“You’re too humble, Andre.”
Piper said it like a protective older sister, yet with an encouraging, mischievous smirk. Next to her, Dan nodded in agreement.
Andre fidgeted and looked around Kajito’s, their favorite place to go for lunch. He tried to focus on the other people in the restaurant, instead of whatever it was he felt.
“I’m complimenting you. Why does that make you nervous?” Piper asked.
“I dunno,” Andre said. “It just doesn’t feel right to think I’m some kind of guru. I..” he hesitated. “I’m glad you think highly of me, Piper.” He rested his face on his fist and looked around the restaurant again.
“No one’s saying you have to be a guru,” Dan chimed in. “You just always drop gems of wisdom for us — and everyone else at work. You give great advice. And lots of other people would benefit.”
Piper nodded her head, trying to give Andre a not-so-subtle sign that she agreed.
“There’s enough people trying to be experts out there,” Andre replied. “Plus, I’m just a simple guy. I like my life.”
Piper’s face now turned confused. “We know you like your life. Just…”
“I don’t want to talk about this,” Andre interrupted, holding his watch up. “We gotta get back to work.”
~
That afternoon, they had a big client meeting.
Their CEO, Brian, a smooth talking NYC-native, deferred every question to Andre.
Andre handled it with grace. He was calm, honest and genuinely helpful.
That’s why — even though it was a B2B software company — their clients acted like fans of the brand. They even called the office asking for Andre sometimes. It was like, because he handled their business’ problems with such care, they felt like he was caring for them as people.
Piper and Dan had never seen that in Corporate America before. That’s why they wanted Andre to write a book, or at least start a blog or YouTube channel, about his life philosophies.
After answering a question at the end of the meeting, Andre glanced over to see Piper elbow Dan, as if to say, “See, there Andre goes again. He’s got the gift.”
~
It was after 6PM already.
As always, Andre was the last to leave the office.
On the train home, he scrolled on his phone to take his mind off work.
In the blur of social media, something caught his attention.
This post…
Andre scratched his chin, contemplating it.
His mind flashed to what Piper and Dan said to him at lunch, then to how they reacted in the meeting.
“Hmm…”
He felt the train slow down, then looked outside to make sure it was his stop. Yup. That’s it.
Andre stopped at the grocery store on his way home. He figured he’d surprise his girlfriend, Tara, with some flowers and chocolate, especially since he was a little late (as always).
He opened the apartment door to see Tara in the kitchen, making dinner. “Honey,” she said. “I knew you’d be home late again, so I thought I’d start cooking. Does chicken piccata work for you?”
Andre smiled. “Of course! Thank you, T. I really appreciate that.”
He pulled the flowers out from behind his back. Tara’s face lit up with a smile. “Aww Andre! That’s so sweet. I love you!”
“Love you too,” he whispered as their lips touched.
Tara turned back toward the stove. “You’re a good man, Andre. Other people could learn a lot from you.”
“What does that mean?” he asked.
Tara looked at him. “I don’t know. I just felt called to say that.”
~
The next day at lunch, Andre sat up straighter than usual. He sported a smirk instead of his usual look of concern.
“You look happy Andre.” Piper said.
“I decided to do something,” Andre replied.
Piper and Dan leaned in.
“I’m going to write a book.”
Piper did a happy dance. Dan stood up and clapped.
Andre waved for them to calm down and listen. They slowly sat back in their chairs.
“But I do have one request for both of you.”
They leaned forward again, in anticipation.
“I want you guys to be my advisors, my editors, my confidants.”
“Yeah, definitely,” they said in unison, jostling their elbows together in friendly victory.
“And one more thing…” Andre continued. This time he was the one flashing an encouraging, mischievous smirk.
“Both of you need to write your books too.”
Piper and Dan looked at each other in shock.
They’d been just as scared, but also just as brilliant as Andre, the whole time.
~
That Sunday, Andre picked up his phone from the kitchen counter.
A text from Piper. It was to him and Dan.
“Guys, look what I just found! You in?”
Andre opened the text and saw this image with it…
THE END
Fiction Tells Truth
If you know me, and my work, you know that I love using fiction to tell deep truths. In many ways, it’s a more effective vehicle for Truth (with a capital T) than nonfiction.
I hope you sensed some of the essence of this story.
Maybe you can relate to some of it too.
That’s why I’ve put together the Divine Write program.
It’s a 90 day spiritual rite of passage to help you write your book.
If this interests you, learn more and apply here: Divine Write
Much Love,
Stephen Parato
You get me to laugh :)
Thank you
Yes i need to continue writing my book
Enjoyed your short story, did not think would advertise your course with this, surprised, landed well.