Chapter 5
“ E ducation Needed to Become an Architect.”
Heart thumping, Tomas closed the lid of his laptop and peered over his shoulder. “What are you? Training to be a ninja? You scared the shit out of me?”
Vincent smirked before taking a drink from his water bottle.
The asshole loved sneaking up on him. He tipped his chin at Tomas’s computer.
“Seriously, which student is that for? I’m thinking Marissa.
She’s focused, intent, and certainly has the determination to complete a four-to-five-year program. ”
Four to five years? Shit. Tomas was thirty-six.
Could he afford to spend the next five years in school?
He’d barely finished high school. Too macho to disclose how difficult reading was for him, he instead opted to be the class clown and resident troublemaker.
To compensate, he’d convince someone to read instructions aloud and would commit important stuff to memory.
Entry into the prison’s general contracting course required taking an aptitude test. Vincent saw his struggle and helped him through the exam.
Determined not to be a regular in the state’s penal system, Tomas worked his ass off to make it through the contracting program.
Now, reading was not easy, but he worked at it, employing technology for text to audio as much as possible.
Vincent was his closest friend, but Tomas wasn’t ready to share his dream with anyone yet. Instead, he said, “Yeah, Marissa’s a good choice.”
“Good choice for what?” Hilary entered the KBS break room, gave Vincent a quick kiss, and poured herself a cup of coffee.
Vincent pointed at the computer. “Tomas is researching architect programs for the students.”
“Really? Huh.” Leaning back against the counter, Hilary crossed her arms, looking deep in thought.
The two men grinned at each other. They recognized the look. The look that preceded an idea that would mean work for them.
She squinted at them, then walked slowly back to her office, muttering to herself. “Hmmm. Funding…where to get the funding.”
Vincent slapped Tomas on the shoulder and followed his wife. Tomas stared at the computer; he hadn’t even thought about the cost of tuition.
Moments later, Hilary popped her head around the door. “I’m going to set up a meeting with Fiona Han. Any particular day work better for you?”
Tomas gawked at her. “What? Me?”
“It’s your idea. You should be there.”
Drumming his fingers on the closed laptop, he stared at his boss.
Should he tell her it was supposed to be for him?
No. If he couldn’t tell Vincent, he definitely couldn’t tell Hilary.
But maybe, this way, he could get some answers.
And you could see Fiona . He chased the thought away.
This was about work. To Hilary, he replied, “Just let me know. I’ll make it work. ”
She gave him a thumb’s up and was gone. Leaving him wondering how he was going to talk to Fiona about something he knew nothing about but deeply wanted for himself.
F iona snapped her head up at the ring of the doorbell.
She put down the packing tape and headed for the entryway, skirting around neatly labeled boxes and stacked luggage.
In front of a wall mirror, she stopped and smoothed her hair back.
She peered through the peephole on the door, half hoping it would be Tomas.
It was not. It was Iris. Fiona sighed, pasted a welcoming smile on her face, and opened the door.
The whole time Fiona had been married to Eddie, she’d thought her mother-in-law disliked her.
Not only disliked her but looked down on her for her Vietnamese heritage.
Conversation was stilted the few times they were together, and Fiona was always happy to leave.
Not until her marriage was falling apart did she realize Eddie had blocked the relationship from developing.
He’d led his parents to believe that Fiona thought they were beneath her.
Since Eddie landed in jail for embezzling from his mother, Fiona and Iris were finally becoming friends.
“Hi.” She pulled the door wide and stepped back, allowing Iris to enter.
Iris leaned forward as if to hug Fiona, who flinched.
Iris drew back, a frown on her face. Fiona shook her head and stepped toward the older woman and grasped her outstretched hand in both of hers.
“Sorry,” she said. “I need to work on that.” Her mother was not a hugger.
In fact, signs of affection were few and far between.
Perhaps that was why Eddie thought her so cold and unresponsive that he’d had affairs.
Iris gave her a small smile, her eyes soft with understanding.
“We’ve got time for that.” She stepped into the living room and turned around slowly, taking in the organized chaos.
A box was open on the coffee table, piles of packing paper and framed photographs next to it.
A box on the floor was filled with throw pillows.
The walls were bare. Artwork that was too large to be boxed up leaned against the walls.
She raised eyebrows at Fiona in silent inquiry.
