Dun-dun-dahdun, Dun-dahdun, Dun-dun-dahdun
Adam woke up in a scramble, his hand fumbling to beat the offending sound. Before he fell out of his office chair, his hand grazed over his ringing and vibrating cell-phone. His mind registered the sound as a ringtone, his father’s ringtone. Fear jolted him awake and he answered the phone.
“Hello,” Adam croaked as he rubbed his blurry brown eyes.
“Glad you aren’t too lazy to answer your phone.” Pedro González, Adam’s father, chided. Adam gritted his teeth as he rubbed his face. His growing facial hair pricked him a bit as he rubbed.
“Sorry, father,” Adam muttered.
“As you should be.” Adam flinched at his father’s retort. “I shouldn’t be wasting my time waiting for you. Which is why I’m moving our meeting. It will be today after the family meeting.”
“I thought it was next week?” Adam asked as he sat up. He heard his father groan and Adam tried to prepare himself for his father’s next words.
“Well, it’s today, pendejo.” Adam winced at his father’s harsh tone. “See you then.” The call ended with a sharp click. Adam let out a whimper as he rubbed his face again. His rough facial hair lost its prickly nature as it grew through his fingers.
“No,” Adam growled. “Not now, not now,” His teeth became sharper and a familiar dull ache hit his face. “NOT NOW!" He barked and it echoed in his office. The lamp and pens on his desk shook a bit. He hoped it was because of the walls reverberating the sound.
Silence beat against his ears as he rubbed his face. He breathed deeply and glanced at the clock. The family meeting was at 7:30 and it was around the end of 5. He could finish the proposal; it just wouldn’t be edited. Maybe his father wouldn’t want to see it.
Adam let out a groan. His father always wanted proof. Perfect, well-worded proof. Adam could give that proof orally, but his father always requested documents for business. This included proposals for new contracts. Adam would just have to be careful writing the last paragraph of this proposal. If he started now, he might even get a quick edit in. Quickly, he turned on his computer. It had locked itself when he closed his eyes, but keep the things he had been working on. He had a text reader, reading the manuscript for Hills magazine and the proposal document opened. He had just one more paragraph. Adam went to work.
The sound of footsteps began to override the taping of his work. Adam focused on the ticking clock, using it to remind himself of his limited time. Then blaring pop music accompanied the footsteps. Adam felt his eye twitch as the music grew louder. Singing accompanied the music and Adam growled, his canines a bit sharp. Adam stood up and opened his office door. Outside was an elderly janitor with his headphones in. Adam recognized him as Glen or something.
“You!” Adam snarled. The elderly man kept wiping the frames. “HEY!” Adam barked. The man jumped and turned to Adam. He gave Adam a sheepish smile and pulled out his headphones.
“Oh! You’re here again, Mr. González.” With the man facing him, Adam could get a better smell of the man. Lemon cleaner with charcoal, it was definitely Glen Something. “Did you stay all night again?”
“Yes,” Adam sighed and he saw Glen frown. “I’m finishing a proposal for my father that is due today. So, no music.” Adam growled. He glared at the headphones before leveling his glare on Glen. Glen jumped again.
“Oh! Sorry, sir! My granddaughter, Mia, bought me these soundproof headphones to listen to her jams.” Glen chuckled as Adam rolled his eyes and drummed his fingers on the door frame. “I thought I would enjoy them as I do the cleaning this morning. I thought you wouldn’t hear me, with the walls being soundproof and all.” Glen shrugged as he gestured to the walls.
“I have sensitive ears,” Adam said quickly. “So, no music,” Adam ordered. He turned to go back to his room, before remembering something. He leaned back out the door frame. “HEY!” Glen turned back. “Tell everyone else, no music.”
“No music, you got it Mr. González.” Glen gave a salute and Adam nodded before going back into his office. The door slammed shut and Adam jumped. He turned and growled at the door. Nothing happened. Adam blinked and ran his hands across his face roughly.
