The thrill of victory! The elation of success after
finishing a hard day’s work. The sense of loss from the retirement of a good
friend from the office. These conflicting emotions surged through me as I approached
the office door with “Editor in Chief” marked on it with Gold Filigree
lettering. Patrick always did have a touch of class. My hand hesitated just
short of the door handle. I have walked through this door more times than I
could count while discharging my duties as Patrick’s Intern. Never did I have
pause to enter this room before, but here I stood and became lost in my thoughts.
I had worked hard for this day… to earn my place as an
Editor on the staff at Galaxy Gathering but I never in my wildest dreams did I
figure it would happen like this or at such a cost. I was still a little numb
from the shock of it all. Patrick calling me into this very office and telling
me he needed to retire from active military service and step down from running
G.G. What he did next just about stopped my heart in my chest. Everyone knew
Patrick had always sworn the day he left G.G he would stop the press and it
would be closed for good. To have him extend his hand towards me with the key to
his office and document transferring ownership of G.G into my name was a shock
to say the least. The honor I was just paid was beyond words.
My hand touches the door and pushed it open. Stepping
through into the room, my eyes seeing all the places where Patrick kept his mementos
now packed away and moved to his home. The lingering smells of tobacco from the
different brands of cigars Patrick, David and Ken smoked summoned to my mind visions
of late night staff meetings and times spent just hanging out talking and
joking. The ring-shaped stains on the empty desk speak to all the coffee and
alcohol needed to keep this enterprise running smoothly. I walk over to the
desk and run my hands across the oak feeling the history it has seen. The desk
key Patrick gave me fits the lock on the bottom drawer. I turn the key and open
the drawer to find a bottle of Scotch with a note that says “For when you need
a bigger hammer to solve your problems”. I reached into the drawer and removed the
bottle and the included glass. A twist of the wrist and the top is open. I
stood there breathing in the heady peat smell of the Scotch filling the room
from the open bottle while I close my eyes and smile one last time at the
ghosts of old memories. I open my eyes and pour a dram of fine Scotch in the
glass. I raise the glass in salute “To absent friends” lowering the glass to my
lips I enjoy the rich warmth rolling around my mouth. I set the glass down on
the desk and un-pack my portable computer and sit down in the chair. “I won’t
let you down Patrick. Thanks for the trust you have in me to look of all you
have built” I say as I reach for the glass for one more drink. I take a cigar out
of my pocket and light it. The fragrant aroma of the smoke blends with the
peat from the Scotch still coating my mouth. I power on my computer and rest my
fingers on the keyboard. It was now time to get to work.
Submitted By John Ringo #899287