Page 30 of Technical Advances

“My dad …” I started to explain.

Only Anson started talking at the same time. “I think we’re close …”

We both stopped. My mind was screaming at me to look away, but all I could do was continue to drown, that half phrase wrapping itself around me since he’d paused at the same time I did. I think we’re close. I think we’re close. If only we really could be.

Anson may have paused to let me continue, but my mind had completely wandered back into dangerous territory, so I stayed quiet, and eventually he continued.

“I think we can start to build the model for this component. Tomorrow we should …”

“Anson.” I sighed. “My dad’s fight arrives tomorrow. I’m so sorry, I should have reminded you. Graduation …”

“Of course! Your graduation is this Saturday.” He sounded genuinely excited for me. “When does Ben get here?”

“He’s flying in tomorrow afternoon.”

Anson’s oh hung heavy in the room, but I was sure that was just my imagination projecting my own disappointment, so I filled the awkward silence that I was likely causing by rambling on.

“Yeah. His flight gets in in the early afternoon. I asked him to stay with me, but he insisted on getting a hotel room. I think he thinks I’ll be spending the weekend partying, but that's never been my thing. And it’s not like I’m an undergrad; I’m getting my doctorate, for God’s sake. Oh, shoot! I wanted to take Dad out to dinner while he was here. I probably should have made a reservation before now, what with graduation and all; every place will probably be booked. We’re all set for Saturday after the ceremony because we’re going to this little place where I’ve gotten to know the owner, but I was thinking we would go out someplace fancy while he was here. And I completely forgot to make a reservation.”

I pulled the phone more directly in front of my face to explore options for nice restaurants. As an added bonus, I was no longer looking at Anson.

“He’s done so much for me,” I rambled on as I scrolled, “and now that I’m employed, thanks to you, I can afford to take him someplace nice! So, um, thank you.”

That didn’t last long. I looked up and smiled at Anson, only to discover that he had continued to look at me intensely while I prattled on and explored on my phone.

“You’re welcome,” he said seriously, and I smiled in acknowledgment.

“But now I’ve left it to the last minute …”

“Is your dad a meat-and-potatoes type of guy?” Anson asked.

“Yeah. I’d say so.”

He reached for the phone console on his desk without taking his eyes from me. “Will you allow me to make a suggestion?” His words sounded so formal, his stare remaining intense as if the fate of the world was in my answer.

“Of course.”

He nodded but didn’t reply to me. Instead, he hit a button on the desk phone. Before he could speak, Ross’s voice came through. “Boss?”

“I need a reservation for two at Beantown Prime for …” Anson tilted his head at me in question.

I’d heard of Beantown Prime, of course; it was near MIT but not a place many students went to, unless their parents were in town and could afford it. It’s not a place Dad and I ever considered, but as a fully employed about-to-be Doctor of Science at New Day Technologies, I didn’t hesitate at the suggestion.

“For Friday night,” I answered Anson’s unasked question.

“For two,” he repeated to Ross, “for this Friday evening at 7:30. It’s for Benji and his father but make sure it’s under my name, Ross. I don’t want them to have any hiccups.”

“Understood, boss.” Ross made it sound like he and Anson were speaking in code. I looked into those eyes that remained locked on mine and tried to figure out the underlying message. Then I was just lost in them again, wondering if cerulean was a strong enough word to describe them.

“You should join us!” I blurted out, and those eyes went wide. Anson shook his head no, fervently.

“No, seriously. I had meant to ask you. Wouldn’t you like to see your childhood friend again? Catch up. Talk about how great his son is.” I ventured a joke and stopped to see Anson’s reaction. He continued to look at me seriously. I could tell he was thinking it through.

“Make the arrangements, Ross,” he said before hanging up on his assistant.

“I wouldn’t want to interfere with your time with your dad,” Anson insisted.

I couldn’t let go of the idea. “He gets here tomorrow; we’ll have plenty of time together before dinner on Friday. He would love to see you, I’m sure of it. He’s leaving right after the graduation ceremony because he has a big renovation project starting on Monday, so it has to be beforehand. You know I could never get a reservation at that restaurant on graduation weekend even if I had thought of it before today. So it’s only fair that you get to enjoy it too. I really want to introduce you, or, well, reintroduce you to my dad. Please join us.”