“The house is going up for sale. Not sure how long it will be on the market, so I figured I’d be prepared.”
Iris nodded slowly. “You’ve gotten a lot done.” She cocked her head to the side like an inquisitive bird. “Did you forget we’re going out for lunch today?”
Fiona whipped out her phone. “That’s tomorrow!”
Iris placed her purse on a taped-up box and removed her pale blue cardigan. “No, sweetheart, it’s today.”
Fiona scowled at her calendar and groaned. “I’m so sorry. I got caught up and?—”
“Not a problem.” Iris eyed a framed photograph before wrapping it in paper and placing it in the box. “We can make this a working lunch. I’ll call the deli and get some sandwiches delivered.”
Fiona hurried forward and placed a staying hand on Iris’s arm. “That’s not necessary. I can?—”
Iris placed her hand over Fiona’s. “I know you can. But you don’t have to do this by yourself.” She met Fiona’s gaze straight on. “You’re not getting enough sleep,” she said gently.
Fiona stepped back, lifting her hands to her face. “Does it show?” Since the conversation with her mother and the confrontation with Tomas, sleep had eluded her. She tossed and turned most nights, waking up wrapped in sheets so tight she felt like a burrito.
Laugh lines crinkled around Iris’s faded blue eyes. “Only to someone who cares enough to look for it. Now, is there something specific I can order for you? I know the Saturday special is a Reuben sandwich.”
Fiona shrugged. Her appetite had disappeared with her ability to sleep. She looked down at the worn jeans and baggy t-shirt. And apparently her ability to dress as well. “Sure. That would be great.”
Iris nodded sharply. “Good. I’ll order, then finish up in here. Where are you moving to? One of the new apartments downtown?”
Downtown Keeney used to be comprised of three square blocks.
But the outward expansion of Seattle had transformed the sleepy little town at the top of Lake Washington.
Now, there were many shops, cafes, and even a hotel.
Five residential multi-story buildings had recently gone up with retail space on the bottom floors.
Fiona shook her head and twisted her jade bracelet. “I’m moving back home.” Iris had been rummaging through her purse but gave Fiona her full attention. Fiona squared her shoulders and continued, “My family requires it. It’s um…complicated.”
Her lips thinned, Iris said, “I see. And your belongings? Do your parents have room for them?”
“No. I’ll put everything in storage for now. I’ll go through them when I have time and sell off what I don’t need.” Fiona glanced around the room. Eddie had picked out most of the furniture, so getting rid of it wouldn’t be a hardship. She just didn’t have the energy to deal with it right now.
Iris must have been a mind reader. “I have a friend who is adept at buying and selling things online. Would you like her to take care of this for you?”
Fiona shook her head. “Oh, I couldn’t?—”
“Please. Let me. I want to help you.”
Fiona closed her eyes and sighed. The one good thing that had come from being screwed over by Eddie McLeod was her friendship with his mother.
The tightness in her shoulders relaxed, and she opened eyes filled with thankful tears.
“Thank you. That would be great.” She headed back to the kitchen, not wanting to give in to emotion yet again.
Half an hour later, loud voices heralded the arrival of Marcia Ortiz, Iris’s best friend and a business associate of Fiona’s, who probably knew everything about Fiona’s current situation.
From her spot in the kitchen, Fiona watched the two women approach.
Where Iris was pale, thin, and bird-like, Marcia was best described as robust. Rounded in face and body, her dark eyes were sharp, and her dark hair glittering with gray.
Both were in their sixties, and they each had important roles in Keeney non-profits, in addition to full-time jobs.
Iris worked with Fiona at Keeney Works as the client coordinator, matching up clients with internships.
Marcia worked for Keeney Builds. She wrangled the students, ensuring their attendance, assignments, and presentations were up to snuff.
Together, she and Iris were contacting other trades to link in with Keeney College and Keeney Works to provide classes and internships beyond carpentry and contracting.
In order to work at Keeney Works, Iris had hired Hilary Ortiz, Marcia’s daughter-in-law, to oversee her business, Keeney Building Supply.
At the moment, the two no-nonsense businesswomen looked more like giggling schoolgirls. The pleasure they took in each other’s company drove a pang of jealousy through Fiona. She had never once had a friendship as deep and strong as theirs.