Page 14 of Chasing Sophia

I’m sifting through the letters when a colorful invitation catches my eye. New Year’s Eve Gala.

I rip the envelope from the side and read the letters printed in gold ink on pearly white paper.

The gala committeewould like to invite the Miller family as our honorary guests. The event will start with a speech from the town mayor, followed by a night of musical entertainment,when some of the best performers in town will showcase their extraordinary talent.

The best performers.One of them could be Sophia.

“Larry?” I holler, and in two seconds, he’s before me.

“Yes, Mr. Miller?” he asks with a slight tremble in his voice.

“Why do you get so nervous whenever I call you?”

Larry’s eyes widen, and almost unconsciously he grabs the ends of his tie to wipe off the sweat beads from his forehead. “Every day when I come to work, I think this will be my last day here. Every day when I leave, I’m glad I got through another day. But moments like these, when you call me inside, I wonder if today is the end.”

My eyebrows raise at his little speech. This is probably the first time Larry has spoken this much to me. Maybe he’s finally realized I like straight answers.

“This is my first job behind the desk, sir. Before this, I was a wood craftsman. But I became a father last month, and I need a stable income for my wife and daughter.” He pauses and looks at me. “I’m trying, Mr. Miller.”

I can’t help but wonder if I’ve been the asshole boss to Larry like Sophia’s father’s boss was to him. I place the stack of letters onto the desk, except the gala invite, and ask him to take a seat.

“I’m not firing you. Not today. Not in the near future.” Larry’s shoulders relax. “I need good, hardworking employees as much as you need a good job. I don’t mind if you need a few more weeks to get a hang of everything, I just want you to be loyal and dedicated when you are here. If you’re stressed, you’re no good to me or to yourself.”

He nods. “Thank you so much, sir.”

“This letter?” I show him the invite.

“The town knows you’re back, sir. They expect, or at least hope, to see you during the holidays. Do you want me to send a reply?”

I shake my head. “I’ll do that.” Larry is about to exit the door to my office, when an idea hits me. “Were you a good craftsman?”

He turns, and this time there’s no nervousness in his voice. “I was the best, sir.”

“Then I have a task for you, and this takes precedence over all other things.”

Later that evening,I get an unexpected call. “Asher?” Sophia’s breathless voice sounds like sweet honey.

“Hi, firecracker. All okay?”

“Yes. I wanted to ask you something.”

“Ask away.” I lean back in my chair.

“Would you like to have dinner on Christmas Eve?”

“Are you asking me out?”

“Don’t inflate that big ego. Your head is already enough big.”

“Uh-huh. From what I can remember, you loved my big head last night.”

Her breath hitches. “You’re so bad.”

“And I want to do all bad things to you. Tell me I can see you tonight.”

“Only if you come to my mom’s place for Christmas dinner. Unless you have plans elsewhere,” she quickly adds.

“I told you, I don’t have any family, Soph. I’d be honored to be your mom’s guest.”

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