The morning meetings with human resources and the division heads ran well into the afternoon. Nancy was glad to have less formal work for the remainder of the day.

“How'd it go?” Maurice asked as she exited the elevator.

“As expected. Anything for me?” Maurice shook his head. “Good. I have a couple things to catch up on. Unless it’s important, I don’t want to be disturbed.”

“Yes ma’am,” Maurice nodded. Nancy shut the door behind her and headed toward her desk when the sun starting its descent over the Pacific caught her eye. She walked over and leaned on the window, whisked away to when she was little.

She loved coming here with her father. Playing with her dolls by the windows like they were giants walking among the tall buildings of the city. She would 'help' her father work by 'sorting' papers in secret places. They'd have lunch up on the balcony when it wasn't too windy. But her favorite was around this time of day when the sun would throw millions of sparkles off the ocean.

She smiled, allowing herself a moment in a simpler time before a knock at the door pulled her back. She turned to see Maurice's face wrinkled like he'd smelled something foul.

“The wicked witch is on line two,” he frowned. Nancy took a deep breath, walked over to sit at her desk.

“Ingrid, to what do I owe the pleasure?” Nancy asked with a forced smile as she rested her head in her hand.

“I’ve sent over some documents for your signature,” Ingrid said, her raspy voice more pronounced over the phone. Nancy brought her email up but didn’t see anything.

“There's nothing in my inbox. Also, what am I signing?”

“It’s being sent by courier,” Ingrid replied, causing Nancy to roll her eyes.

“Very well, but what is it?”

“Stock buyback. We’re collapsing ten percent to increase value.” Nancy pulled the phone away and took a deep breath before returning the it to her ear.

“On what authority is this happening?” she asked in a measured tone.

“Does it matter?”

“Yes! This is not a singular point decision.”

“Oh, I just assumed you’d be understanding,” Ingrid replied, her tone light and innocent.

“And why would you assume that?”

“Our conversation the other day, dear. The one about change,” Ingrid said, her tone dripping with venomous sweetness. The plastic of the handset groaned under Nancy’s grip as her eyes narrowed. She opened her mouth to reply but Ingrid cut her off.

“Nancy, take care of this and I won’t have to bring anything up next quarter.” The sound of dead air followed Ingrid hanging up. Nancy exhaled through her nose, pain shooting up her clenched jaw. One day. It took all of one day for that little witch to start giving orders when she thought she had control.

You're not cut out for this.

Her chest tightened, hearing her fathers words in her head. Nancy spent her entire career winning back trust he had lost. Acting without board approval was his way of doing things. If she authorized the buy back it would flush everything she had built. If she defied Ingrid, the 'something brought up next quarter' would most likely be a vote of no confidence. With Antony firmly under her heel, she had the votes needed to remove Nancy as Chair.

You're going to fail.

Nancy zoned out, his words ringing in her head until the automated phone operator's voice shocked her back into reality.

“God! Damn!! It!!!” she screamed, slamming the phone down. Maurice rushed in, closing the doors behind him.

“Didn’t go well?”

“Not even remotely,” Nancy breathed through clenched teeth. She had four months.

“Anything I can do to help?”

“Only if you want to murder that old hag for me,” Nancy replied, closing her eyes. Four months to find a way out.

“I’m afraid that’s pretty far outside my wheelhouse,” Maurice said with a pained grin and his hands out. Nancy exhaled as she stood up, put her gym bag on her desk, and unzipped her dress.

“Cancel the rest of the day. I need to think.”

___________________________

After a successful run on Sunday to his friend Arthur's in Newfield, Ikher replenished his stock just as he was bombarded with customers. That evening Ken came back and got several grams for himself and for a colleague to try. Cullen and his sister, Derreth, returned as well.

Today, one of Derreth's friends showed up at his door and even Robin, the nervous IT guy from up the street, came and bought half his remaining stash. After Robin left, Ikher dropped onto his couch and pondered what to do that evening when it came to him. He smiled, grabbing his phone.