“Ugh! You don’t have time for this Adam.” He muttered to himself. He ran back to his computer and went to work once more. This time he decided to do a quick edit and read through. Rereading his proposal gave him a bit of confidence. The proposal for the project change was thoroughly researched, and while he didn’t have as many examples as he wanted and didn’t address every detail, he could talk through those. He was finishing up the paragraph when his door opened.
“Not now, Emma. I will talk to you about Crane’s boorish illustrations later.” Adam said quickly. Emma was a mousy girl and was always the first publisher in. She ran the children's stories and illustrations with Paige. Emma had been begging and raving about Walter Crane’s illustrations, but Adam was not impressed. What child would appreciate such complicated artwork? Adam would have to deal with Emma and Crane later. Right now, the proposal for his father. “Get examples or ideas for a back-up artist.”
“I would love to,” Adam’s head snapped up to the doorway. It was not Mousy Emma at the doorway, but his strong Tía Pat strutting into the room, her white pristine pantsuit shining. “But that isn’t my job, mijo.” His Tía smiled at him and he blinked. Adam looked at his watch. It was 6:50.
“CRAP!” Adam finished the last sentence quickly and printed out the document. “I didn’t get to edit the ending.” He muttered to himself as he printed the document. Once that was done, he began getting the other manuscripts and Villeneuve’s manuscript together. He glanced up at Tía Pat. “Go ahead of me, Tía. I still need to get some things together.” Adam rushed to get the printed proposal.
“Mi hijo!” Tía met him at the printer. “Did you stay here all night again?” She grabbed his face, tearing his focus from the proposal in his hands. “Your canines are sharp.” Tía gently caressed his face. Adam felt that his facial hair was still a bit long.
“Sorry,” Adam whimpered and attempted to look away. Tía held onto him.
“Breathe, mijo.” Adam did as he was told as Tía petted his cheeks. “You didn’t sleep either.” Tía’s dark eyes examined Adam’s eyes and face closely. Adam pulled away from Tía and went back to his desk.
“I had to finish the proposal so it could be edited,” Adam began to defend himself as he put everything together. “The proposal I have to present today.” Adam sighed and rubbed his face. Why did he feel so worn out? He barely started his day.
“Today?” Tía came towards him. “I thought you were meeting with your father next week.”
“He moved it to today.” Adam finished gathering the paperwork and laid it in his briefcase. “There.” Adam let a smile flicker on his face as the briefcase snapped shut. “Ready.”
“What happened to Agatha?” Adam finally focused on Tía Pat. Her hair as usual was down and her tan skin and dark eyes were enhanced by her white suit.
“You look amazing, Tía.” Adam smiled as he went towards, briefcase in hand, and gave her a peck on the cheek. “As always.”
“You didn’t answer my question.” Tía gently grabbed his arm. He winced. Her eyes narrowed more. “What happened to Agatha?”
“Imadehercry,” Adam said quickly.
“What?” Tía blinked and Adam sighed.
“I made her cry.” He said slowly. Tía rose an eyebrow. “Her perfume stinked.” Adam shrugged.
“So, you told her that her perfume stunk then she cried and quit?” Tía’s eyebrows furrowed as she attempted to understand Adam. He shook his head.
“She brought me coffee, I told her that her perfume, which she wore to attract men, smelled horrible and she would not be able to get Lionel interested. The next day, she was crying and poured coffee on my paperwork, then quit. Needless to say, Lionel is still single and gay.” He shrugged. He may have left out the words Agatha said afterward.
“Adam,” Tía sighed. “That is the third one in the past three months.” She chided as she began fixing and rearranging his clothes. Adam shrugged.
“I work better on my own.”
“You like to work on your own.” Tía chided as she pulled on his collar. "There is a difference.” Tía patted his collar to straighten it out. “Glen told me that no music was allowed as I came in.” Tía’s dark eyes were burrowing into him.
“Sorry, again.” Adam bit the inside his lip and looked away.
