Fifteen Years by Kendra Norman-Bellamy Read Free Book Online

his ignorance.
    Chuckling at the thought, Josiah tossed his empty cup in the garbage can beside his desk, picked up the blue binder from the top of the file cabinet, and put the last few minutes of his life on reverse. He picked up his keys from the leather chair, lifted his suit jacket from the coatrack, dropped the keys in its pocket, slipped the coat on his body, and then turned the lights off on his way out.
    This time when the elevator doors opened, there was no tall, beautiful woman there to greet him by name. There had been no runny-nosed executive there to overload him with information either. Yet when the doors closed behind his entrance, Josiah still used the tip of his shoe to press the button that would take him to his next destination.

“CONGRATULATIONS, Josiah. I can’t think of anyone in MacGyver Technologies who deserves this recognition more than you. I knew it was only a matter of time before a gem like you got noticed.” Nadhima Odemowa spoke the words as she approached the honoree’s table with Mickey Colt in tow. Her right arm was extended, offering Josiah her hand.
    Standing, Josiah Tucker accepted the friendly handshake, all the while, wondering if the woman’s daughter had filled her in on their awkward meeting yesterday. “Thank you, Nadhima. I feel very fortunate.”
    “Oh, his value was noticed a long time ago,” Mickey chimed, sounding a bit defensive at Nadhima’s insinuation.
    Could have fooled me.
Josiah pushed the thoughts to the back of his mind and put all of his energies into maintaining his smile. Hetried to be modest every time a new coworker walked up to congratulate him, but Josiah couldn’t deny that being humble was tough when he knew he was worthy of the promotion. After nearly seven years of hard work, and at times, feeling unappreciated and overlooked (especially in the years since Mr. MacGyver passed away), Josiah couldn’t think of anyone who was more deserving of the recognition either. “Thank you, Mr. Colt,” he chose to say. “It’s good to work for a company that honors its employees.”
    “Well, anybody who can work his way up the corporate ladder like you did, and in such a short time, has definitely earned the right to join the ranks of the executives. You’re a firecracker, Josiah. A firecracker.”
    Firecracker.
Yeah, right. Josiah almost laughed. Buckskin was a better definition. He had covered Mickey’s behind more times than a few. Still, Josiah chose to be cordial in his response.
    “Coming from you, that’s an especially humbling compliment, Mr. Colt. I’m grateful to be named among the other senior analysts that work for such a respectful company.” If there was one thing that Josiah had learned in his years at MacGyver, it was to not always speak his mind. He could suck up to authority with the best of them. It was a part of the game. The part that only the winners knew about.
    “I noticed that you haven’t been served your meal, and I assume that was by choice?” Mickey looked around as he presented the questionlike comment. He looked as if he were ready to pounce on the caterers if they’d somehow forgotten to serve the honoree.
    “Yes, it was my choice to eat later,” Josiah assured him. “I’d rather eat after speaking.”
    “I’m the same way,” Nadhima said.
    “That’s understandable.” A slow nod preceded Mickey’s scanning of the empty chairs that surrounded the special table. He thenlooked at the Rolex that encircled his wrist. “Is your family running late? I’m about to get ready to introduce you in just a few moments. I’d hate for them to miss the highlight of the evening.”
    It was Josiah’s high school graduation all over again. He was the man of the hour and had no one there to celebrate his accomplishments with him. Looking past Mickey, purposefully avoiding eye contact, Josiah gave his head a slow nod. “They may not be able to make it in time. My … well, as I’ve told you in the past, my family lives