While There Is Still Time

Breathing wasn’t getting heavier for Atlas anymore. He felt like it was stuck at a certain point of level. It was hard to breath-in than breathing out. It was like even the air in his lungs were decided to leave him and how much ever he fights with it, it was all for nothing. It wasn’t the tie or the black suit that he dressed for his father’s funeral caused him this.

“It’s the books” his father used to tell him.

“It’s the books that help us reach the freshest air on the other side of the world.”

“He always had wise word to share.” Atlas whispered to himself with an unintentional warm smile on his face.

Atlas hardly took another breath that helped him to manage his focus on other things like the coldness of the wooden chair that he was sitting on. That chair was not there before. That chair and the ones beside it. They were gathered into that room and lined up like a show was about to start or was about to end. His eyes wandered to the left side of the room, where the wall was full of books from ground to the ceiling. His head followed by with a delay.

After a brief while, Atlas started to hear a noise. A noise like someone was clapping from a distance or maybe the roof was leaking water and dripping on the floor repeatedly. Then noise get closer and he realized that it was a footstep of someone. Without looking at the door he knew who was there. While the sliding doors were opening, he breathed out and rolled his eyes in the air.

- Oh, hey kiddo. Didn’t know you were here. How are you?

- Hi uncle. I didn’t know you were here too. Didn’t see you at the funeral.

- Oh, yeah. Aah, you know your father’s death put us into a very tough position. You would be surprised to know the things that I have been dealing at the company.

- Well, I am already surprised to hear that you are actually doing something for the company.

Uncle knew that his level of IQ was not enough to compete with this 21-year-old kid. Hence, he did what he thought he is good at and changed the subject by acting like he didn’t hear what Atlas just said. Uncle walked towards to south corner of the room where the cellarette is located. After couple seconds of poking the cabinet he turned to Atlas and asked:

- Why did the maids lock it?

Atlas didn’t even answer. He turned his head to the south corner of the room, where his uncle was at and gave him a cold stare. He wanted to say more of course but instead of wasting his breath and telling his uncle that how useless, disrespectful or witless he is, he found it much more feasible to stay in quiet. He could have read a book or watched a documentary in the same time period and that would have been much more beneficial.

Another sound was coming from the distance. These were deep and determined steps. This almost reminded him his father’s approaching. For a moment his mind tricked him, or he wanted to be tricked by. He knew that his father was long gone. By the heel sound that echoed in the hallway, he knew that it was an expensive pair of shoes. “Must have been the lawyer.” Atlas said. Door opened and lawyer appeared.

He took a quick look at the room and continued to speak while he was walking towards to the desk that was prepared for him.

- Good afternoon gentlemen. Before I begin, I would like to give you my deepest condolences one more time.

Atlas came eye to eye with the lawyer and they simply nodded each other.

- “Now, when Mr. Cunnings arrives, we will start right away.” said lawyer.

- “Mr. Cunnings? Who is he? Why does he have to be here?” Atlas asked.

- “Atlas, Mr. Cunnings was your father’s business partner for the last 4 years. There are certain things that concerns him as well.”

- “My father had many business partners in his life. What would concern him to be here right now?”.

Lawyer removed his glasses, looked in the eye of Atlas and after a quick moment of silence he said “I am afraid many things, Atlas.”.

Right after the lawyer finished his sentence, Atlas started to hear loud pair of sound coming by. This one was different for sure. Other than being loud or scary, it sounded like the person was taking his time to walk around. Almost like he was enjoying the paintings in the hallway or checking the house like he was about to buy. Pair of sound ended right outside of the room. Sliding doors opened and lawyer said:

- Oh Mr. Cunnings, welcome. If you can take a seat, we will start right away.

Mr. Cunnings gave a look at Atlas and said:

- I thought this was going to be exclusive for the company’s board members.

Atlas was about to explode with fury but lawyer step in with a sudden reflex and said:

- Don’t worry Mr. Cunnings, it’ll be that way. Atlas and I will be talking in another room privately.

- What the heck is this supposed to mean? This is my house and I am not going anywhere.

Lawyer approached to Atlas:

- Young Atlas, I understand your anger but this is not the time. I will explain you everything If you can follow me to the room.

Atlas trusted the warmth in his eyes and stepped outside of the room. Mr. Cunnings was looking outside from the window with his hands on his back. His uncle was next to him, rubbing his hands together. Lawyer took his briefcase and closed the sliding doors.

Lawyer took Atlas to his father’s old study room. They both sit on the couch by the window.

- Atlas, you know when your mom, Clemence, passed away your father blamed himself for everything. For not being there when it happened, for not choosing the right chauffeur or maids who knew CPR, and for many other things. It wasn’t in his hands but he never accepted the fact. Since then, he tried to foresee everything to protect you. Two years ago, he saw something in the company books and did couple of changes. I don’t know what he saw or what he thought but he removed you from the company and every other asset that he owned. It also includes things like your cars, yacht and this mansion with all its belongings.

Atlas was not in the mood for talking financial issues but yet he found himself exactly in that situation instead of mourning. Now he got many questions in his mind but he had no strength to ask any of them. Lawyer continued:

- Your father left you something though.

He opened his briefcase and brought out a small black notebook. He also handed Atlas an envelope with his passport. In the envelope, there was a letter and a check of $20,000.00. Atlas opened the envelope and started to read.

“My son,

I wrote this letter with the wish of never giving it to you. It was just a precaution that I needed to take. I hope this never finds you or the time doesn’t catch us up unprepared. But in case it does, know that I always loved you. It might be too harsh for you to grasp what lawyer is telling you right now. Do not worry. Just leave everything behind. Soon, you will realize that they weren’t everything. Forget about where and what we lived with. Three of us lived in a harmony and joy. It was our happiness and memories that we build around the items. But it wasn’t because of them or for them. Leave the burden of the world on your shoulders. Everything you need is in your soul, in your mind, and in your blood. At the end everything is going to be okay. If it’s not okay now, don’t worry, it means it is not the end.”

Atlas took a deep breath. It didn’t feel that heavy anymore. He stood up and shook lawyer’s hand. When he was about to leave lawyer reminded:

- “Don’t forget your little black book!” with a bitter sweet victorious face.

Atlas picked up his book and put in his pocket. Then, he walked to his room and filled his old trekking backpack with stuff that he thought he might need. When he went down, he saw the cab was already there. He wasn’t the one who called it though. It must have been arranged for him. Looked at the cab and put a smile on his face. He started feeling more confident in each and every step. As soon as he got in the cab, driver asked:

- Where are we going sir?

It was a tough question for Atlas. He took a look around to get an inspiration. Then he remembered his little notebook, in his pocket. He picked it up and turned a random page. There were couple offshore account numbers listed under his name. He wanted to smile but his mourning was heavier. He responded back with a whisper:

- To the next chapter of my life. Just keep going…