Xander exited Russell’s office less than an hour after he arrived. They had a very interesting meeting that made Xander feel so much better moving forward. He really seemed to click with this lawyer, which is why he didn’t hesitate to write the man a mammoth cheque to retain him and his firm for their services. Xander didn’t know if he was really going to need to spend that much on this case, but anything that was left over could be used for future representation should he ever need their help again. He also wanted to make a statement with that cheque, let Russell know how serious he was about defending his good name. He’d rather pay a fortune to his lawyers than give a single cent to the liar that was making these outrageous accusations. There would be no doubt in Russell’s mind, Xander was ready to fight. He remained quiet while Russell kept talking as they walked back to the lobby, and he could also see people looking at them as they passed by. It was something that Xander had gotten used to over the years, but today it got to him probably for different reasons. They knew he was there for legal reasons, not to get sushi. He felt a little embarrassed, but that was nothing compared to how he’d feel if this all went south. That would be infinitely worse. Russell hit the button on the elevator for him.
“You’re serious?” Xander asked, as he calmly waited. “You want me to go back to work?”
“As serious as Rush Limbaugh at a buffet,” Russell answered, “If anyone asks, tell them you just needed a little air to clear your head, but you’re feeling better and ready to get back to work. The last thing you need is your stocks to take a dip because of what happened this morning.”
“Alright,” Xander said, “But I already had my secretary cancel my appointments for the day.”
“Don’t worry about that,” Russell replied, “I don’t care what you do; play solitaire or read a good book for all I care. Just do it calmly, and let people see you back at your post and cool as cucumber. We clear?”
“Yes, we are.” Xander said as he shook Russell’s hand again. “Thank you for your time and your help.”
“I’ll contact you when I learn anything,” Russell said, as the elevator door finally opened. “But chances are you probably won’t hear from me until tomorrow at the earliest. It’s going to take some time to get in touch with our sources and get a pulse of what’s going on.”
“Fair enough,” Xander said, entering the elevator. “I’ll do my best to stay out of trouble.”
“That’s all I ask,” Russell said, “Just make an effort and watch your step!”
After the doors closed, there was an awkward silence in the elevator as it took Xander right back to the main floor. He knew in order for things to get better, he would have to trust the man he just hired to save him. Give the man time to do his work and then decide if this was the right course of action. Xander quickly left the building after he returned to the main floor and while he was tempted to hail a cab, there was really no emergency. All his appointments were cancelled, so there was plenty of time to walk back and maybe get another snack as he doubled back. As he was walking back, even he was surprised to see how heavy traffic was despite it being midday. It wasn’t even rush hour and they were bumper to bumper at some parts. Xander was standing at the light, waiting to cross when he noticed something out of the corner of his eye. Behind him there was a young boy that was about run right past him and into the street. Xander was standing there because the light was red, and the boy was about the run into oncoming traffic.
“Nathan!” a woman cried out as loudly as she could, “Stop!”
Just as the kid was about to pass by him, Xander could there was a bus heading for the same spot but the kid was to short to spot because of the heavy traffic. Rather than stand around, Xander sprang into action and reached out. He was able to wrap his right arm around the young man’s torso and pull him back just as the massive bus passed by, missing them both by inches. Xander dragged the kid back to the sidewalk just in time as the woman that cried out arrived with a stroller that had another child in it. She look terribly upset and flushed red.
“Oh my gaud!” She cried out, “Nathan Janssen! You almost got hit by a bus!”
“Sorry Lauren,” the young man replied, “I didn’t see it.”
“You didn’t see the red light either!” The lady scolded him. “How many times did I tell you to always look before crossing any road?”
“Hey, take it easy.” Xander said, as he got back up to his feet. “No one was hurt, so no harm no foul. After that scare, I doubt he’s ever going to forget how dangerous a busy road can get.”
“No, Sir.” The young man confirmed. Watching the bus whiz by had indeed scared him a great deal. “I was just trying to get Alexia’s dolly.”
“Dolly’s can be replaced,” Xander said, taking the lady’s side. “You cannot.”
“Understood,” Nathan said, looking rather rattled. “I’m sorry.”
“Stand right here with your sister,” Lauren ordered, “I’ll get the dolly.”
“I got it,” Xander offered, “I can see it.”
Xander waited for the light to change, and when the lights said he could walk, Xander strolled over to the middle of the road, picked up the dolly that had been run over a few times, and walked back to where everyone was.
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“It’s a little damaged,” Xander said as he handed it to the lady, and looked down at the young girl. “Accidents happen, and we can always buy another.”
“No we can’t,” the lady watching the kids corrected him, “Do you have any idea how much this thing costs?”
Xander honestly didn’t care if the thing cost a million, he was too busy looking at the stunning woman lecture him about the market value of a doll. All he could think about was how beautiful the young woman looked, even when she was angry.
“I don’t have kids, so probably not.” Xander confessed.
“More than what I make in a week.” Lauren answered.
Xander looked at the doll, “Seriously?”
“Yes, seriously!” Lauren confirmed, “Sorry Alexia.”
Xander watched as the young girl in the stroller took her Dolly back and didn’t seem bothered by its condition and was just happy to see it again.
“All is well again,” Xander said.
“Thankfully,” Lauren said, trying to calm herself. “That was a near miss I don’t want to relive anytime soon.”
“Are you alright?” Xander asked her.
