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HUNTER
What did I miss?
The question pulls at me as I flip through the presentation over and over again. The answer isn’t on the page. I knew that when I started looking. This isn’t about numbers, Mr. Franklin indicated that my offer was fair, even generous. It isn’t about fit, he knows about my family’s reputation, we aren’t going to level the Legendary and make it into a parking lot. It’s something else. Something personal. A missed opportunity from his past that he wishes he could correct.
My entire deal may be slipping through my hands, but I won’t panic. Mr. Franklin promised to get back to me soon enough. I don’t dare call my dad with the concerns. He’ll warn me that it's a negotiating tactic by the owner to get a concession or increase the price. But he didn’t see what I did. The sincerity in Mr. Franklin’s eyes.
He spoke the truth - he’s not bluffing.
The church bells chime across town, the melody floating on the warm air and through the open window. My own missed opportunity floating to my head - Catherine. I can’t believe it's only been a few days since we met. But it only took a minute for her to change my life forever.
Images of us strolling through town laughing and being silly. Our lunch at Madison’s, the bike ride at Osprey mountains. A half dozen images whip around my head as I fight back the feelings. Mr. Franklin’s words echoing in my head.
What if you didn’t make the logical choice, but the right one? The one your gut told you to take but weren’t brave enough to do?
The realization hits me, this is how I feel about Catherine. We don’t know each other, yet I feel a connection I’ve never felt with anyone else. If I don’t take a shot at the impossible, I may have the same look on my face that Mr. Franklin does. A decision that will haunt me until my retirement, the game of what if haunting me every step of the way.
The final church bell rings, its remnant echoing through the air. The world is moving on and I’m still sitting in this crappy apartment. I swipe at my phone and make note of the hour. Ava and Carlos should be in the middle of their vows right now. Two people making a public pledge of commitment for the world to see.
How is it possible that I could lose Catherine and this deal all in the same twenty-four hours? I can’t let it happen. There’s still time. It’s time for me to drop the charade, to drop the pretense. It’s time for me to step into the light and fight for what I want.
