Worth A Thousand Words

Worth A Thousand Words

“Dawson Company. How may I direct your call?”

“Paul Carpenter,” a sympathetic voice implores into my headpiece.

“One moment,” I reply as I push the barely worn button to Paul’s cubicle.

I peer over my desk to watch Paul. I’ve noticed a change in his disposition ever since his wife left him three months ago, pregnant with someone else’s child. I never got the full story, but I know better than to pry when it comes to Paul.

I can feel my brow crease with concern as Paul runs a shaking hand through his thinning hair. He slowly removes his glasses and pinches the bridge of his nose. With a steady nod he hangs up the phone.

Paul gingerly replaces his glasses and picks up the picture on his desk. I instantly know which picture it is – the only picture. The one of Paul standing with his daughter on her graduation, dressed in her uniform, standing next to her country’s flag. His daughter smiles so brightly she almost outshines the grimace in Paul’s eyes – the desperate twinkle imploring her to reconsider, to choose a different life path.

Paul turns the picture face down on his desk before slowly standing up. Ever so methodically he put his coat on and heads towards my desk for the door.

“Going to lunch Mr. Carpenter?”

“No, Stacy,” his voice cracks on my name. “I’m going home… not feeling well…”

He trails off as his feet lead him out the door.