Page 41 of Kiren

“It’s my pleasure to meet you both,” I replied. “Your son is amazing, and I’m honored to be here.” Maybe that was laying it on a bit thick, but I meant every word.

“Well, come on inside to the living room. We have a cook who’s preparing seafood pasta. Let’s have drinks while we’re waiting.”

The living room had a grand, tall ceiling, a fireplace big enough to walk into, unlit, ornate couches and chairs, and its own bar. All the lighting fit the Mediterranean style of the home with windowed box lights and chandeliers that looked like candles.

Mike had a tray with wine and stemware already on the table. “Red or white?”

I chose white. I watched Kiren make the decision also to have white.

We all sat and began with light conversation. The subject changed to work. Mike and Angie talked about how nice it was that we both worked at their company. I didn’t say a word about Kiren not really liking his job. But I talked about my own job there and how much I loved it.

“Tell us how you two met,” Angie asked.

“He sort of played Secret Santa with me to get my attention,” Kiren replied.

“How did that work?” Mike asked.

“At the holiday party before Thanksgiving was when we actually met. I bought Kiren a drink and we talked and it was fun. After that, I started leaving little gifts on his desk every day. Anonymously.”

“Why secretly?” Angie leaned forward.

I shrugged. “I was having fun. I wanted to see if he liked them or threw them away. I didn’t want to impose on Kiren. He’s a quiet one.”

Angie nodded. “He is quiet.”

Kiren had taken a seat next to her on one of the couches. She touched his shoulder. “With Kiren it would depend on what the gifts were. But I don’t think he would throw any of them away.”

“They were little toys,” I admitted, watching their reactions carefully.

Kiren chuckled. “Yep. Just like Santa might bring.”

“Kiren still has toys from childhood he wouldn’t let us sell or give away.” Mike said. “In storage.”

I sipped my wine. “Turns out I won that one. He liked my gifts and then he caught me. I’d dropped one by his cubicle that I’d meant to save for another day.”

“I confronted him,” Kiren said proudly. “We decided to have lunch together and now we’re here.”

The entire evening was pleasant with food that was excellent. I had hoped to discover more hints about Kiren and his past, but no clues came my way.

On the way home, Kiren was a little too quiet.

“I like them.”

Kiren smiled at me. “Me, too.”

“I expected them to talk more about work and the company, but they didn’t.”

“They’re proud of what they’ve accomplished, but they like to get away from it. They spent years building it. And they had me. It took all their time. They like taking it easier away from worknow. They both still look at all the books and paperwork, meet with lawyers and all that stuff. They want to keep up to date and have the final word. That’s how they found out about us so quickly.”

“I was very glad to meet them.”

“Thank you, Daddy. I know they liked you.”

“Well, I was on my best behavior.”

Kiren laughed.

When we got home, Kiren dropped his coat on the floor and didn’t pick it up. He jumped and hopped up and down, skipping on the tile by the staircase. Impatient.

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