Chapter 28 #2
Tomas smirked in acknowledgment, going to his locker to retrieve a clean shirt. He turned back to find Vincent leaning against the counter, studying him over a steaming cup of coffee, a warm smile on his face.
“What?”
“Proud of you, bro. I’ve heard about this idea of yours, and it is really gonna make a difference for families in Keeney.”
Feigning indifference, Tomas shrugged. “Fiona’s done all the heavy lifting. Her and her brother, Joseph.”
“Uh-uh. She’s crediting you with the idea. From you, it extends to Keeney Builds and KBS. We look good because of your forward thinking.” Vincent raised his coffee mug in salute.
“Thanks, but we’re not out of the woods yet.
The board of HFH has to sign off on it before we can get the funding.
When that happens, it’s go time.” Tomas stepped past Vincent to rinse out his coffee mug and leave it on the draining board.
He was pleased and excited while at the same time feeling like he was an unarmed gladiator about to enter the Coliseum, afraid to be chewed up and spit out.
Fiona said that the meeting with her parents had gone well and that it was just a matter of convincing the other board members.
It was strange to think that his idea had stirred such excitement.
“Not that long ago, you and I were lining up with metal trays in a prison dining hall. Now you’re making corporate presentations.” Vincent elbowed him.
“Don’t remind me,” Tomas muttered. “I hate this shit.”
“I hear ya.” Vincent and Tomas had made the presentation that brought Keeney Builds to life. They’d sweat bullets that day, and it hadn’t gotten any easier. “Ma told me your mother is helping select the families for the homes.”
Tomas leaned against the counter beside Vincent, staring absently out the window overlooking the floor of KBS. “Yeah, she’s thrilled.”
“You don’t sound happy. You don’t think she should do it?”
Tomas shook his head. “No. That part’s fine.
She’d be great at it. Knows lots of people, has lots of connections.
It’s just….” He turned to face Vincent fully.
“You heard what Fiona’s mother said about me.
If she treats my mother like shit, I’m gonna lose it.
” He didn’t need to say any more. Vincent’s mother was Native American, and his father had Mexican heritage.
He’d experienced similar racist comments and was fiercely protective of his own mother.
“And if that happens, what does it mean for Fiona and me? We’re both tight with our families, so if things fall apart… .”
“Now you’re buying trouble. I don’t know Fiona’s mother, but I hear she’s a savvy businesswoman. Her reputation means a lot to her, so I doubt she’s gonna make waves. What does your mom think?”
“She’s more forgiving than I am, expects Linh Han to apologize, and hopes I’ll accept it.”
“And will you?”
“Maybe. For Fiona’s sake, I might.” It would need to be more than an apology.
It would need to be stepping back from trying to control Fiona’s life.
If she couldn’t do that, she might lose Fiona forever.
He didn’t want her to lose her mother, but if Linh Han continued to be toxic, Fiona stepping away from her might be the healthiest thing for her.
Her father had stepped forward, and Fiona had accepted his apology. He was also keenly interested in the tiny house builds and seemed to accept Tomas for exactly who he was. This made Fiona happy, and that’s all Tomas cared about.
The deal Carlos and Joseph worked out to buy Woodbine Automotive was going smoothly, which was good. Tomas hadn’t seen it, but was assured that the contract was solid, and that Carlos would not be screwed over. HFH were investors, but Carlos would run the shop the way he wanted.
He drifted over to the window and stood watching the hive of activity that was KBS on a Tuesday afternoon.
He’d been an employee for a little over a year and a half and marveled at the changes.
Recognizing that older people preferred face-to-face interactions rather than looking things up online or talking on the phone, Hilary had installed a kiosk in one corner of the store specifically for people wanting to hire a contractor, and it was a success.
Staffed by students going through the Keeney Builds program, it brought energy to the store.
She’d also installed monitors above the cash registers.
Customers standing in line were treated to a loop of how-to videos featuring Keeney Builds students working with women and senior citizens.
These stemmed from the conversation Tomas, Fiona, and Iris had had.
Next to the checkout counters were free laminated cards detailing the tools required to finish each job and the QR code needed to access the video on their own.
Pride swelled in Tomas’s chest, knowing he’d been a part of these changes.
Vincent joined him at the window. Without looking at him, Tomas said, “I remember Eddie telling me there wasn’t a job here for me.
I wasn’t surprised. I didn’t believe you’d found a place for us that easily.
Guys like us, we’re not supposed to have it good.
” Feeling Vincent stiffen beside him, he shot him a side eye.
“That’s what I thought then . I’ve got it good; work I love, a supportive family, a chance to do good, and a woman who wants me.
I’m glad you chased me down and dragged me back here.
I’m glad you forced me to get my head out of my ass. ”
“Damn straight.” Vincent nudged him with a shoulder, and they watched the floor, lost in their own thoughts.
Down below, a pretty young woman entered, looking around as if seeking someone. As if drawn by his gaze, she looked up to the window. Tomas knew she couldn’t see him but waved anyway.
“Who’s that?”
“My sister Sylvie. She’s here for a job interview.”
“Yeah? On the floor?”
“No. An assistant for Hilary, Ali, and Marcia.” Tomas was proud and nervous at the same time. “It’s a second interview. She impressed Marcia when she assisted me with the class. Sylvie thought they were just talking and didn’t realize it was an interview.”
“Ma’s sneaky that way,” Vincent said with a grin. “She ferrets out information better than the FBI.”
“I believe it. Now Sylvie’s here to meet Hilary.”
Vincent clapped Tomas on the shoulder and went over to the sink to dump his coffee. “I hope it works out. That would mean my wife won’t be working so hard.” He waggled his eyebrows. “Seriously, you’re gonna rock that presentation. And I hope things work out with Fiona’s mother.”
The churning in Tomas’s gut was back. He told himself Linh Han loved her daughter and wanted Fiona to be happy. If only that really were the case.