The Golden Derby: A Short Story

I walk into ‘The Golden Derby’ and look around before the hostess has a chance to greet me. Alec stands from his chair and waves to me. I walk over to him. He has a sport coat and tie on, which is fairly ‘decked out’ from what I’ve seen of him.

I walk slow, I may as well make him sweat a little. He’s a good kid, but how many opportunities like this am I going to get? At this point, I don’t even carry that much weight, because he has known me for too long. Not like the night Laura brought him home. That was a fun night.

“Hi, Mr. Bradley.”

“Hi, Alec. This is a nice place you picked out.” I’m not mocking him, ‘The Golden Derby’ is one of the nicest places in the city. He’s gonna end up spending a lot for us to get a couple of club sandwiches.

We sit down, and look over the menus. I toy with the idea of getting a steak, but I think that it might be too far. It might be insulting if I tell him I was just joking.

“So, what is the special occasion?” I ask, knowing full well.

“Um… Well… Um… Sir…” He takes a long breath to gather some courage. “Um… I have been dating Laura for almost three years now. Um… And I’d like… I’d like to get your blessing to ask her to marry me.”

‘Blessing’ huh? That’s different. When I went cowering to my father-in-law twenty-seven years ago, it wasn’t a blessing I was looking for. It was permission.

“Alec, you’re a nice guy. You have my ‘blessing.’” He lets out an audible sigh, and I smile to let him know it’s gonna be ok. “But keep in mind that being good with me is a bit of a rolling basis. You have to keep treating her as well as I am under the impression that you have the last two years.”

“Oh, yes sir!” He’s beaming like a kid on Christmas now.

“So… have you already picked out a ring?” I ask. I’m honestly not knowing what I’m supposed to say for the rest of this awkward lunch.

“Yes sir.” He says fumbling in his jacket pocket.

“Um… That’s fine, why don’t I wait to see it. I’m sure it’ll look better with Laura’s smile reflecting in it.”

We order, and both try to fill the gaps in the conversation with talk about his job, and plans. He’s a junior copywriter at an ad agency, but he’s working on his MBA. Thank God for that. When Laura told me he was in advertising, my first question was “Because of Mad Men?” And her cheeks turned red, and I knew I had hit the nail on the head. So when she said he had started working on his MBA I was relieved that he was heading toward something a little more stable.

“Well, thank you very much for lunch.” I say to him, after I had offered three times to pay. “I suppose next time I see you, you’ll be engaged.” I smile at him and shake his hand. I take a mint off of the hostess stand and walk out a few feet behind him.

***

I sit at my desk, staring at a pile of annual reviews that I have to go over, and my phone rings. I blankly pick it up, not feeling like working.

“Surbig Industries, Damon Bradley speaking?” There is a momentary pause before my wife speaks.

“Damon…  You need to come home.” Her voice is grave, but she doesn’t sound as if she is crying.

“What’s wrong, Beth?” I can hear Laura talking hysterically but I can’t understand her through the sobs.

“Laura’s saying you should meet us at the hospital. Alec got in a car accident, and Laura is a mess. Please, Damon.”

I agree and hang up. I stare at my desk, my eyes don’t seem to focus on anything. In fact I’m unaware at first by I’m starting to see black at the edge of my vision. After a moment trying to muster up my composer I grab my things and head out.