“Hey Junior,” his mother’s little voice said, “I’m between cases, so I only have a second.”

“That’s okay. I was wondering if you wanted to come over for dinner?”

“Hmm. Yes, that’d be nice. It’ll be later though. I still have a couple visits. Maybe around seven or seven thirty?”

“That’s perfect. What do you want?” he asked, walking over to inspect his fridge.

“Surprise me! I have to go. I’ll see you tonight.”

“Okay, bye!” he said, flipping his phone closed. Checking the fridge and pantry he had enough for dinner but would need to restock. He had plenty of money from his recent sales and realized this could be his hold over. He had made decent money selling in college and if the recent rush of customers was any indication then he would probably do well.

Setting things aside the things for dinner, he noticed Nancy’s car outside. Looking, he didn't see her, so he filled a glass of water and figured he'd catch her on the way out. Sitting at the kitchen table he ran numbers for his incoming cash versus bills.

He didn't have a mortgage, so he only had to worry about utilities, groceries, and property tax. More than halfway through the brick, he already had enough for his bills and figured the rest would more than cover his food costs with enough to set aside for taxes.The numbers said he would be good but hesitation hung over him.

He transitioned to the couch to run pros and cons. It was one thing to do it in a closed environment like school and a whole different thing to do it out in the real world. On one hand, weed was illegal and if he got caught selling, they'd throw the book at him; the book his mother would promptly beat him senseless with.

On the other, it seemed like it could be a lot of money and he heard people saying they were going to add legalization to the ballot this year. If he could fly under the radar long enough to reach it being legalized, he’d be ahead of the game.

He already had an in with a grower and a somewhat established clientele who seemed discreet enough. Laying his head back on the couch, he figured that even if he only did it for a short period of time, he could save enough to last him until he found a real job.

Staring at the cracks in the ceiling paint, he decided on six months if it went badly and a year if it went well. That would give him enough to cover the house taxes and wait out a legalization vote. If it got too hot or the vote never came, he could get out with something in the bank.

A glance at his watch showed that he had lost an hour to planning. As he was started sorting for dinner, he spotted a familiar white tracksuit pass by. Ikher jumped to the table, grabbed the glass of water, and opened the door.

"Nansay! Got some fine quality H2O right here," he called, skipping down the steps. Nancy skidded to a halt and whipped around to face him, ripping her sunglasses off.

She was flush and sweaty. Her hair matted and her tracksuit stuck to her. But it was her eyes, boiling with rage, that stopped him in his tracks and made the hair on his arms and neck raise.

"What do you want Ikher?" she demanded, stomping towards him. "To what end is all this? The forced water. This inane chit chat? Just say it, what do you want from me?"

His chest tightened and he stepped backwards but his foot hit stairs. He fell backward but managed to catch himself on the steps. Nancy towered over him, hands balled into fists, anger radiating from every pore.

"Well!?!"

"I... I don’t want anything..."

"Bullshit! Everyone wants something!" He climbed up a step to get away from her, spilling the water onto the stairs.

"I don't! I was just trying to be friendly," Ikher said. Her face scrunched up, her lips quivering as the heat from her eyes blazed down at him.

"Friendly? What world do you live in? No one's this nice. There's always an agenda, always an end game. Tell me yours, so we can stop this stupidity," she hissed, jabbing her finger in his face.

"I... I... don’t want anything from you Nancy, I promise," he said,raising his hands up, shrinking under her gaze. She glared at him for a moment then blinked, looking him over sprawled out on his stairs, cowering. Her face softened and she took a half step back. She opened her mouth to say something but turned and walked to her car.

"Your parking spot is free. Give it to someone else," she said, over the top of her sedan as she got in. Ikher stood up as she pulled off. He looked at the empty glass in his hand and then to her car as it turned the corner at the end of the street.

“What the hell just happened?”

___________________________

A warm and savory scent of chicken curry hung in the kitchen as the street lamps came on outside.