“That’s not what I meant, mijo.” Tía sighed and Adam’s stomach sunk further. “I,”
“Mr. González!” Emma came into his office, stopping Tía. Adam stepped away from Tía. “Oh, I apologize Mr. González, I just wanted to get your thoughts on Crane’s illustrations before I get started.” Adam looked at the clock. It was exactly 7. Adam admired Emma’s punctuality.
“Follow us,” Adam ordered as he gently passed Tía and left his office. “We are on our way to a meeting. Which will give you time to find another artist.” Adam spoke as he walked purposefully to the elevator. Emma’s heels clicked on the tile loudly as she worked to keep up with his pace. Adam gritted his teeth and gripped his briefcase tightly at the ringing sound. He was thankful for Tía’s graceful steps.
“What? A back-up illustrator. Why? Crane’s illustrations are artistic and full of vintage design. They will give the book a sophisticated edge.” Emma argued. Adam glanced at Emma with a raised eyebrow. While punctual, she was a bit thick-headed.
“I don’t think sophisticated with a kid’s book.”
“But,” Emma gaped as they reached the elevator.
“Get a back-up. Look into Violetta Dabija.” Adam ordered as he pressed the up button. “Those drawings are digital and not boorish.”
“Boorish!” Emma exclaimed and Adam nodded. One of the elevators rang.
“We’ll talk about it later.” Adam looked away from Emma and faced the opening elevator. He put his arm in front of the doors. “Mrs. González-Johnson.” Adam nodded at his Tía. She smiled at him and then looked at Emma.
“We will be done around 9 AM, and Adam will be free afterward. With a child of my own, I know that she likes whimsical drawings. See if your illustrator can provide a sample.” Tía advised before getting into the elevator. Adam followed her in. The elevator doors closed on a still gaping Emma. “Adam,” Tía sighed and he looked to her. “You need to learn a gentle touch with your words.”
“I’d rather be honest than gentle.” Adam shrugged and pulled at his sleeves. “Nothing can get better if I’m not honest.” As he ignored Tía’s knowing look and her reflection, he caught his rumpled disheveled reflection. “And there’s a lot that can be better.”
Adam woke up in a scramble, his hand fumbling to beat the offending sound. Before he fell out of his office chair, his hand grazed over his ringing and vibrating cell-phone. His mind registered the sound as a ringtone, his father’s ringtone. Fear jolted him awake and he answered the phone.
“Hello,” Adam croaked as he rubbed his blurry brown eyes.
“Glad you aren’t too lazy to answer your phone.” Pedro González, Adam’s father, chided. Adam gritted his teeth as he rubbed his face. His growing facial hair pricked him a bit as he rubbed.
“Sorry, father,” Adam muttered.
“As you should be.” Adam flinched at his father’s retort. “I shouldn’t be wasting my time waiting for you. Which is why I’m moving our meeting. It will be today after the family meeting.”
“I thought it was next week?” Adam asked as he sat up. He heard his father groan and Adam tried to prepare himself for his father’s next words.
“Well, it’s today, pendejo.” Adam winced at his father’s harsh tone. “See you then.” The call ended with a sharp click. Adam let out a whimper as he rubbed his face again. His rough facial hair lost its prickly nature as it grew through his fingers.
“No,” Adam growled. “Not now, not now,” His teeth became sharper and a familiar dull ache hit his face. “NOT NOW!" He barked and it echoed in his office. The lamp and pens on his desk shook a bit. He hoped it was because of the walls reverberating the sound.
Silence beat against his ears as he rubbed his face. He breathed deeply and glanced at the clock. The family meeting was at 7:30 and it was around the end of 5. He could finish the proposal; it just wouldn’t be edited. Maybe his father wouldn’t want to see it.
Adam let out a groan. His father always wanted proof. Perfect, well-worded proof. Adam could give that proof orally, but his father always requested documents for business. This included proposals for new contracts. Adam would just have to be careful writing the last paragraph of this proposal. If he started now, he might even get a quick edit in. Quickly, he turned on his computer. It had locked itself when he closed his eyes, but keep the things he had been working on. He had a text reader, reading the manuscript for Hills magazine and the proposal document opened. He had just one more paragraph. Adam went to work.
