Sevs walked in a daze to the cafeteria through the rain. Luckily it seems that Father was also lost in thought. They drew a few smiles and waves as others were also getting ready for lunch and going to the food court.

A man Sevs didn’t recognize fell into step with them as they were halfway to their destination.

“Hey Markus!” Father said with some genuine warmth as he reached over to shake his hand. He continued “This is my son Sevs, apparently he's just too smart for preschool” as he reached down to ruffle Sevs hair.

“Sevs this is Markus, we used to work together for a while”

“Before you became one of those big wigs, you mean.” Markus said with a teasing grin. “Your father was always wasted with us code monkeys, too much talent for people.”

“So you say Markus, but I could never do what you do. Left me in the dust at every turn.” To Sevs he stage whispered “He was my right hand man. But mostly just the fall guy.”

Father chuckled as he dodged an elbow to the ribs. Markus reached over and offered Sevs his hand to shake. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Sevs. How do you feel about Indian food?”

Sevs shrugged. “I don’t mind it. My taste buds can’t take very spicy food yet, but I am sure that I can find something.”

Markus gave Father what was a familiar look to Sevs, but one he had gotten used to while interacting with adults in a child's form. However when he spoke he kept any note of surprise from his voice. “Well why don’t you two join me for lunch, a new place opened up just down the street. I have heard a few good things about it.”

“If you listen to anything Markus says, listen to his food recommendations.” Father’s hand snapped out to tap Markus on the gut. “It’s his favorite pastime. Though you look smaller since I saw you last month.”

Markus grunted. “Yeah the Mrs. has been on a crusade.”

He paused and looked uncharacteristically sad. He leaned a little towards Sevs’ Father and spoke softly. “When is the funeral I would like to pay my respects.”

Father maintained his usual stoic demeanor while answering. “We don’t have a date yet, but likely sometime the week after next.”

Markus nodded. With a slight, full body shake he clasped Father on the shoulder and squeezed reassuringly. He then indicated the diversion in the path to the cafeteria and they started walking that way in silence.

Silence didn’t seem to suit Markus as a person. After about only a minute or two he started telling them about something that had happened to him earlier in the week at work. Markus was a good storyteller. He was able to keep it interesting and it didn’t sound like whining nor was he bragging. He also was able to avoid being so self deprecating that it wasn’t funny and just made you feel bad for the person in question.

Markus regaled them with a story about some mishap and break down in communication that had resulted in the creation of a program that actively threw away any useful information. As they walked both Sevs and Father started to lighten up and soon were laughing along.

Sevs had never really heard Father laugh like this before. It was a real full bodied laugh that seemed to come from deep down. Previously at home it was normally some chuckle or a soft thing, but this was much more real.

This continued until they reached the restaurant, sat down and received menus. As the waiter walked away Markus reached out and snatched both Father’s and Sevs’ menus out of their hands. “Indian food is best served family style and as long as you eat with me I am ordering.”

Father had clearly expected this and hadn't even looked at the tri-fold menu yet. “Only if you honor the other half of our usual deal. I get to pay.”

“Of course, why do you think I like eating with you?” Markus asked.

“Well we haven’t eaten together for a while so clearly my wallet isn’t worth that much to you.”

Lunch passed pleasantly. Markus shone as he picked several dishes that they all shared and mostly enjoyed. Sevs enjoyed many of the dishes, especially the naan, but all kids love bread he thought. He was a bit put out that he couldn’t handle spicy food yet but his enjoyment of the more simple dishes was that of a child again. Thinking back, how much more had he enjoyed dino-chicken nuggets as a child compared to later when his tastes had become more complex.

As they enjoyed the food all three of them talked. Markus was still getting used to Sevs joining the adult conversations but despite his surprise he did an admirable job of treating him as an equal. They mostly avoided talking about work.

They started off talking about nothing important. The weather, sports, that sort of thing. That had lasted until the food arrived, after that it was quiet for a while as they just enjoyed the food in companionable silence. During the lull in the feast while everyone was filling their plates again Sevs spoke up.

“Markus, do you like your work?”

“Hmmm, yeah I do actually I get a certain amount of satisfaction when figuring out a problem. Also when I'm not focusing on something my mind tends to flounder. It’s best if I have something to do.”

“What about you, Father?”

“Yes Sevs I like my work a lot. Originally I took the position to give a better life for you and your mother. However, as I have learned more I found I much prefer helping people get their jobs done.”

“Did you like your old position when you worked with Markus?”

Markus cut in, “I don’t think I had ever met someone who was more talented than your father, except me of course. Why we could get lost in a complex problem for hours -”

Father interrupted him in turn. “Being good at something isn’t the same as liking it. While yes I enjoyed what I did I didn’t enjoy what I had to give up to do it. The strain working too much can put on your relationships is not to be ignored. I wanted to be there for you and your mother more than I wanted to work. Now I can say it was really the right choice for many reasons.”

Markus made a move as if to say more but Father made a gesture and his mouth snapped shut. “Some of us who don’t have a family might not understand.”

Markus nodded, “I suppose you are right. Still miss some of those times we had though.”

As they were leaving the restaurant. Sevs spoke up again. “Is it alright if I come again tomorrow, Father?”

Father paused for a second. “Probably not tomorrow. I have a long meeting that I won’t be able to slip you in. As much as I trust you I still can’t have a kid running around the office unattended.”

Sevs nodded sadly.

Markus coughed, “I might be able to help. You can send the little man down my way for a while.”

Father looked over to Markus who had a slight look of embarrassment on his face. “I thought you didn’t really like kids.”

“Well if I had known they could have turned out like yours I might have had a few myself.”