Family Storm

“What’s that sneaky political hack up to now?” Jake asked himself, holding a press release. One his fax machine had just coughed up a minute ago. After a minute of silent deliberation, the newspaperman turned and made his way over to a reporter’s desk. “Daniel, what’s your brother up to now?” Jake Thomlin asked, as soon as he was close enough to Daniel Bedford’s desk. “Don’t know, why?” Daniel answered, even as he felt himself stiffen. Reacting to the comments made by his friend, the newspaper editor. "Some type of press conference. It's due to kick off in about an hour. I need to send someone. Only I’ve got no one available.” Jake left the statement hanging, watching as Daniel absorbed the information. “You want me to take it?” Daniel asked, cockling an eyebrow with an unvoiced question. “Look, I know he’s your brother. And I really hate to put you in this situation. Maybe you could just take a few notes, then bring them back. I’ll write it up myself.” For several long moments, Daniel chewed his lip in indecision. Finally he looked up at Jake and nodded, agreeing to go. “I’ll do it. But I really don’t think it’s anything major. If it was even mildly important, I’m sure he or Samantha would have told me.” Daniel said as he got to his feet. “Well, I can’t take a chance on not sending someone. So shag over there and see what the scoop is." Jake said, even as he jotted down the assignment on his legal pad. He was about to turn away, when he saw Susan Barstowe come through a nearby side door. "Don't put your stuff away, Susan." Jake called, while motioning the staff photographer to come over. "No rest for the weary." Susan muttered under her breath. Then as soon as she was close enough, she asked. "What’s up?" “Go with Daniel, he’s got the info.” Jake said, before turning away to walk back to his office. "Say Jake,” Daniel called out to Jake’s retreating back. “Don’t forget, you’re supposed to spring for the first round.” Pausing for a moment, Jake looked back over his shoulder at Daniel. "No problem. I’ve got a tab running at the Media Circus. Now get out of here. The press conference is scheduled for three." Jake said, tapping his watch to emphasize his meaning. Turning his attention away from his boss, Daniel rolled his eyes. Seeing Susan watching him, he gave her a wink and a smile. From a standing position, Daniel hit a set of keys on his computer. All in order to save the article he was currently working on. Then he logged off and shut the machine down. Only when the monitor went blank, did he head for the door. On his way out, he caught sight of his boss talking to another employee. He liked his boss, but Jake needed to learn to relax a little more. The amount of stress this place generated, was hard on the man. If he did not learn to ease up, the likelihood was he’d blow a gasket. In the final analysis, Daniel knew. It would not matter if his fearless leader, had ink or blood running through his veins. The end result would be the same. Glancing over his shoulder one last time, Daniel saw Jake was looking back in his direction. With a shake of his head, Daniel lengthened his stride. A quick glance at his watch, showed Daniel he needed to get a move on. He knew intimately, how long it would take to get to his destination. The office where his brother worked, was not close. Especially with traffic this time of day. Only when Susan and Daniel were almost to the floors elevator, did Jake begin to relax a little. At least that job was taken care of. Pausing just outside his office, Jake quickly wrote himself a note. When he was done, he went into his office and closed the door. Instantly the noise level dropped. In a couple of steps, Jake was beside his chair. Sitting down, he felt as if he had been running a marathon. In his chest, he felt his heart thumping more loudly than usual. With a mental rebuke, he told himself to relax. It took a few minutes, but finally his heart slowed to a more normal pace. When it did, he reached across his desk for his clamoring phone. Frowning, its incessant ringing did not usually bother him. Not as much as it did most other people. In his mind, it was just another normal part of his daily work existence. A tool, like his computer or the old style manual typewriter he kept on a stand beside his desk. A constant reminder, of how long he had been in this business. "You know, sometimes he gets on my nerves." Susan commented dryly. "Now Susan,” Daniel started, leading the way to the elevator. “Don’t sweat the small stuff. If the little things get to you, what’ll you do when the really serious crap drops in your lap?” “Oh I don’t know.” Susan responded, even as she reached out to push the call button for the elevator. “Maybe I’ll have a nervous breakdown? I hear a shrink factory would be a nice quiet place to get some stress relief. No phones ringing, no shouting, no angry boss to growl and snap at you all day long. Sounds like a vacation to me.” “Sometimes Susan, you really worry me.” Daniel exclaimed, raising one eyebrow in reaction to his colleague’s assertion. “Don’t start measuring me for a strait jacket just yet. I’m only mildly off. I’m definitely not in your league.” “What’s that supposed to mean?” Daniel asked, pausing beside his co-worker. His tone of voice, betraying a little bit of hurt feelings. Susan was instantly sorry for her hasty words. She had not meant to hurt Daniel’s feelings. Only her retort, had evidently touched a raw spot in her friend. Thinking back to other occasions, she frowned. Remembering how she had inadvertently hit tender spots with Daniel. While not really meaning too. With her friend, there was no way of knowing when or how he would react to certain comments. For all of his open and natural friendliness, she had learned a few things about Daniel. He was a man who harbored shadows. Feelings, he worked hard to keep hidden. Without having time to really think about it, Susan heard herself respond. “Well for one thing, you work in a field where almost everyone is a Prima Dona. I’ve never seen so many deluded, self-absorbed, egomaniacs in my life. At the best of times, you word jockeys are smug and conceited. I swear, journalist must have all been abused as children. It wouldn’t surprise me, if they’re all trying desperately to win someone’s approval.” Susan found herself throwing out comments, all in a forlorn effort to defuse the situation. Only her words were coming out all wrong! The harder she tried to repair the damage, the worse she was making things! She wanted to stop, but her mouth refused to shut up. Looking at Daniel, she could see how her words were affecting him. In a desperate move, she blurted out another ill-conceived comment. “Not that you’re like that, most of the time.” Finally Susan clamped her mouth shut, having stuck both feet in her mouth. In her mind, she felt like such an idiot. Most people stuck a foot in their mouth from time to time. But not her, no! When she did it, it went all the way up to her knees. Now all she wanted to do, was crawl into a hole and hide. There followed a long uneasy silence. When Daniel did look at her, it was with an expression she was unable to read. Though in her own mind she knew. She felt she could see a deep hurt in his eyes. Standing there, she thought about apologizing. Only she felt it was too late for that. So instead, she tried to rationalize her actions. It was not her fault if the truth hurt, she told herself. But in her mind, all she could think about, was the pain she might have caused her