“Junior this is excellent!” Ikher's eyebrows rose from his bowl as he sat across from her. “Really, this is almost as good as mine,” she said, savoring the forkful as he put his bowl down smiling.

“Thanks, Ma. So I’ve dethroned the master?”

“Psssh! I said almost,” she replied, making him laugh as he got up for seconds.

“You want some more?” She waved him off, wiping her mouth with the napkin.

“How have you settled in?” his mother asked as he sat back down, digging into his bowl.

“Good!” he said, between chews. “Everyone here is cool. My neighbors brought a cake and I’ve hung out with a couple of them. Good people.”

“You’re always good at making friends,” she smiled as she sat back.

“Mmmm,” he nodded, chewing. “I met a guy who invited me to come to his bar to watch football too!”

“Ugh! You and that game,” she said, chucking and rolling her eyes. “Have you found a job yet?” Ikher set his bowl down, wiped his mouth with his sleeve, and thought for a second.

“I, ummm, have some leads. I had an interview the other day. I’ll get something soon.” His mother got up and patted his cheek as he finished eating.

“How’s your little friend?” she asked, sitting on the couch. Ikher looked up and shook his head at her. “The one who helped you move in?” He leaned back in his chair nodding as he finished chewing.

“Candace,” he said, shaking his head. “Yeah, she uhh, doesn’t come around anymore.” His mother raised one eyebrow at him.

“Is that a good thing or…” she asked, looking him over.

“Ummm,” he said, getting up and putting their bowls in the sink. “I dunno, I guess?” He shrugged and came over to sit next to her. “I didn’t know you were so eager for grandchildren.” he grinned, punching her in the shoulder. His mother glared at him and put her finger on his nose.

“I better not have grandchildren this soon. You need to be free and live your life before you get locked down. Do you need me to buy you condoms?” Ikher burst out laughing.

“No no, I’ve got that covered."

“Good.” She sighed and put her hand on his knee, looking him in the eyes. “You know you don’t have to have children if you don’t want to. You shouldn’t feel pressured by anyone.” Ikher nodded and patted his mother’s hand.

“I know Ma. I’m not in any rush. Maybe someday. I think I’d be a decent dad,” he said, laying his head on the back of the couch. His mother chuckled.

“I think once you manage to get your head out of your behind, you’ll be a great father.”

“Thanks, I think.” His mother squeezed his hand and looked him in the eyes.

“Take your time. We were older when we had you. We had time for us. I think that was better, at least for me. Your father wanted children right away.”

“Do you regret it?”

“What? Holding off or having you? Do you want me to be honest?”

“I dunno now,” he said, his face drooping which made his mother laugh and pat him on the cheek.

“Stop with the long face. I don’t regret you. At least not completely,” she said, with a wink.

“Hey,” he said with a halfhearted pout that made her cackle. When she'd finished laughing at him, she smiled and squeezed his hand.

“Junior, with all of life's choices, there's always some level of regret about what could have been. But what do I always tell you?"

"Eyes forward," he said, laughing. "All of life's in front of you."

"Exactly. Would I go back and change my decision to have you? Not at all. You’re a pain in my behind like your father was, but I was glad to have him and I’m glad I have you,” she smiled. Ikher smiled and his eyes started watering, so he took his hand back to wipe them. His mother sat back wide-eyed and pointed at him.

“Don’t you cry, cause then I’ll cry!” she yelled.

“Sorry! Sorry!” Ikher sniffed, finished wiping his eyes with both hands and stood up. “You wanna dry while I wash?” His mother put her hand on her chest and sucked in a breath.

“You’re going to make your guest clean up?!”

“No, I wanted to spend more time with my mom since I don’t get to see her much,” he said with a big grin. Her shoulders dropped and she glared at him before pointing.

“That’s emotional blackmail.” She sighed, shaking her head for a moment before extending her hand.

“Thaaank you, mommy,” he said in a sing-song voice as he helped her up making her smack him on the shoulder as they walked over to the sink.