listen. Nick knew better, he had to trust his instincts this time, even if it meant going against his father.
Today, Nick is in charge of the partners meeting. He told his father earlier this morning that he would bring up the matter to be discussed. The tension between them is palpable.
“OK. Let’s start. Concerning the lawsuit, who thinks we should make an offer and ask the city to settle?” Nick asks, glancing at his father who is sitting on his side in silence.
Burton is the only one who doesn’t raise his hand. “All right. Meeting’s closed!” concludes Nick, before his father had a chance to argue.
“Son, you’re making a mistake,” says Burton, before Nick walks out of the conference room. Nick turns around and looks at his father in the eyes: “All my life, I’ve listened to that speech – maturity, responsibility, wisdom. Look at you. Does it disappear with old age?” And Nick left the room leaving his father completely at loss.
Author: Lambertoise
Context: This fiction starts a few weeks after ALL the rage. It came to me while I was listening to Cat Stevens's beautiful song, Father and son.
My gratitude to Sarah, once again.
***********************************
Father & Son (by Cat Stevens)
It's not time to make a change
Just relax, take it easy
You're still young, that's your fault
There's so much you have to know
Find a girl, settle down
If you want you can marry
Look at me, I am old but I'm happy
I was once like you are now
And I know that it's not easy
To be calm when you've found something going on
But take your time, think a lot
Think of everything you've got
For you will still be here tomorrow
But your dreams may not.
Burton hung up the phone. He is sitting at his desk, with a broad smile on his face. He looks outside, gets up and paces his office. He is happy and he would like to share that moment with somebody.
A self-made man, as he likes to describe himself, has just been paid compliments by the mayor.
“Burton,” the mayor, Tom Murphy, had said just a few seconds earlier, “the city would like to nominate you Honour Citizen of the year! You have handled the city’s legal shenanigans extremely well and you are an example for all the young ones here. Do you accept the honour? ”<br>
“Well, sure, Tom, it would be an honour,” Burton replied proudly.
Never mind the past, never mind the ugly fight in the parking a few weeks ago! Burton was really happy with his achievements: he, the boy from Nowhere city, was now a Pittsburgh Honour Citizen!
He goes to Nick’s office.
“Nick! What are you doing tonight?” he asks in a joyful tone.
“What is it?” questioned Nick, intrigued by Burton’s obvious pleasant mood.
“I would like you to come and celebrate with me.”<br>
“Celebrate?” Nick was wondering what could bring such pleasure to his father after this awful fight they never talked about.
“Yeah, I’ve been nominated Honour Citizen by the mayor!”
“Congratulations!” Nick was sincerely happy for his father, but surprised that he seemed to have no qualms about it.
“Is this a yes for tonight?” insists Burton.
Nick can’t say no. Since he has nothing to go back to, he agrees.
“Great, I’ll make reservations at Le Perroquet and I’ll pick you up at 8,” Burton replies, leaving Nick’s office.
Both arrive together at one of the fanciest restaurants in the city. Walking with the maitre d’ to their places, they are suddenly stopped by surprised exclamations.
“Burton! Nick! What a nice surprise!”<br>
Both men turn their heads to see Liz sitting with … Sarah Smalley, Burton’s ex-flame.
“Good evening, beautiful ladies,” Burton says, charming as ever. “I didn’t know you two were … acquainted,” he adds, reddening slightly.
“Actually, it is the first time we meet. I didn’t know you knew each other,” Liz replies, now aware that Burton and Sarah have met before. “We were discussing a fund raiser but we just finished talking business. Would you like to sit with us?” she asks, after checking quickly with a glance to Sarah who nods.
Nick reluctantly sits with his father at their table. While Burton explains the reason that brought them there tonight, Sarah examines Nick, the son that Burton had so much talked about.
“You must be proud of your father, aren’t you?” she asks Nick.
“Yes, I’m happy for him,” Nick agrees, while thinking: What am I doing here? It always seems a bit incomprehensible to him that his father, sometimes a cold son of a bitch, could be so warm, especially in company of women. Being his father’s son, small talk should be easier, but it never was for him …“Jake is right, my social skills suck!” he says to himself.
Sitting in front of Nick, Burton is glad to share the moment with his son and these two women that he appreciates a lot … for different reasons! The food is excellent and the conversation becomes easy after an awkward beginning. Burton is funny, brings up old anecdotes in which sometimes he is the hero, sometimes the fool, but his happiness is contagious.
