"Then don't."
Vanessa pushed the envelope back toward him with two fingers.
"Take your package and leave."
Walter did not pick it up.
Instead, he looked past the reception desk toward the elevators.
Somewhere above him, on one of the upper floors, his son was working.
Perhaps Daniel was in a meeting.
Perhaps he was drinking coffee and discussing numbers that Walter could barely imagine.
Perhaps he was looking at photographs of the grandchildren Walter had not seen in almost two years.
The thought hurt more than Vanessa's insults.
"I'll call his office," Walter said, reaching into his pocket for his old phone.
"Sir, I just told you—"
Before she could finish, a sharp male voice interrupted.
"What's going on here?"
A man in an expensive navy pinstripe suit approached the counter.
He was tall, broad-shouldered, and perhaps forty years old. His dark hair was slicked neatly backward, and a white pocket square rested against his chest.
He walked with the confidence of someone who had grown accustomed to people getting out of his way.
His name was Richard Hayes.
He was the company's senior vice president of corporate operations.
Richard glanced at Vanessa.
"Is there a problem?"
Vanessa straightened.
"Mr. Hayes, this gentleman is refusing to leave. He claims he needs to see the chairman."
Richard turned toward Walter.
His eyes traveled slowly from the old man's shoes to his jacket and finally to his weathered face.
"Are you serious?"
Walter stood a little straighter.
"Good morning, sir. I came to speak with Daniel Bennett."
Richard's expression changed from irritation to disbelief.
"Daniel Bennett?"
"Yes."
"The chairman?"
"Yes."
Richard laughed.
Not because anything was funny, but because he wanted Walter to understand how ridiculous he considered the request.
"And why exactly would Mr. Bennett want to speak with you?"
Walter placed one hand on the envelope.
"That's a private family matter."
Richard's smile disappeared.
"A family matter?"
"Yes, sir."
"Listen carefully, old man. This is not a community center. This is a multibillion-dollar corporation."
Walter remained calm.
"I can see that."
"We have security procedures. We have appointments. We have actual business to conduct."
"I understand."
"Then why are you wasting everyone's time?"
A few employees slowed their steps.
Walter looked at the envelope.
"I only need to give this to him."
Richard snatched it from the counter.
Walter instinctively reached forward.
"Please be careful with that."
Richard held the envelope up as though examining something dirty.
"What is this? A donation request? Some ridiculous business proposal?"
"No. It belongs to my son."
Richard stared at him.
Then he laughed loudly.
"Your son?"
Walter did not answer.
Richard turned toward Vanessa.
"Did you hear that? Apparently, the chairman is his son."
Vanessa covered a smile.
Richard shook the envelope.
"That's a new one."
"Please give it back," Walter said.
Richard stepped closer.
"You know what I think?"
Walter looked directly at him.
"What?"
"I think you're one of those people who sees a successful company and believes someone owes you something."
Walter's face tightened.
"You don't know anything about me."
"Oh, I know enough."
Richard flicked the envelope against Walter's chest.
"I know you walked into a building where you don't belong."
Walter caught it before it fell.
"I have every right to be here."
Richard's eyes narrowed.
"Don't tell me what rights you have."
He pointed toward the revolving doors.
"You're done. Get out."
The words echoed across the marble lobby.
Walter stood motionless.
For a moment, the only sound was the distant ringing of telephones.
Then he reached into his pocket again.
Richard scoffed.
"What are you doing now?"
Walter looked at the screen of his phone.
"I'm already here," he said quietly. "I'll tell my son to come downstairs."
Richard stared at him.
Then his face twisted into an ugly grin.
"Go ahead."
Walter pressed a contact saved under a single word.
Daniel.
The call rang once.
Twice.
On the third ring, someone answered.
"Dad?"
Walter closed his eyes for a moment.
He had not heard that voice in weeks.
"Hello, son."
"Dad? Is everything okay?"
"Yes. I'm downstairs at your office."
There was a pause.
"You're where?"
"In the lobby."
Another pause followed, longer this time.
"Dad, why didn't you tell me you were coming?"
Walter looked toward Richard, who stood with his arms folded.
"I wanted to surprise you."
"Are you all right?"
Walter hesitated.
He could have said yes.
He could have hidden his embarrassment and avoided making trouble.
But he remembered Margaret's words from years ago.
Never teach your children that silence is the same as dignity.
"Son," Walter said softly, "I seem to be having a little trouble getting upstairs."
"What kind of trouble?"
"Some people here think I don't belong."
Daniel's voice changed.
"Who?"
Walter looked at Richard's name badge.
"Mr. Richard Hayes."
Silence.
Then Daniel spoke.
"Dad, don't move."
"I'm not going anywhere."
"I'm coming down."
The call ended.
Richard laughed again.
"Well? Is the imaginary chairman coming?"
Walter slipped the phone into his pocket.
"Yes."
Richard rolled his eyes.
"Wonderful. I'll alert the newspapers."
He turned toward Vanessa.
"Call security."
Vanessa reached for her telephone.
Walter raised a hand.
"That won't be necessary."