Tangled Love

~ Chapter Six ~

~ The Following Wednesday ~

           Last week went by faster then I expected and today I’m flying to Vancouver. I really wanted to see Kelsey one more time before I left to go home but she wasn’t at the café this morning and Amanda said I had just missed her when I got there yesterday evening. I can’t believe I haven’t found the opportunity to speak with her. I’ve been trying for weeks now. I think I might just have to figure out her schedule when I get back. Classes start next week I will see if I can figure out her class schedule.

           I landed at PDX at 12:30 pm and was greeted by my buddy Kory. We go back since grade school, and I figured my father would be too busy to pick me up so sending his intern and my best friend would be the only logical option.

           “Hey man, look at you. It seems like it’s been forever. How long have you been gone now?” Kory said in a sarcastic but welcoming tone.

           “Three years, I’ve been at Cornell for three years. I’m glad I get to spend the last one with you. Are you sure you’re ready to transfer? Cornell’s school of Hotel Management is not as easy as I make it seem.” I said looking at him sincerely and he smiled.

           “I’m more than ready and this internship has given me the best opportunity to be ready. So, tell me about Cornell University. Are the women fine there?” Kory asked and I laughed.

           “You are already off on the wrong foot. You won’t have time for the women. You should prepare yourself to focus on your studies.” I said and laughed when he pouted.

           “Come on man, there has got to be some honey that has caught your attention.” He said looking at me sincerely.

           “Yeah, there is but I haven’t had the time or opportunity to approach her yet. I’m hoping when I get back this semester but like I said you won’t have time for women. The women at Cornell are just as serious about their education as we should be so don’t bank on meeting your future Mrs. there and if you do, you may not get the opportunity to date her until after graduation. I’m just saying. Keep your focus on the right things.” I said and he nodded but didn’t smile.

           “Alright, Alright, let me get you to your father we both know how impatient he could be.” Kory said and I placed my bag in the trunk as we jumped into his Spyder and headed to my father’s office.

           “Elias, welcome home son. How was your flight?” My father asked me as soon as I walked into his office.

           “The flight was cool, I booked a first class nonstop, so it wasn’t bumpy, and I slept the whole five hours.” I said smiling at my father.

           “Well, take a load off son. Let’s talk for a minute.” My father said pointing at the seat directly in front of his desk, so I did as I was told.

           “What’s going on dad?” I asked and he smiled.

           “Have you noticed that we haven’t disclosed the name of the new Hotel yet?” My father asked and I thought for a minute and realized that he hadn’t disclosed the name yet.

           “I didn’t notice but as I think about it you haven’t disclosed the name yet. Is that why you wanted me home? Do you want me to choose a name for you?” I asked and my father chuckled.

           “No, I have a name already, I just haven’t disclosed it yet. The board and I have decided to name the new boutique Hotel ‘Elias’ a new chain of upscale boutique Hotels within the Jordan Enterprise Brand. Consider it an early graduation gift. What do you think?” My father asked and I couldn’t hide my shock.

I was surprised, my father has never honored me in such a way, he barely claims me because he doesn’t want people to know who my mother was or what status she held when she was alive. She died from cancer when I was four years old, and my father raised me from that time. I assume at some point he loved her, but I can’t recall him ever saying anything nice about her and I was always with my nannies because he said the sight of me made him sad. Many people say that growing up I looked just like my mother but now that I am older, and a man people say I’m a carbon copy of my father. Over the years, our relationship has changed to what is it is now. I can tell that he loves me, and he knows that I respect him and the dynasty he is building, I love him also but it’s more of a reverence love than that of a son’s love for his father.

           “Elias, what do you think of the name, son?” My father asked me pulling me out of my thoughts.

           “Umm… I don’t know. I’m kind of surprised. But if you are sure about it. Who am I to have an opinion?” I said looking at him sincerely.

           “It’s your birth given name so your opinion matters. We can name it ‘Elias’, or if you are not comfortable with that we could go with ‘EJ’ or ‘Eli’, the point is it will be your chain, so it’s your call.” My father said looking at me with softened eyes and a genuine smile.

           “Can I have some time to think about it?” I asked and my father smiled and nodded his head.

           “You got to be starving. Let’s go grab some lunch.” My father said in an attempt to change the awkward silence in the room and we both stood to go to grab lunch.  

           “Where are we going for lunch?” I asked when I noticed us heading for the front entrance.

           “I figure you haven’t been home in a while, maybe we should go to your favorite place.” My father said with a smile, and I smiled back.

           “Slow Fox Chili?” I asked with a raised eyebrow and my father laughed.

           “The one and only.” He said as the valet attendant brought out his Tesla.

           “New car pop?” I asked and he smiled.

           “Yes, I needed something a little more efficient. Do you like it?” He asked looking at me for a response and I nodded.

           “Yes, it’s nice. I was looking at a Roadster back in New York but driving in New York is not an easy task so I’m going to wait until I come back home to get it.” I said and my father nodded.

           “Let me know if you need any help. I have a connection at the dealer already.” He said with a smile as we climbed into the car and took off towards Slow Fox Chili.

           When we arrived at the restaurant the first person, I recognized was my ex-girlfriend Vanessa at the hostess booth. Her eyes went wide when they landed on me. It had been four years since we last saw each other. She broke up with me for this guy name Ronnie Carlson. He was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers Basketball team the year before I graduated high school.

           “Hello Vanessa or is it Mrs. Carlson?” I asked looking at her with a smile.

           “Yes, it is Mrs. Carlson. How are you, Elias? What brings you to my restaurant?” She asked with a smile and raised eyebrow.

           “Oh, I didn’t know that you owned it, but Slow Fox Chili has been my favorite since I was a boy. My father use to bring me here twice a week.” I said and she smiled then nodded.

           “Janice, please sit Mr. & Mr. Jordan at a private table in the back. They are old friends of mines, please make sure their service is excellent.” Vanessa said and I smiled.

           “Right away, Mrs. Carlson. Follow me this way gentlemen.” Janice said with a smile and escorted us back to a private table.

           Dad and I both ordered an Arnold Palmer and bottle of water to drink, and I ordered my usual, Chili Mac and a Bootsy’s Chili Dog, while dad ordered the Mark’s Meatloaf Sandwich. The food was just as I had remembered and so delicious. It was definitely a great welcome home meal. We ate our food and had small talk in between bites. It was a great afternoon, something my father and I hadn’t shared together in years. This trip back home was off to a great start, and I was glad to be back home, even if it is only for a couple days.