Sevs walked in a daze to the cafeteria through the rain. Luckily it seems that Father was also lost in thought. They drew a few smiles and waves as others were getting ready for lunch and going to the food court.

A man Sevs didn’t recognize fell into step with them as they were halfway to their destination.

“Hey, Markus!” Father said with genuine warmth as he reached over to shake his hand. He continued, “This is my son Sevs. Apparently, he's just too smart for preschool.” As he reached down to ruffle Sevs's hair.

“Sevs, this is Markus. We used to work together for a while.”

“Before you became one of those big wigs, you mean,” Markus said with a teasing grin. “Your father was always wasted with us code monkeys, too much talent for people.”

“So you say, Markus. But I could never do what you do. Left me in the dust at every turn.” To Sevs, he staged-whispered. “He was my right-hand man. But mostly just the fall guy.”

Father chuckled as he dodged an elbow to the ribs. Markus reached over and offered Sevs his hand to shake. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Sevs. How do you feel about Indian food?”

Sevs shrugged. “I don’t mind it. My taste buds can’t take very spicy food yet, but I am sure I can find something.”

Markus gave Father what was now a familiar look to Sevs, but one he had gotten used to while interacting with adults in a child's form. However, when he spoke, he kept any note of surprise from his voice. “Well, why don’t you two join me for lunch. A new place opened up just down the street. I have heard a few good things about it.”

“If you listen to anything Markus says, listen to his food recommendations.” Father’s hand snapped out to tap Markus on the gut. “It’s his favorite pastime. Though you look smaller since I saw you last month.”

Markus grunted. “Yeah, the Mrs. has been on a crusade.”

He paused and looked uncharacteristically sad. He leaned a little towards Sevs’ Father and spoke softly. “When is the funeral? I would like to pay my respects.”

Father maintained his usual stoic demeanor while answering. “We don’t have a date yet, but likely sometime the week after next.”

Markus nodded. With a slight, full-bodied shake, he clasped Father on the shoulder and squeezed reassuringly. He then indicated the diversion in the path to the cafeteria, and they started walking that way in silence.

Silence didn’t seem to suit Markus as a person. After about a minute or two, he started telling them about something that had happened to him earlier in the week at work. Markus was a good storyteller. He was able to keep it interesting. It didn’t sound like whining, nor was he bragging. He also avoided being so self-deprecating that it wasn’t funny and made you feel bad for the person in question.

Markus regaled them with a story about some mishap and breakdown in communication. That resulted in the creation of a program that actively threw away any useful information. As they walked, Sevs and Father started to lighten up. Soon were laughing along.

Sevs had never really heard Father laugh like this before. It was a real full-bodied laugh that seemed to come from deep down. Previously at home, it was normally some chuckle or a soft thing, but this was much more real.

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This continued until they reached the restaurant, sat down, and received menus. As the waiter walked away, Markus reached out and snatched both Father’s and Sevs’ menus out of their hands. “Indian food is best-served family style, and as long as you eat with me, I am ordering.”

Father had clearly expected this and hadn't even looked at the tri-fold menu yet. “Only if you honor the other half of our usual deal. I get to pay.”

“Of course! Why do you think I like eating with you?” Markus asked.

“Well we haven’t eaten together for a while, so clearly my wallet isn’t worth that much to you.”

***

Lunch passed pleasantly. Markus shone as he picked several dishes they all shared and mostly enjoyed. Sevs appreciated many of the dishes, especially the naan, but all kids love bread, he thought. Sevs was a bit put out that he couldn’t handle spicy food yet, but his enjoyment of the more simple dishes was that of a child again. Thinking back, how much more had he enjoyed dino-chicken nuggets as a child than later, when his tastes had become more complex.

As they enjoyed the food, all three of them talked. Markus was still getting used to Sevs joining the adult conversations. Despite his surprise, he did an admirable job of treating him as an equal. They mostly avoided talking about work.

They started off talking about nothing important. The weather, sports, that sort of thing. That lasted until the food arrived. After that, it was quiet for a while as they just enjoyed the food in companionable silence. During the lull in the feast, while everyone was filling their plates again, Sevs spoke up.

“Markus, do you like your work?”

“Hmmm, yeah I do actually I get a certain amount of satisfaction when figuring out a problem. Also, when I'm not focusing on something my mind tends to flounder. It’s best if I have something to do.”

“What about you, Father?”

“Yes, Sevs, I like my work a lot. Originally I took the position to give you and your mother a better life. However, as I have learned more, I found I much prefer helping people get their jobs done.”

“Did you like your old position when you worked with Markus?”

Markus cut in. “I don’t think I had ever met someone more talented than your father. Except for me, of course. Why we could get lost in a complex problem for hours -”

Father interrupted him in turn. “Being good at something isn’t the same as liking it. While yes I enjoyed what I did. I didn’t enjoy what I had to give up to do it. The strain working too much can put on your relationships is not to be ignored. I wanted to be there for you and your mother more than I wanted to work. Now I can say it was really the right choice for many reasons.”

Markus made a move as if to say more, but Father made a gesture, and his mouth snapped shut. “Some of us who don’t have a family might not understand.”

Markus nodded, “I suppose you are right. Still miss some of those times we had though.”

***

As they were leaving the restaurant. Sevs spoke up again. “Is it alright if I come again tomorrow, Father?”

Father paused for a second. “Probably not tomorrow. I have a long meeting that I won’t be able to slip you in. As much as I trust you I still can’t have a kid running around the office unattended.”

Sevs nodded sadly.

Markus coughed, “I might be able to help. You can send the little man down my way for a while.”

Father looked over to Markus, who had a slight look of embarrassment on his face. “I thought you didn’t really like kids.”

“Well if I had known they could have turned out like yours, I might have had a few myself.”