Second Chances

Chapter 14

"It is what it is. Accept it and move on."

- Unknown

"So," Terrance said as we shuffled forward in the lunch line. I didn't have much of an appetite, but I figured I'd brave one of the soggy burritos, if only to appease my brother. "Dad isn't teaching here."

            I glanced at him as I placed the foil-bound burrito on my tray. "You don't seem very happy about that," I said pointedly as he grabbed a slice of pizza and an apple.

            "That's because—"

            "Hey kiddos, how has your day been?"

         My fingers froze over the water bottle I planned on grabbing as I blinked slowly.

 No. Fucking. Way.

            My brother and I snapped our gazes over to our dad who stood across from us. He was wearing a white shirt and apron, a hair net stretched out over his head and tongs in hand.

            I cast a glance around me, making sure no one was paying any attention to us before turning my gaze back to my dad's.

            "Dad?" I asked as Terrance rubbed the back of his neck, his face flushed. "What are you doing here?"

            He frowned at me. "I don't appreciate that tone young lady," he said as he pointed the tongs at me before using them to pick up a corndog and place it on the tray of the kid beside me. "And I work here now. It's only part time; I'm still looking for another job in the afternoon."

            My dad, not only the CEO but the founder of Cadwell Security Co, a multi-billion-dollar corporation, now nothing but a cafeteria worker. How does that just happen? Where's the justice?

            There never really is justice, I guess, at least from what I'd seen.

            Dad never explained why Aunt Katherine hated him so much, and didn't even explain what was going on until it was right in front of us, printed on the Brighton Times in black ink.

            I remembered Terrance and I's shocked expressions as we read over the article. It said that our father stepped down due to the pressure, and I sat there thinking to myself; what pressure? Last I heard everything was fine, better than fine actually. Dad's team had just partnered with China to enhance their newest system (he told us it was top secret, and guaranteed to blow the mind of every single person on the planet), and were making plans as to when the big reveal should be announced.

            "Stepped down?" Terrance sputtered as I nodded numbly in agreement. That corporation was Dad's life's work. There was no way he'd step down without a fight.

            "There's no way," my brother added, voicing my thoughts. I nodded again as Gus, our chef, placed our usual breakfast in front of us. I only nibbled at my bagel as Terrance scarfed down his scrambled eggs and bacon.

            "Morning kiddos," Dad said as he entered the dining room, dressed in his favorite black suit and blue tie. He looked fine, happy even, like it was any other morning before work.

            He took his spot at the head of the table while Gus placed a plate with a poached egg, bacon and hash browns in front of him. Terrance and I glanced at each other before I slid the newspaper across the table and to our dad.

            "Um, Dad," I said and tapped the cover. "Can you explain this, please?"

            He glanced at it and nodded, as if confirming the journalist's words as he bit into his bacon. "Right. I was going to tell you both at dinner tonight, but I guess now is as good as ever." He shifted in his seat slightly and pressed his fingers together as he looked first at Terrance, and then at me. "We're moving."