Extended Family

Kenny got into Brook's car and backed out of the driveway, making his way out of the suburbs and into the main town of Greenwall. In the years since he and Zoey left, things had become a bit more advanced. The small-town vibe had been changed into the start of a bustling city, the small town center was must have tripled in size, large office buildings were beginning to create an outline for a skyline and at the center of it all was a huge skyscraper. Unsurprisingly this building was the basis of LQT.inq, Kenny could remember as a kid the building was still here but back then it only had ten floors, now...it seemed Brian had paid for a hell of an upgrade.

Kenny pulled into the parking lot and entered the building, taking the elevator up to the fifty-third floor, which opened straight into a large cozy waiting room. The walls were lined with a deep mahogany wood, large easy chairs circled along the walls, and right beside a set of large double doors sat a small receptionist desk, where a younger woman sat typing away. Her head raised as she spotted Kenny near timid approach, and she tilted her head in minor confusion, "Can I help you, sir?"

"I hope so, um, my name is Kenneth Clark or Kenny, I'm a very old friend of Mindy Long and Brian White. I was hoping I could speak to them if they are available," Kenny replied with a slight nervous ping in his voice,

The young woman glanced towards the door, then looked back to Kenny with a slightly dismissive look, "Sir, Mr.White, and Mrs.Long are very busy, they rarely hold meetings with anyone who doesn't have an appointment, and right now is their private lunch hour,"

"I understand, but it would only be a short minute," Kenny weakly argued,

"Sir, many people just want a minute of Mr. White's time, but unlike you, they make sure they have an appointment, now if you'd please..." The secretary dismissed,

"Can you please just tell them who I am?" Kenny begged, "If they don't want to meet me after they know, then I'll leave, I swear," The secretary sighed, "Please, miss,"

"I...very well, but you will leave correct?" Kenny quickly nodded, "Good, I'd hate to call security," Kenny let out a slow exhale as he watched the woman pick up her phone and page into the room, "Mrs.Long? Yes, very sorry to bother you and Mr.White right now but I have a Kenny Clark here wanting to talk to you and your husband. Yes, ma'am, Kenneth Clark," She repeated, "No, he just wanted to speak to you both for a moment. Yes, okay, absolutely, ma'am." Kenny waited eagerly as the girl hung up the phone and looked up at him in genuine surprise, "Alright sir, they're just having lunch right now, but you can go right ahead,"

"Thank you!" Kenny said with a quick exhale, "Thank you so much,"

"Of course, sir, have a good day," Kenny nodded back and quickly walked forward, pushing into the large office. Inside were large bookshelves lining the walls. Multiple leather chairs and couches dotted around the office and at the far side of the office was a large oak desk with a giant window behind it, giving everyone a perfect view of all of Greenwall, this is where Kenny found his two old friends.

Mindy quickly stood up, wiping her mouth with a napkin before fixing her outfit, a tight-fitting red button-up shirt, and a dark grey skirt that went all the way down to her knees. The girl's brown eyes were still as vibrant as ever and her long dark hair seemed even more luscious, she let out a wide smile and rushed over to Kenny, pulling the man into a nearly back-breaking embrace, "Kenny," Mindy breathed out, sounding almost at peace as she held the man, "My God, I almost didn't believe Rebecca when she said who it was. I've missed you so much,"

"Mindy, great to see you, it's been way too long," Kenny warmly smiled and returned the hug fully only pulling back after a few moments only to receive a small kiss on the cheek as they parted,

Just behind Mindy, Brian got to his feet as well, wiping off his hands and face with a napkin as well. The billionaire playboy, at least that's what Brian was supposed to be, that's what he told everyone his destiny was and they had all believed it. That was until Mindy of course, their week-long trip ten years ago brought the unlikely pair together and for better or worse, they had never looked back. Brian's blonde hair was slicked back, a touch of grey just barely touched his sideburns and a bit of scruff grew on his face but his bright blue eyes couldn't look more relaxed as he looked at Kenny. Brian smiled wide and walked over pulling his friend in, giving him a quick hug while patting his back with a happy laugh, "Sonofabitch, it is fucking great to see you again man! Thought you forgot about us!"

"Never, Bry," Kenny assured the brown-haired man, "If anything, I thought trying to meet with you two was a long shot. Figured you'd have forgotten about some guy you knew in high school,"

"I was your best friend, dummy, how could I ever forget you?" Mindy scoffed,

"You should have told us you were coming to visit Greenwall, Kenny," Brian lightly chastised, "Could have just flown you in, my treat. How long are you staying?"

