The Boomer 3 

After the fiasco during lunch time, the classes went by without a hitch. I check the time on my trusty flip phone. Yes, flip phone. That's the only one I can afford. The salesman who sold it to me looked at me with pity that I never knew was possible. 4:30 PM, and there seems to be a text from Eli.

"Hey dude! Could you please pick up Veronica from school? I forgot to tell you this morning but I'll be gone for the entire week because of work. I already told her she's staying with you again. She's really excited. You two don't get into too much trouble. XOXO."

What a weird texting style. In any case, it seems that the Kaleidoscope is already paying dividends. Usually, a trucking job takes 2-3 weeks at a time for her. Now, she's only gone for one?

I proceed to press the buttons on my ancient device. For what it's worth, the clickity clack of the keys are quite satisfying. "For sure. Stay safe and bring back something."

Veronica gets out of the kindergarten in fifteen minutes since it's the type that starts late and ends late. It's a strange schedule for sure but it works with Eli's schedule so she put Veronica in it immediately. Now that I think about it, it also works with mine somewhat. That's fortunate. Thankfully, I was already in the area when I saw the text so I rerouted and eventually found it. A humble building is nestled between a park and the small neighborhood that grew in recent years. The suburbs in the Downtown Metropolis were cleared out to make way for the towering skyscrapers that eventually became the trademark of our city.

It wasn't too long until the children and their parents start to spill out of the classrooms. Some kids are excited, some crying, while some wait impatiently for their parents to arrive. It wasn't too difficult to find Veronica among the crowd. Her auburn twin tails stand out like a sore thumb even in this crowd of blondes, black, and wait, is that rainbow hair? Kids these days have so much freedom. It seems that she hasn't seen me yet so I wave at her. When she finally saw me flailing like one of those banana men in front of car dealerships, she responds with a jump and sprints towards me. I catch her into my arms and swiftly position her on my shoulders.

"Weee. Ewo Debwon," she beams as she tussles my frizzy, unkempt hair.

"Hey Veronica. How was school?"

"Was good. I did maths."

"Oh really? What's 2+2?"

She pauses before putting four fingers on my face. "Fow."

"That's correct! So smart."

As I was about to join the wave of people hurrying towards their homes, the instructor comes towards my direction. He's a well-built man of about 40 or so years of age. Beside him is his wife who is far more dainty in comparison for him. As for how he managed to woo her with that intimidating look is beyond me but I should ask him sometimes. After all, if my read is right, they're as lovey dovey as young people my age who just started dating.

"Hey Devon, long time no see. It's your turn this time, eh?" he says while showing me his usual warm smile.

"Hey Ted, Judie," I greet them back with a nod. "Eleanor is out of town. But she'll come back after only a week this time. Their company got Kaleidoscope upgrades you see."

"Oh my," Judie exclaims softly; her tone as calming as ever. "Good for her. She can spend some more time with little Veronica here while still getting paid in full."

"That's the hope. Anyway, it's nice seeing you guys again."

Both of them wave goodbye and continue to greet the other parents and children. Man, they're so good at their jobs.

Soon enough, we reached the house. I take the spare key Eli gave me to enter her apartment. It's really clean which might come as a surprise to strangers who just met Eli but knowing her, this isn't even the neatest this place has been. Veronica is well-disciplined so she already went to her room to change without me even telling her to. I glance at the table and there seems to be a note.

"There's enough food in the fridge. Don't eat junk food too much like last time. I'll kill you if Veronica gets a stomachache again."

"Geeze, you don't have to remind me. Even I regret eating that much pizza and fries."

"Gweeze," Veronica finished putting on her casual-wear and started to mimic me.

I knelt down in front of her. "Veronica, I have to go to work and I can't leave you here by yourself. So, you'll have to come with me, yeah?"

"Aw we going to Uncle Tom?"

"That's right," I say as I carry her outside and lock the door behind me. "We're gonna go to the biiiig building again so you can do maths with me again. Isn't that cool?"

She beams. "Yeah! Everyone nice to me there. They give snacks and stuff."

I guess seeing a kid in an office is a breath of fresh air for Tom's employees.

"It's good to have fun but don't forget to do your homework ok?"

She presents me her tiny backpack and give me a thumbs up.

I smile like an idiot. "Good."

Eventually, we reached the Neo headquarters in the heart of the city. It's a monstrosity made of glass, concrete, and pure steel. My neck cracks every time I try to look up at their logo. Holding Veronica's hand, we took the steps towards the automatic doors which plays a jingle every time it opens. Veronica likes it whenever it does that.

I usually try to get my bearings whenever I enter this place since the people here all have frantic energy. However, as soon as I enter, a young man with neatly combed hair and formal grey suit comes running towards me.

Out of breath and in tears, he grabs my shoulders and sobs, "Devon help me. I don't know what I'm gonna do."

"Wait Nick calm down for a minute. I got Veronica with me," I say as I try to push him gently away from me.

Nick looks to my side and Veronica looks to me. "Does he have an owie? Why he crying?"

I give her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry sweetie. He just likes to cry sometimes."

"Hey, don't say things like that to the kid. She'll believe it," he protests.

I crane my neck over Nick's shoulders in search for an attendant. Eventually, I made contact with someone who knows us and I gesture for her to take Veronica from me.

"Ok, Veronica, that nice lady over there's gonna take you to where other kids are. I'll come find you once I make Nick's owie go away," I pet her head and give her to the nice lady in the suit. Veronica waves goodbye as she obediently follows the attendant.

I sigh. "Ok, Nick. I don't think making a scene at the entrance is productive so let's go to your office, yes?"

Without replying, Nick hurries towards the executive elevators and pressed the appropriate keys to take us to the 50th floor. The ride was silent except for the calming sea ambient music that's playing in the speakers. Nick is still as nervous as ever though. Then, with a ding we enter the Finance Department.

I used to feel out of place when Tom first dragged me here. Yes, he literally dragged me here against my will while still wearing my signature polo and pants. I used to have a waiting job in a restaurant in downtown which I miraculously found after the convenience store that I was working in shut down. Of course, I got fired for not showing up to work on the first day.

Needless to say, I was mad at him. I thought that he treated me as a circus act since I was good with numbers and because of that, I got fired from the job that took me so much effort to find. So, imagine my surprise when I got a call from Tom's dad telling me that his son was boasting about me and that he was impressed when he saw how I handled the financial documents when I was there. Of course, I refused because I don't want the people here who worked for years to be bitter towards me. Instead, I proposed that I only consult them for a while and give me a stipend that can pay my bills. Eventually, I will rise the ranks and by that time, there will be more people who respect me rather than despise me. The CEO laughed at my proposal and agreed. I guess Tom got that attitude from his dad.

Nick and I reach his office which he immediately locked and soundproofed the moment we entered.

"Can you tell me what's going on?" I say with a hint of concern and annoyance.

He fidgets for a bit as he waits for the blackout glasses to transition from transparent to opaque before saying the most disturbing words one could possibly hear in the financial department.

"I- I think someone is embezzling funds, Devon."