Page 11 of What I'm Looking For

Steve grins. “And that’s the foundation of our amazing economy.”

I right the wheelbarrow. “Exactly. Except it’s not so amazing for some people.”

Steve tosses a shovelful of dirt. “You work hard, you rise to the top.”

I push the wheelbarrow with a little too much force. “I guess we’ll just have to agree to disagree on that one.” He sounds just like my father, making pronouncements that don’t add up. I need to change the trajectory of the conversation. “That’s good for the hole. Let’s lay out the railroad ties.”

Steve doesn’t take the hint, unfortunately. “I’m curious, Will. If you want to succeed in the theater, why not go to New York? Isn’t Broadway the place to be?”

His know-it-all question is frustratingly ignorant, but I rein in my temper. “Yes, it is, if you want to be in musicals. But if you’re into classical theater—Shakespeare, Ibsen, Chekhov—Boston is a great place to be.”

I cross to the stack of ties. “Regional theater is where that work happens. If you’re a New York actor, you have to go all over the country to do it. Here, you can live where you work and you can actually support yourself.” Since they know I also work as a bartender, I add, “Once you’re established, that is. Jess, can you help me move this?”

She teeters over the uneven ground. “I’ll try.”

“That’s interesting.” Kate lifts one end of a tie and Steve the other. “I mean, Steve, you could ask the same of us—why aren’t we in New York? I mean, that’s where the big dogs are, right?”

“Well?…”

He actually sounds uncomfortable, and there’s a ghost of a smile on Kate’s face.

“Personally, I’m here because I wanted to work at Fidelity, which has really revolutionized investing for the middle class.” She hardly seems out of breath, even though the ties are heavy. “Then I moved to our firm because I needed to broaden my experience. Why are you in Boston, Steve?” Her tone’s neutral, but it seems like she’s doing her best to needle him.

“Honestly? Because my uncle plays golf with one of the Rhodes Wahler partners, okay?” He drops his end of the tie in place, a scowl on his face. “Not everyone graduates with honors from Harvard, Kate. Or is part of a diversification quota.”

“And that’s how our world works. Do I have my job because of my experience and work ethic, or because I’m female and the company needs to check off that box?” Kate asks as she drops hers.

Jessica catches my eye and blows out a breath between pursed lips, clearly picking up on the tension between our volunteer partners. “Anyhoo, not to change the subject or anything, but you guys should come see us at Shakespeare Boston this summer. We have a really great season lined up. We’ll be doingAll’s Well That Ends WellandRomeo and Juliet.” She bends over to pick up a tie with me. “Nobody’s making much of a return on their investment, but we do make Shakespeare fun.”

Kate nods as she and Steve pick up the other tie. “Well, that’s a different kind of return.” Her serious tone makes me laugh despite my irritation.

Jessica drops her end with a squeal. “Ow! Ugh.”

“Are you okay?” Steve asks.

She makes a pouty face. “I got a splinter.”

Steve drops their tie, stranding Kate. “We should take care of that. This is treated wood. You don’t want to leave any of it in there.” He takes her hand to examine it. “Let’s go see if they have a first aid station.”

Jess heaves a big sigh. “Oh, I’ll be fine.”

As if on cue, Steve’s gaze drops to her chest. “C’mon. I’ll help you.” Looking back at Kate and me, he steers her toward the building. “We’ll be right back.”

I watch them leave and then turn to Kate. “You up for getting these into place?”

Kate displays her work-glove-covered hands. “I’m a good Girl Scout. Always prepared.”

“I thought that was the Boy Scouts.”

“Girl Scouts can be prepared too,” she shoots back.

I hold up my hands. “Got it.”

She flaps her hands at her sides and winces. “Sorry, I’m just used to guys who think I can’t doanythingas well as they can.”

“Obviously, that’s not the case.” I walk over to pick up the tie end Steve abandoned. “Ready?”

Left alone, we actually work together quite smoothly. We finish assembling the garden bed, then Kate goes back to mixing dirt while I move the amended soil.

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