After dinner, the four of them walk to their cars. Liz leaves first, waving at them.Burton turns to Sarah and asks her how she is.
“I’m pretty good, actually. And what about you? ”<br>
“Oh, everything is fine”. He stops and adds: “Would you like to have dinner with me sometime?”<br>
“Yes,” she answers warmly, “I’d really like that.”<br>
As simple as that. Burton and Sarah get back to their romance, after more than one year hiatus, as if their last meeting had been the week before. They were able to pick up where they left off. Burton is happy and wishes his son, a young, intelligent, bright man, could do the same thing.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
How can I try to explain
When I do he turns away again
And it's always been the same, same old story
From the moment I could talk
I was ordered to listen
Now there's a way and I know
That I have to go away
I know I have to go
Soon, Nick realizes that his father is slowly having less and less time for him and the firm as he gives more time to Sarah. Burton is becoming happier while Nick’s life is worsening as he spends all of his time at the office, having nothing and no one to go home to. If he’d took time to think about it, Nick would have seen that he was a bit jealous of his father getting a “second chance” of sorts at happiness.
“Dad!”
Burton stops to see his son signalling to him to come in his office.
“Where have you been?” pursues Nick, looking a bit impatient.
“Oh, we went for a leisurely weekend, Sarah and I, and we just got back this morning. Why do you look so upset?”<br>
“I am upset because your client was here this morning and was not too happy to discuss business with me instead of you,” replies Nick.
“Oh, I’ve forgotten. But I’m sure you did all right, son,” Burton replies, looking unfazed by his omission.
“Dad, could you please put your head back in the business?” Nick asks before returning to his papers.
Burton, a bit vexed by Nick’s harsh words goes back to his office where Gretchen is waiting for him.
“Good morning, Mr. Fallin. Did you have a nice weekend? ”<br>
“Yes, thank you for asking. It was great, really. Sarah’s son, David, came to join us and the meeting went well. David is a nice young man and Sarah is right to be proud of him,” Burton answers, his good mood coming back.
Just as he is saying this, Nick comes in and hears his father’s praise. “Are you gonna be his foster father too?” he says to himself, putting some files on Burton’s desk. “This is the agreement your client signed this morning.” Without looking at him, Nick walks out before his father can answer.
Nick is hurt. His father seems to be looking desperately for a new family. First, Shannon, and then this David. Nick knows he disappointed his father many times, but he tries hard and he hasn’t touched any drug for more than two years, now. And even that doesn’t satisfy his father. I will never be able to please him, he thinks grimly. He would be better off without me.
Back at his desk, Nick remembers that year, before his father left his mother, when he thought he was happy. He went fishing with his dad, a whole weekend, and his mother waiting for them at the little cabin they rented up north, on a lake so calm, so beautiful, it was like heaven. At night, they had eaten the fish Nick caught by himself. Both his parents were laughing and congratulating him for his feat. Nowadays, whatever he does, his father never seems to appreciate it.
And now, there is this lawsuit against the city. A whole project was on the verge to be cancelled because there were some alleged irregularities in the process. Contracts, some people said, were given to friends, despite strict rules. Now, some contractors wanted the city to acknowledge its wrong doing and give them their part of the cake or the allegations would be made public, with names and reputations on the hold.
Another mess his father had overlooked. Nick knew better than to get his hopes up, than to think that if he saved the firm yet again – that his father might notice. His father thought this would go away because the accusations were, in his opinion, groundless. But Nick thought they should act aggressively before “shit hits the fan,” as he told his father. Once again, Burton decided not to listen. Nick knew better, he had to trust his instincts this time, even if it meant going against his father.
Today, Nick is in charge of the partners meeting. He told his father earlier this morning that he would bring up the matter to be discussed. The tension between them is palpable.
“OK. Let’s start. Concerning the lawsuit, who thinks we should make an offer and ask the city to settle?” Nick asks, glancing at his father who is sitting on his side in silence.
Burton is the only one who doesn’t raise his hand. “All right. Meeting’s closed!” concludes Nick, before his father had a chance to argue.
“Son, you’re making a mistake,” says Burton, before Nick walks out of the conference room. Nick turns around and looks at his father in the eyes: “All my life, I’ve listened to that speech – maturity, responsibility, wisdom. Look at you. Does it disappear with old age?” And Nick left the room leaving his father completely at loss.