“I will be,” Lauren said, sighing deeply. “Thank you.”
“I don’t mean to be pushy,” Xander said, trying to be friendly. “Would you like some company while walking to your next destination?”
“Don’t you have someplace to be?” Lauren counter with her own question.
Xander did have somewhere to be, but at that moment he couldn’t remember where. All of a sudden everything he was freaking out about that morning really didn’t seem to matter to him anymore. His brush with near death made what he was so upset about at the office early that pale in comparison. Xander suddenly felt rather embarrassed to even consider giving an honest answer.
“It can wait,” Xander said, “Where are you guys heading?”
“Out for lunch,” Nathan answered, “We were at the gallery and now we’re going to get something a the deli for a picnic at the park.”
“At the gallery?” Xander repeated, “You mean the big one around the corner from here?”
“The very same,” Lauren said, “Thank you for saving Nathan’s life and probably my job too.”
“Your job?” Xander repeated, “These aren’t your kids?”
“He’s our nanny genius,” Nathan answered, “She’s too young to be our mom.”
“You’re right, she is too young.” Xander said, amused by the conversation.
“I’m Lauren,” she said, shaking Xander’s hand.
“Xander. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Xander said, “Can I walk you guys to the deli just to make sure everyone makes it in one piece?”
“Alright,” Lauren said, as she didn’t want to appear ungrateful. He looked rather cute as well. Considering the disaster they just avoided, she was considering buying the brave man something for his heroic efforts. “Follow us, Xander.”
Xander didn’t get to close and followed as Lauren walked them towards where they wanted to pick up their lunch, but there was a massive lineup that went right out the door. Lauren and the kids looked a little disappointed. Xander could see how they were feeling and decided to do something about it.
“Tell me what you want, and I’ll get it for you.” Xander offered.
“You’re going to skip the line?” Lauren asked.
“Maybe,” Xander said, smiling slyly. “Would you prefer to wait?”
“No,” Lauren confessed, it was going to take at least forty minutes to wait. “Maybe we should go somewhere else.”
“Give me a chance first,” Xander pleaded, “Tell me what you want and I’ll get it.”
Lauren wrote down her order on a piece of paper from her day book and ripped the page out before handing it to Xander.
“Good luck,” Lauren said, confident that Xander might get his ass kicked for budding. She was afraid that some people in their city wouldn’t let that slide.
“I’ll be right back,” Xander said as he started to walk past that line and enter the small deli shop that everyone was waiting to get into.
“Excuse me,” Xander said as he walked up to the counter, “Can I speak with the manager?”
As he stood there waiting, he could tell that everyone was looking at him and knew exactly why they were. He wouldn’t like it if some young dude was trying to bud and delay them from getting their order. Xander thought about it, and an idea came to him as he was waiting.
“Don’t even think about it,” one of the men in line said, “I’ve been waiting to order for over thirty minutes.”
“That’s unfortunate,” Xander said, “I’ll take care of it.”
“Wait, what?” The man said, confused.
Before they could say more the manager showed up.
“Listen,” The manager started, as if he could read Xander’s mind. “I don’t know what’s going on but I make no exceptions for people trying to skip the line.”
“Not even for bribery?” Xander asked.
“I’m too honorable for that.” The manager replied.
“You hear that,” the man who talker earlier said, “He’s too honorable. Get to the back of the line, kid.”
“Settle down, Gary.” The manger said, “I got this.”
“Tell you what, Gary.” Xander started, “Let me skip the line, and lunch is on me.”
Gary looked back at Xander. “Are you serious?”
“I am,” Xander said, “Order whatever you want. I’m buying.”
“What about me?” the man behind Gary said.
“Sure,” Xander said, smiling at him. “Same goes for anyone else in line. Let me order before you, and everyone gets a free lunch.”
“Hey, you can’t say that.” The manager said, afraid it might be a scam to bud.
“How much does your place make in an average lunch rush?” Xander asked, turning back to look at the manager.
“Thousands,” The manager replied, “The best day we had this month was four and a half.”
“Alright, forty-five hundred it is.” Xander said as he took out his wallet and pulled out a rather fancy looking card. “Do you take Visa?”
The manger took a deep gulp as he could tell Xander was serious. “Sure.”
“Process it first,” Xander told him, “And then you can take my order. Everyone else in line is on me, and you can keep the change.”
“What if it’s not enough?” The manager asked, and it was a fair question.
“Then you can bill me,” Xander said, handing him a business card. The manager took one look at the card and then back up at the kid. “Are we good?”
“The initial amount should be enough,” The manager said, handing the business card back. “It’s been a rather slow day today.”
“Fair enough,” Xander said, looking back at Gary, “Anything you guys want, Gary. As they would say at the bar, first round is on me!”
Everyone in the room erupted into cheer upon hearing the news that lunch was going to be free.
“Alright, it cleared.” The manager asked. “What’s your order?”
Xander passed him the piece of paper Lauren had given him, and pointed to one of the items on the list. “I’d also like two of these, please.”
“Alright, Mr. Hopkins.” The manager said, “I’ll be right back with your order.”
“Thank you,” Xander said.
About ten minutes later Xander emerged from the deli with a bag containing the order that Lauren had asked him to procure. Xander was rather amused by the look on her face as he walked up.
“We’re all set,” Xander said with a grin, “So which park are we taking this to?”