The sound of footsteps began to override the taping of his work. Adam focused on the ticking clock, using it to remind himself of his limited time. Then blaring pop music accompanied the footsteps. Adam felt his eye twitch as the music grew louder. Singing accompanied the music and Adam growled, his canines a bit sharp. Adam stood up and opened his office door. Outside was an elderly janitor with his headphones in. Adam recognized him as Glen or something.
“You!” Adam snarled. The elderly man kept wiping the frames. “HEY!” Adam barked. The man jumped and turned to Adam. He gave Adam a sheepish smile and pulled out his headphones.
“Oh! You’re here again, Mr. González.” With the man facing him, Adam could get a better smell of the man. Lemon cleaner with charcoal, it was definitely Glen Something. “Did you stay all night again?”
“Yes,” Adam sighed and he saw Glen frown. “I’m finishing a proposal for my father that is due today. So, no music.” Adam growled. He glared at the headphones before leveling his glare on Glen. Glen jumped again.
“Oh! Sorry, sir! My granddaughter, Mia, bought me these soundproof headphones to listen to her jams.” Glen chuckled as Adam rolled his eyes and drummed his fingers on the door frame. “I thought I would enjoy them as I do the cleaning this morning. I thought you wouldn’t hear me, with the walls being soundproof and all.” Glen shrugged as he gestured to the walls.
“I have sensitive ears,” Adam said quickly. “So, no music,” Adam ordered. He turned to go back to his room, before remembering something. He leaned back out the door frame. “HEY!” Glen turned back. “Tell everyone else, no music.”
“No music, you got it Mr. González.” Glen gave a salute and Adam nodded before going back into his office. The door slammed shut and Adam jumped. He turned and growled at the door. Nothing happened. Adam blinked and ran his hands across his face roughly.
“Ugh! You don’t have time for this Adam.” He muttered to himself. He ran back to his computer and went to work once more. This time he decided to do a quick edit and read through. Rereading his proposal gave him a bit of confidence. The proposal for the project change was thoroughly researched, and while he didn’t have as many examples as he wanted and didn’t address every detail, he could talk through those. He was finishing up the paragraph when his door opened.
“Not now, Emma. I will talk to you about Crane’s boorish illustrations later.” Adam said quickly. Emma was a mousy girl and was always the first publisher in. She ran the children's stories and illustrations with Paige. Emma had been begging and raving about Walter Crane’s illustrations, but Adam was not impressed. What child would appreciate such complicated artwork? Adam would have to deal with Emma and Crane later. Right now, the proposal for his father. “Get examples or ideas for a back-up artist.”
“I would love to,” Adam’s head snapped up to the doorway. It was not Mousy Emma at the doorway, but his strong Tía Pat strutting into the room, her white pristine pantsuit shining. “But that isn’t my job, mijo.” His Tía smiled at him and he blinked. Adam looked at his watch. It was 6:50.
“CRAP!” Adam finished the last sentence quickly and printed out the document. “I didn’t get to edit the ending.” He muttered to himself as he printed the document. Once that was done, he began getting the other manuscripts and Villeneuve’s manuscript together. He glanced up at Tía Pat. “Go ahead of me, Tía. I still need to get some things together.” Adam rushed to get the printed proposal.
“Mi hijo!” Tía met him at the printer. “Did you stay here all night again?” She grabbed his face, tearing his focus from the proposal in his hands. “Your canines are sharp.” Tía gently caressed his face. Adam felt that his facial hair was still a bit long.
“Sorry,” Adam whimpered and attempted to look away. Tía held onto him.
“Breathe, mijo.” Adam did as he was told as Tía petted his cheeks. “You didn’t sleep either.” Tía’s dark eyes examined Adam’s eyes and face closely. Adam pulled away from Tía and went back to his desk.
