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It still feels strange to walk past the car instead of heading straight to it, but it's a feeling that I enjoy. On the edge of the clearing, just a few yards from the cabin, is a new building that we managed to erect over the winter. Caleb insisted on getting it built as soon as possible, but it still took ages since we had to dodge the rain as much as possible.
I kick off my boots as soon as I'm through the door so that I don't track mud across the floor. I've got a pair of slippers waiting to wear just while I'm here.
The floorplan is slightly smaller than the original layout of the cabin, but it's still more than enough space to serve as a perfectly adequate home office. There's a desk against one wall, with a window that looks out over the clearing where Caleb plans to start building a community garden as soon as the last frost has passed.
There's a small heater sitting in one corner, and in a few minutes, the office has already started to warm up. My computer is ready and waiting for me, exactly the way it was when I left last night.
It's surreal to be able to walk fifty feet from my front door and be ready to work. The internet connection provided by the cell phone tower is nowhere near as fast as what I had back in Seattle, but it's a small sacrifice that is more than worth it. Plus, now I can have my cell phone on standby, and Caleb can text me if he needs anything at all.
I set an alarm to remind me to take a break for lunch and drop heavily into my desk chair.
I've been hard at work on a series of updates for the app that have added more content and functionality. Thanks to the app's success, I've managed to secure a few investments for my business that made it possible for me to hire a few remote assistants. That means I no longer need to worry about keeping up with everything.
My desk is littered with papers, mostly contracts and documentation of various interactions I've had with investors and customers. I spend hours reading and negotiating with potential partners. It's exhausting work, but also incredibly rewarding.
After a couple of hours of intense concentration, I pause to stretch my legs and grab a soda from the mini-fridge. That was Caleb's Christmas present to me. I didn't think I'd need one, since I can literally walk back to the house if there's anything I need, but it's been nice. And it lets me grab a quick drink without breaking my workflow.
I glance at the time on my phone. Just a little bit longer until lunch. I can wrap up the current bug report I've been addressing. It shouldn't take more than twenty minutes or so, and then I’ll start walking back.
A sudden knock at the door interrupts my thoughts. I frown. I'm not expecting anyone to drop by.
"Come on in," I call out as I push my chair back from my desk.
The door opens, and I'm surprised to see my father.
"Dad, what're you doing here?" I ask as I rise from my chair and greet him with a hug.
He steps into the room and shuts the door behind him.
"I'm here to talk to you about your future," he responds. "About what you want to do next."
"Oh?" I frown. "That sounds ominous."
He laughs. "It's nothing bad," he assures me. "But the elders and I have been impressed with the way that you and Caleb have stepped up to help lead the pack."
"It's mostly been Caleb," I remind him with a light laugh. "None of this would've happened if it wasn't for him."
"You two bring out the best in each other," my dad continues. "You're leading the pack toward a bright future that the rest of us could never have seen on our own."
"Thank you, sir," I respond, feeling a swell of pride.
"And that brings me to why I'm here today. You and Caleb have proven yourselves worthy of being leaders. Both of you have shown great skill in helping the pack navigate the perils of modern society, both online and off."
"What does that mean? What are you talking about?" I ask curiously.
"We want you to join the elder council," he says with a solemn nod.
"I...I didn't think I was old enough for that." All of the elders are silver-muzzled and have far more life experience than I do. I can't even imagine joining their ranks at my age.
"You would be the youngest elder we've admitted in a long time," my father agrees, "but being an elder isn't about age. It's about leadership and the respect that you command from your packmates."
"I...I don't know what to say." I blink in surprise as I try to process what he just said. I'm not sure I'm ready to step up to that kind of responsibility.
"You don't have to make any decisions right now," my father reassures me. "We just wanted to give you plenty of notice so that you're able to prepare yourself for the role. We want you to consider it seriously, discuss it with your mate. You can give us an answer when you're ready."
"I will," I promise. I take my father's hand and shake it warmly. "Thank you for this opportunity."
It's strange but, for the first time in my life, I feel the weight of my position within the pack. I always knew that one day I'd be expected to take on more leadership responsibilities, but I figured that would be at some unspecified point in the future. I didn't think it would be so soon.
