Nonetheless It’s November

Goodness. Where has the year gone? Nonetheless it is November. I hope you’re ready to embrace November with all its wonder, festivities, and with a grateful heart. 

You can pick up on our story from last month, ABE, with Part 2 now. You won’t want to miss the changes in Bryan’s life, so read on.

A year later Bryan stood at the hospital nursery window look at a wrinkled little boy asleep in the crib. The card in front said Robert. Bryan smiled proudly and looked around the hall. ABE was there, just some ten feet away watching this proud moment. Bryan thought about chasing ABE, but that would look silly, especially since no one else could see him.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Two years passed and Cynthia was born. Bryan was getting used to having ABE at each of these special occasions. “Isn’t she cute?” Bryan said to ABE. Bryan felt embarrassed when a man next to him answered. “I think they’re all cute.”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

“Bryan,” his manager said, “You are the kind of person that will move this company forward. We are promoting you to vice president.” Bryan shook hands with his manager. A quick glance to see if ABE was in the room. He was. Bryan felt surprisingly comfortable. Maybe ABE was good luck to him.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

“Fore!” Bryan shouted as he sliced out onto the edge of the fairway. He knew it was one more weekend at the golf course but taking customers golfing was just a benefit of his new job. He would miss another week of going to church, and Bryan could count on one hand the times he’d been in church this year. He didn’t get to spend much time with the kids either but Bryan always rationalized that it was the price you have to pay if you want to live in a nice house, provide for your family, and drive a nice car.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Bryan sat at his desk staring at the latest production figures displayed on his monitor. The phone rang and the caller ID showed it was Julie.

“Hi, what’s up?”

“I have bad news, Bryan.”

“Ok.”

“Your mother has passed away.” There was a long pause as he tried to sort out what he had just heard.

“You ok?” Julie asked.

“Yes, I’m ok.” He looked at ABE who no sign of condolences. “I’ll be right home.”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Bryan sat next to Julie as they watched Robert walk across the stage to receive his engineering degree. Smiling on the outside, inside Bryan hurt because Robert had already accepted a job in Texas and was leaving tomorrow. He looked back in the auditorium at ABE who showed no emotion at the turmoil he felt.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Julie picked up the ringing phone. She smiled brightly to Bryan. “It’s a boy. They called him William.”

“So, now I’m a grandpa,” he said under his breath as he looked toward the ever-present ABE.

“I hope we can get together with them this Thanksgiving, but I’ve been so busy since the promoted me to Senior VP.”

“Well, you’ll just have to take the time off.” Julie frowned. “We need to get the family together. Cynthia is off to Hollywood. It won’t be long and she’ll get married and have a family. Maybe we can go to Texas and see the new grand baby.”

“It all seems to happen so fast.”

Bryan walked into the den and slumped into his overstuffed easy chair. He looked at ABE. “All these years, and I still don’t know who you are. Are you ever going to say anything? Oh, well, it doesn’t matter if you’re real or just an image I can’t get out of my head. You are apparently here to stay. Actually you have become a kind of friend. Wish you could say something. You know, another few years, and I’ll have to take retirement. I’ve reached the top, ABE but soon I’ll be over the hill as they say. Did God send you to watch me to see if I’m good? If so, I hope you give me a good recommendation.”

“Did you say something?” Julie asked as she came into the room.

“No, just talking to ABE.” He said with a smirk.

“Who?”

“No one. It’s just a yoke. It’s like Harvey. I talk to him when I need to talk with no one.”

“Well, tell whoever you say—ABE—we’ve got to get ready. We are having dinner at the Simpson’s tonight, and I can’t wait to tell them we’re grandparents.”
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Part 3 Continues Next Month