Keeping Kama

Chapter 17

Derek pulled his borrowed coat tight against his body, crossing his arms. He tried not to shiver as Steven cranked up the heat in his luxury sedan. Yesterday, Derek had met with Steven and the rest of his employees in the office in downtown Boston. But today, he was headed with Steven out to the cranberry bog on Cape Cod.

Rubbing his hands together, Derek attempted to get some feeling back into his fingertips. “How often do you visit the cranberry bog to check in with the employees there?”

After their car pulled out of the parking garage, Steven turned onto the street. “I try to visit twice a month. During the harvest season, I stay up there in my cottage on the weekends.”

“I see,” replied Derek. After reviewing the business records, Derek believed they simply needed investment money to upgrade their equipment to maintain efficiency. Equipment was expensive, but Derek believed they could come up with a deal that would ensure the business received the equipment they needed while giving Derek and Tyson a nice return on their investment. “I’ll hold my feedback until after I take a tour of the cranberry bog acreage.”

“I’m sure you’ll have plenty to say.” Steven entered the interstate. “When I took over as CEO, I made a lot of changes too. But it wasn’t enough. The family who owns the business has very particular opinions on how things are done.” This wasn’t news to Derek. He had done his research. From the articles he read online, Steven was named CEO three years ago, though he wasn’t related to the people who owned the cranberry bog. Steven shrugged, gripping the steering wheel with both hands. “But maybe they’ll listen to you.”

Staring out the windshield, Derek remarked on how the Boston interstate could challenge any freeway in Los Angeles. “I think they won’t have a choice. If they don’t upgrade their equipment, they’ll only continue to waste time and money on the inefficiency.” Steven swerved across three lanes of traffic without pausing. Derek gripped the handle above his door. “Are you trying to get us killed?” Turning wide-eyed to face Steven, his heartbeat rapidly increased.

Steven chuckled and replied, “Is this the first time you’ve driven anywhere in Boston?”

“I’ve been here before, but I’ve always stuck to public transportation. This is something else,” said Derek.

“I promise, this is how everyone drives.” Steven honked loudly at a car who cut him off. “You’re getting the real Boston experience, but I’ll make sure we get there and back safely,” said Steven.

Steven then changed lanes, holding down his horn again. Derek flinched from the sound and prayed he made it to the Cape in one piece. His phone vibrated in his pocket, temporarily distracting him from his fear of crashing on the interstate. Pulling it out of his pocket, a message from Leia flashed across his screen.

Any interest in running the Honolulu marathon with me? You still have time to train.

A smile slowly grew across his face. Derek shifted in his seat. Scratching his head, he wondered if he really had the ability to get himself in shape in the limited time he had before the marathon. Either way, he didn’t care. He’d walk the thing if it meant Leia was inviting him to visit. Swiftly, his fingers moved across his phone.

One hundred percent. I’ll be there.

I’ll send you a running schedule. You only have eight weeks, which isn’t ideal, but I still think you can do it.

You underestimate my natural athleticism. I’m up to running ten miles. I know I can do it.

Just like your surfing.

I would smugly challenge you, but I know you’re a way better runner than me.

Say that again … for those in the back.

LEIA IS A BETTER RUNNER THAN ME.

See that wasn’t so hard.

Not hard at all. Oh … whoops I just remembered I said I’d run a marathon in eight weeks.

That you did. Call me tonight. I want to talk.

I will. Bye.

With a wistful sigh, Derek slid his phone back into his pocket.

Steven gave him a sideways glance. “Was that your significant other? I’ve been around too long to know that wasn’t a business message.”

“It’s someone I’m hopeful about,” replied Derek. Then as a second thought, he continued, “But she lives in Hawaii.”

“And you live in Los Angeles,” added Steven. Derek gave a quick nod but didn’t say anything else. After a few seconds, Steven added, “and your job requires you to travel a lot.”

The traffic eased as they drove further from Boston toward the Cape. Derek’s shoulders loosened a tad. “I know. It’s not exactly a big selling feature when it comes to trying to convince a woman to be in a relationship with me,” replied Derek.

“I see …” Steven changed lanes then put the car on cruise control. “I don’t know much about love. I was married once. It didn’t stick. But if I found someone who I clicked with again, I’d do things differently. I’d find a way to make it work.”

Staring out the passenger window, Derek watched as they buzzed past beautiful foliage. Trees painted with the brightest colors of fall; orange, red and yellow, lined both sides of the interstate.

“Ok,” said Derek.

Derek had zero interest in getting personal with a guy he barely met. So, Derek changed the subject back to business, asking additional questions about the processing part of the cranberries. The subject of him and his relationship troubles was dropped.

Later in the evening, after the tour of the cranberry bogs and farm, Derek returned to his hotel room exhausted and depleted. Loneliness enveloped him, as he set down his take-out meal on the small desk. With the time difference, Derek knew Leia was at her teaching job. He couldn’t call her for at least a few more hours.

Instead, he decided to call Tyson to go over his assessment of the cranberry business.

Tyson picked up on the third ring. “Hey, Derek.” He didn’t pause but hurried forward. “I’m looking at the assessment you emailed over. This is looking good and pointing toward a sound investment for the company.”

Putting his phone in the crook of his neck, Derek pulled out his to-go pasta from the bag. “I think this is a straightforward investment, and we should be able to see a quick return. I believe you’ll find the same thing after going over the numbers I sent you.” Derek sat down at the desk in his hotel room.

“I agree, and I’m glad we’re on the same page. You shouldn’t have to stay much longer. I bet you could finish up the loose ends tomorrow. I’ll have the contract drafted up and sent over to you tonight,” said Tyson.

“Excellent.” Derek rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t want to stay in Boston any longer than I need to.”

“So, about what we discussed earlier about your traveling—” said Tyson.

“I want to relocate to Hawaii,” Derek sputtered out. “There’s nothing holding me in Los Angeles anymore. I need a change.”

“But you have a home in Los Angeles. You only bought it a few years ago,” replied Tyson.

“I know, and I’m not going to sell it right now. I think I’ll rent it out, and I’ll find a furnished apartment to rent in Hawaii. Maybe something that is a short-term lease,” said Derek.

As the words spilled out of him, Derek’s back straightened. He had a plan. One which got him closer to Leia, without completely throwing away everything he’d built. If things didn’t work out with Leia, he could always return to Los Angeles in a few months, and he’d still have his home waiting for him.

“That’s a huge move. Are you sure you’ve thought this thing through? Last I knew, Leia wasn’t even talking to you.” asked Tyson.

“She just asked me today to run the Honolulu marathon with her. So, no I don’t think this is one sided,” said Derek.

“But a marathon where you go visit for the weekend is very different from you rewriting your entire life to move there,” said Tyson.

“I know, but Tyson you have a family. You have a wife and kids. We live twenty minutes away from each other, and we used to work together in person all the time, now we never see each other. I’m grateful for the upgrades in technology that allow us to meet over video conferencing, and it’s time I took more advantage of it. This is my chance to possibly be in a relationship, so I must try. If I don’t, I believe it will be the biggest regret of my life,” said Derek.

“If this is your chance, then you’ve got to take it. You’ve my support,” said Tyson. He cleared his throat. “I mean don’t get me wrong, I think you’ve completely lost it. But I understand why you want to take a risk. The heart wants what it wants. I know that was how it was with me and my wife.”

“Thanks, Tyson,” said Derek.

“Okay, we’ll talk soon,” said Tyson.

Derek ended the call. His shoulders instantly felt lighter than before. He had a plan, one which would allow Leia and him the needed time to see if this thing between them could work.