"I'm actually moving in with Brook," Kenny replied taking the pair by surprise, "She's providing a place for me and Ellie to stay for now,"

"Are they here with you?" Mindy asked with a set of wide happy eyes, "I haven't seen that little girl in years,"

"Uh, no, she's having lunch with Brook right now," Kenny softly chuckled, "But I'll be sure to bring her next time,"

"You better," Brian nodded with a grin, "Now, what can we do for you?"

"Uh...well, I know you two are very busy so I'll cut right to the chase," Mindy raised her brow while Brian curiously crossed his arms, "I...I need a job," Kenny sheepishly stated, "A-And I was hoping you two might have something for me," Brian turned his head and looked over at his wife, who did the same, silently deciding how to reply.

Brian's lips slowly curled up into a smile as he looked at his wife, Kenny gulped for a second, feeling a bit nervous the second he heard Mindy giggle. "Of course, Kenny," Brian chuckled, "Don't be so nervous, we're friends, and if we can help you out, of course, we'll do it."

"Seriously?" Kenny replied with wide eyes, "Just like that?"

"Kenny, do you know who you're talking to?" Mindy smiled, "Just tell us what you need, and it'll happen," Kenny blinked a few times causing the pair to let out a light-hearted laugh. Brian walked over to Kenny and placed a hand on his back leading him back towards the main desk where he could take a seat. Mindy took a seat at the head of the desk, "So did you have any thoughts?"

"Uh...no, honestly, I thought I was going to leave empty-handed," Kenny replied with a breathy laugh, "I only came because Brook pressured me,"

"You keep talking like that and I'm gonna start getting offended," Brian chuckled while moving to Mindy's side and crossing his arms, "You shouldn't have needed to be pressured to come here, Kenny. We're always going to be pals, even if we haven't talked in a long time. Besides, it's not like you came looking for a blank check, you're here for work, anyone would respect that,"

"I'm...I'm sorry, both of you," Kenny softly replied while hanging his head, "And this means a lot to me, truly,"

Mindy slowly nodded and leaned forward, cupping her hands together while thinking, "Apology completely accepted. Now, hmm...with Ellie being so young, I'm guessing you're going to need a sort of odd hours kind of job, right?"

Kenny cleared his throat and nodded, "Yes, actually," He agreed, "Brook works during the day, but promised that she'd always take care of Ellie at night if I could get a job for those hours. I'd...I just don't want Ellie being taken care of by a nanny; she needs family,"

"Of course," Brian wholly agreed, "So a night shift, that's possible, right Mindy?"

"You bet," Mindy smiled, "What about security?"

"Security?" Kenny gulped, "Listen, I know things are going to be tight for me, but putting myself in danger isn't something-"

"Kenny, easy man, we're not talking personal protection," Brian laughed,

"Heaven forbid," Mindys said while typing on her computer for a moment before Kenny heard her printer start, "It's not normal for us to offer this position right off, but we trust you, and it's quite easy. You'd work here from eleven at night to five in the morning, patrolling the building, making sure no one is causing any problems." Kenny slowly nodded, "It's salary, and since this particular area is up on the chain, you'll be making close to seventy-five grand a year," Kenny's eyes bugged at the number,

"F-For a security p-position?" Kenny stuttered,

"And benefits," Mindy added on, "Healthcare, dental, with vacation time that usually works out to a few weeks. You know, the works,"

"Guys, are you serious right now?" Kenny whispered out in shock,

"We treat our personal staff very well, it helps protect company secrets," Brian simply explained, "Why would anyone want to screw themselves out of a good job that can provide for their family?"

"If that doesn't work we can try to find something else, but that's probably the best we can do for a comfortable night shift career," Mindy mumbled while thinking for a long minute, "Oh what about-"

"No, that works!" Kenny nearly exclaimed, "I just, I can't believe you're really offering me something like this,"

"Don't mention it," Mindy grinned as she quickly wrote down something on a notepad, "Um...if you have a little time, we'd love to get you in the system, think you could stick around and talk to the head of security?"

"Yeah, absolutely," Kenny readily agreed,

"Excellent," Brian warmly replied, "Just head out and tell Rebecca at the desk that you're joining the security **** and she'll help get you set up,"

"The receptionist?" Kenny asked for clarification while standing up,

"Yep," Brian nodded as Kenny walked over to him and pulled him into a tight hug, "Oh! Heh, you're welcome bud," Brian chuckled as he returned the hug,

"Thank you both, seriously, I...I can't even begin to tell you how much you're helping Ellie and me," Kenny almost sniffled as he pulled Mindy in for another hug as well,

"You're like extended family Kenny," Mindy warmly replied, "If you or Ellie need anything you just let me or Brian know, and I mean anything at all," Kenny gave the pair each a final thankful smile before turning and heading out of the office.