xp_logs | Reconnecting; Hope and her father

Hope and her father share a meal and reconnect.

"Father, it's good to see you again." Hope smiled widely as she greeted her father, impeccably dressed in a emerald green blouse, black midi pencil skirt and heels. A pair of her new collection of earrings dangled from her ears. "A little surprised you picked an Indian restaurant though."

"It's very good to see you as well," he replied, giving her a hug and a peck on the cheek before pulling his daughter's chair out for her. "It's not often that I stray from my normal haunts, I know, but I wanted to try something different for a change." He gave her a small smile. "How have you been?"

"I have been well. Glad that my finals are done though. They were challenging." Hope replied as her father took his own seat. "How is everything in Michigan?"

"As well as can be expected, I suppose," he answered. "Your mother sends her best, of course." Jason flipped open the menu and began perusing it as he continued. "Hmm, is there anything you'd recommend, dear?"

"It depends on how spicy you wish to go. If you want to go with a mild dish, I love the chicken korma. If you do like spicy, I have tried the vindaloo and that tasted quite nice as well. But... that does not sounds overly enthusiastic, father." Hope commented, taking in the frown and the small stress lines besides his eyes that had appeared. "Something going on at Regal Crest?"

"It's just a tad frustrating, that's all," he said with a sigh. "The company says it listens to and appreciates all input but some days I wonder why I bother, to be quite honest." Jason shrugged. "But I'm sure you don't want to hear the ramblings of an old white collar worker, now, do you?" He put on a smile for his daughter as he put his menu down, ready to order.

"But you are not just any old white collar worker, aren't you?" Hope put her own menu down as well. "You are the CFO. That must mean something?" She paused her words as the server came over and she ordered a chicken biryani with some raita on the side. "Has it always been this way or just since the new CEO?" At her father's surprised looked, she added: "I do read the business section of the news paper, father."

"It's gotten worse since the change, though elements of it have been there for a while, I suppose," he conceded after placing his own order. "I am glad to hear that you keep up with this sort of thing, however." He smiled, which slipped a little as he thought back on business quietly before taking a sip of water.

"There was a time when you would have something very different about me reading the business section of the newspaper." Hope observed with a tiny smile, leaving her father's work be for the moment.

"Yes, that is true, but people can change sometimes, I suppose." Jason's smile returned again as he took his napkin and unfolded it onto his lap. "It will be all right, don't worry yourself about it, dear."

"I think both of us prove that a lot of change is possible, father." Hope stated quietly. "I just wish... I wish mother could be happy for me as well. I know she was somewhat pleased when I was admitted to Barnard, but I do think a political science major was not quite what she had in mind for. She mentioned she was hoping I would select one of the languages... or maybe something like art history or early childhood education."

"You know your mother, Hope." He reached out and put a hand on top of hers, squeezing it a little. "She is happy for you, in her own way, which... is certainly her own and hers alone, I suppose. You will do well with whatever you choose to do, I know that, and so does she deep inside. We're both very proud of you, dear."

"I am really glad to hear that, father. I had been a little worried about mother's reaction, even though I would have drawn my own path, no matter what." She fell silent various dishes were being brought over and quietly placed on the table. When done, Hope thanked the server quietly and cast around for a quick subject. "How is Mr. Webb doing? I did send him a card to wish him a speedy recovery."

"He's well, as well as can be expected, at any rate. He should be back soon, at least in a partial capacity, and will take back some of his duties when he does so, thankfully." Jason had been handling his fair share of the sick COO's tasks while he was recovering from heart surgery, which wasn't exactly helping with the whole overworked and underappreciated feeling. "I'm sure he appreciates your well wishes, Hope."

"Maybe they should have made you CEO and not Mr. Murray." Hope commented with a wink. "He does not seem to have been a very good fit from what I am hearing, though maybe he just needs a little more time?"

"Perhaps, we shall see in time I suppose." He did not want to speak too openly about such things as ousting the CEO, not even with his daughter, but if things kept going the way they were going then things would have to change, and he'd be ready to assist in any way that he could. "But for now at least I can enjoy a wonderful meal with my beautiful daughter, yes?"

"Of course, father." Hope turned switched tracks easily as she asked: "I happen to have two tickets to a small classical concert tomorrow night I received from an acquaintance of mine. Would you like to join me?"

"That sounds like a lovely idea, I'd be glad to accompany you." Jason raised his glass in salute to his daughter. "Here's to a great meal and a great evening tomorrow. And to a great daughter, of course."

"Father, that is enough compliments. You are almost making me blush." Hope demurred even as she lifted her own glass. "I was wondering though... this is the second time in as many months you have been in New York. Do you think this will happen more often? I would enjoy seeing you more often."

"I believe it may, actually. Covering Mr. Webb's duties gives me an excuse to come out here every now and then, which is one upside to that at least." While assuming extra duties wasn't always a good thing, at least he'd be able to spend more time with his daughter.

Hope smiled. "I am glad. I look forward to it." She took a few bites, before asking. "We never really had much of a chance to do this before, but would you like to visit the mansion and meet some of my friends sometimes? I would like to show you something of my life here in New York."

"That would be nice, if they would have me." If he was being honest it probably wasn't something Jason would have ever asked to do, but it clearly meant so much to his daughter so he would make the effort.

"You would be welcome, father, even if people would be a little surprised." Hope hesitated before adding, detecting his discomfort. "But if it makes you uneasy, father... you don't have to come. Or come immediately... We can meet in the city for now."

"I'll leave it to you to decide, dear," Jason replied. "Why don't you speak with your teachers and see how that'd go over, and the next time we meet we can make plans from there, perhaps?"

"Alright." She nodded. "That sounds like a solid plan. Besides, I might also have some people I can introduce you... people whom you never know who might good to know in a business sense." Hope winked at him.

"Even more of a reason to attend, then." He smiled and continued eating his supper, looking forward to the thought of spending more time with his daughter.