Page 53 of Seasoned
This damn boy…
“I’m sorry.” Daniel shoved his hands in his pockets. “I know you guys are worried about us, and I feel awful about it, but I don’t want you to worry.”
Hector forced himself to concentrate on his son’s crestfallen face.
“I went looking for a job today, but then I had a thought.” He glanced at Hector. “Dad, I was wondering if you and I could talk?”
His request surprised Hector and he frowned in confusion. “Sure,” he said, standing.
“Outside. No offense, Mom. This is a man-to-man conversation.”
“Oh.” Adelaide looked between them. “Go ahead.”
“I’ll, uh…call you later about what we were talking about,” Hector said to Adelaide.
She nodded vigorously and didn’t quite look at him. “Of course. