Chapter 16 - The Blueprint
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Arthur stood in the center of the spacious, sunlit office, looking down at the massive sheets of paper spread across the drafting table.
Ethan stood beside him, nervously tapping a pencil against his palm.
“It’s just the preliminary rendering,” Ethan said quickly.
“I know.”
“The structural engineers still need to sign off on the load-bearing walls for the east wing.”
“Ethan.”
“And we might need to adjust the HVAC routing because the budget is getting a little tight around the green roof initiative.”
Arthur reached out and gently placed his hand over Ethan’s, stopping the frantic tapping of the pencil.
“Ethan,” Arthur said softly. “Breathe.”
Ethan let out a long, shaky exhale and ran a hand through his dark hair.
“Sorry,” Ethan muttered. “I just... I want it to be perfect.”
Arthur looked back down at the blueprints.
It was the design for the Thomas Bennett Foundation’s new central headquarters.
For the past two years, the foundation had operated out of a leased commercial space downtown, but as their resources and case volume grew, Arthur knew they needed a permanent home.
When it came time to hire a lead architect, Arthur hadn't looked at any external firms.
He had simply handed the property deed to Ethan.
“It doesn't need to be perfect,” Arthur said, tracing the lines of the expansive, open-concept lobby Ethan had designed. “It needs to be safe. And welcoming. And you’ve captured that beautifully.”
Ethan looked at the plans, his shoulders finally dropping from their tense, anxious posture.
“I wanted a lot of glass,” Ethan explained. “No dark corridors. No hidden rooms. I wanted a place where no one feels like secrets are being kept from them.”
Arthur felt a familiar, deep tightness in his chest.
He understood exactly where that specific design philosophy came from.
They had spent too many years living in a house full of heavy shadows, surrounded by adults who communicated in whispers and locked doors.
“It’s brilliant,” Arthur said honestly.
“You really mean it?”
“I wouldn't say it if I didn't.”
Ethan smiled, a genuine, proud expression that made him look so much older than the frightened boy he had once been.
“Thanks, Dad.”
May you like
Arthur patted his shoulder, feeling a profound sense of peace.
“Now, tell me about this green roof. If we need to increase the budget, we will.”
