Dada: Chapter Four

  I still can't believe it.  Here I am, walking out of the courthouse with a teenager who is probably my half-brother, with nothing more than a few preliminary DNA tests and a half hour of paperwork.  It just doesn't make any sense.  Shouldn't there be something more to be done than this?   I mean, I am taking care of another human being here.  There has to be more to all of this that I am just not getting.
   "This is surreal." Sam mumbles as we walk back to my car.
   "It sure is." I respond.  When did 'surreal' become a word teens use?  I thought I knew pop culture trends.
    "Anyway, do you need to eat anything?  If you do, we can stop somewhere before I check in a work.  I already told them I would be late, so a few extra minutes won't hurt."
   "No thank you.  The hotel had a breakfast for me."  Sam's voice ticked up a little at the end.  I can see why he keeps quiet so much.
   "Did you have anyone stay with you?  Do I have to pay anything for you?"
   "No, I don't think so.  The worker was supposed to stay with me, but he had to go back to New York.  They didn't have anyone here who could stay with me, so I was basically alone last night."
   "Okay.  Let's get to my work then."  I quickly fill the silence that the unasked question of how he spent the night left.  I unlock the door.
   "You best take of the jacket and tie.  It's going to be too hot today to be wearing that, especially with it not fitting you.  As for the tie, I know its hiding your missing button, but I never could get the hang of tying a tie on someone else.   I could put around my neck and transfer it, but I still don't think it will look that good on you.   You might want to take your shoes off while we're in the car.  Your feet will thank you. "
   He takes off his jacket, the sleeves already coming undone at the shoulders.  A black belt falls from the pocket.  I guess it was too small for him as well.  The tie lands on top of it, as he tightens his seat belt.
  "Don't you have anything else that fit?"  I ask as I start the car.
  "I don't think so.  I just got this suit at Christmas.  It was a little big then.  Still big at Easter.  Didn't start growing until after my birthday last month."  he gushed.
  "So, when's your birthday?  Do you know how tall your were then?"  Both questions seemed reasonable.
   "April 25.  I think I was just over five feet tall." 
  "Five feet!  You've grown over six inches in just a few weeks.  Dang, that's a lot.  After we leave work, we are going to have to get you some new clothes."  I had to blurt out.
  I never grew that fast when I was his age.  I don't think any of my classmates grew that fast, either.  Of course, most of them got their growth spurts over the summer, before I could see them change.  Still, that was a lot.   This guy is going to be huge.
  "Is that where you work?"  Sam suddenly started talking again.
  "Yep.  Welcome to Blue Homestead Publishing."
   The Hemphills wanted their building to look sort of like My Old Kentucky Home, with varying results.  The entire facade was done it white, with uniform lines made to look like paneling all along the side.  The windows had blue trim around them so they would like house windows, down to blue blinds inside to give the impression of shutters.  Even the thin awning along the roof was blue, with more lines to make it look like shingles. 
   The parking lot was more like a courtyard then anything else.  Trees lined both sides, providing shade for the cars that were parked there.  Another line of trees were in a path down the middle, giving even more shade. With a southwest orientation, most of the spots got great afternoon shade.  All of those had been take, leaving me with one of few to get full sun all day.  Well, I won't be staying too long today.   The executive lot in the back got shade all day long, but I don't have the privilege of parking there.
   Sam put his shoes back on, as we started the walk to the front entry.  It has a small roof over it, trying to make it look like a porch, and failing at it.  At least it is cover for bad weather.  Neither of us talk.
   "Hi, Leigh.  Is Bennie still in?" I ask the receptionist.
   "Maybe.  One minute please." Leigh was talking to someone on the phone.
   "Alright, then.  We'll go up to see him.
   The elevator quickly opened, empty.  We silently stepped in.  Homestead has two floors. plus an underground storage space.  Also, a storm shelter.  The delivery ramp is right under the editing pool.  You can usually hear and feel when the trucks come in.  We don't have a printing press on site.  We go third party for that.
   Pfft!
  "Excuse me."  Sam whispered, breaking the silence.  Then he broke wind again just before the doors open.  "Where is the restroom?"
   "Just take a left.  You can meet me in the break room just down the hall from it.  Just stay there and wait for me.  Oh, make sure you use the right door when you leave the men's room.  It has two."  I warn him as he gets ahead of me.
   I don't think I would ever have been as courteous as him when I was his age.  Of course, I rarely got to use elevators back then, and I was usually with many other people.  Still, I don't think I ever did something like that.  Probably.
    I walk around the center rooms to reach Bennie's on the main back hallway.  Vince, his assistant wasn't at the front desk, but the door to the private office was open.  I felt that I should just go in, as Bennie prefers it that way.
  "Bennie, I am here for the meeting you wanted." I said to Bennie, as he was sitting behind his desk.
  "Look who decided to finally make an appearance.  Possibly your last."
   Only one person could match that icy drip of a voice.  Sitting to the left, behind the door, was Mrs. Anita Hemphill.  I was in trouble.