“I had to finish the proposal so it could be edited,” Adam began to defend himself as he put everything together. “The proposal I have to present today.” Adam sighed and rubbed his face. Why did he feel so worn out? He barely started his day.
“Today?” Tía came towards him. “I thought you were meeting with your father next week.”
“He moved it to today.” Adam finished gathering the paperwork and laid it in his briefcase. “There.” Adam let a smile flicker on his face as the briefcase snapped shut. “Ready.”
“What happened to Agatha?” Adam finally focused on Tía Pat. Her hair as usual was down and her tan skin and dark eyes were enhanced by her white suit.
“You look amazing, Tía.” Adam smiled as he went towards, briefcase in hand, and gave her a peck on the cheek. “As always.”
“You didn’t answer my question.” Tía gently grabbed his arm. He winced. Her eyes narrowed more. “What happened to Agatha?”
“Imadehercry,” Adam said quickly.
“What?” Tía blinked and Adam sighed.
“I made her cry.” He said slowly. Tía rose an eyebrow. “Her perfume stinked.” Adam shrugged.
“So, you told her that her perfume stunk then she cried and quit?” Tía’s eyebrows furrowed as she attempted to understand Adam. He shook his head.
“She brought me coffee, I told her that her perfume, which she wore to attract men, smelled horrible and she would not be able to get Lionel interested. The next day, she was crying and poured coffee on my paperwork, then quit. Needless to say, Lionel is still single and gay.” He shrugged. He may have left out the words Agatha said afterward.
“Adam,” Tía sighed. “That is the third one in the past three months.” She chided as she began fixing and rearranging his clothes. Adam shrugged.
“I work better on my own.”
“You like to work on your own.” Tía chided as she pulled on his collar. "There is a difference.” Tía patted his collar to straighten it out. “Glen told me that no music was allowed as I came in.” Tía’s dark eyes were burrowing into him.
“Sorry, again.” Adam bit the inside his lip and looked away.
“That’s not what I meant, mijo.” Tía sighed and Adam’s stomach sunk further. “I,”
“Mr. González!” Emma came into his office, stopping Tía. Adam stepped away from Tía. “Oh, I apologize Mr. González, I just wanted to get your thoughts on Crane’s illustrations before I get started.” Adam looked at the clock. It was exactly 7. Adam admired Emma’s punctuality.
“Follow us,” Adam ordered as he gently passed Tía and left his office. “We are on our way to a meeting. Which will give you time to find another artist.” Adam spoke as he walked purposefully to the elevator. Emma’s heels clicked on the tile loudly as she worked to keep up with his pace. Adam gritted his teeth and gripped his briefcase tightly at the ringing sound. He was thankful for Tía’s graceful steps.
“What? A back-up illustrator. Why? Crane’s illustrations are artistic and full of vintage design. They will give the book a sophisticated edge.” Emma argued. Adam glanced at Emma with a raised eyebrow. While punctual, she was a bit thick-headed.
“I don’t think sophisticated with a kid’s book.”
“But,” Emma gaped as they reached the elevator.
“Get a back-up. Look into Violetta Dabija.” Adam ordered as he pressed the up button. “Those drawings are digital and not boorish.”
“Boorish!” Emma exclaimed and Adam nodded. One of the elevators rang.
“We’ll talk about it later.” Adam looked away from Emma and faced the opening elevator. He put his arm in front of the doors. “Mrs. González-Johnson.” Adam nodded at his Tía. She smiled at him and then looked at Emma.
“We will be done around 9 AM, and Adam will be free afterward. With a child of my own, I know that she likes whimsical drawings. See if your illustrator can provide a sample.” Tía advised before getting into the elevator. Adam followed her in. The elevator doors closed on a still gaping Emma. “Adam,” Tía sighed and he looked to her. “You need to learn a gentle touch with your words.”
“I’d rather be honest than gentle.” Adam shrugged and pulled at his sleeves. “Nothing can get better if I’m not honest.” As he ignored Tía’s knowing look and her reflection, he caught his rumpled disheveled reflection. “And there’s a lot that can be better.”
