Chapter 1 - The Call
The man stood at the floor-to-ceiling window, a glass of wine in hand, watching the glittering New York lights beneath him as dusk turned into darkness. His fifty-first-floor office had a beautiful view. But he was too exhausted to appreciate it after a long day where problem after problem kept cropping up. Dealing with them had sapped all his energy.
He turned back to look at the darkened room, at his desk with its silvery nameplate.
‘Jason D. Carvhal - Director’, it read.
It should have made him feel pride and maybe even arrogance. But all he felt was detachment and a mild sense of disgust. He sometimes wanted to give it all up and walk away. But he was trapped. He needed a substantial income to care for those he loved.
With a sigh, Jason walked back to read the last report before going home.
The phone rang, startling him. He tensed when he saw the caller ID. It was his father’s caregiver, Saravanan Anushanthan, or just Anush. Though he was a good man and an excellent caregiver, it couldn’t be anything good if he was calling him at this time of day. Jason forced himself to press the ‘Answer’ button despite his misgivings.
“Jason!” Anush’s anxious voice burst through the phone speakers. “Your father! He became very ill and has been admitted to the hospital. They said it was a serious myocardial infarction and are transferring him to the Presbyterian because they aren’t equipped to handle a major surgery on such short notice.”
Jason’s heart raced as he processed the news. “I’m on my way,” he replied, trying to steady his voice despite the panic rising within him. He grabbed his keys and rushed out the door, praying that he wasn’t too late.
“You need to get here as soon as possible. They…they aren’t sure he will make it,” Anush’s voice sounded strangled at the last sentence.
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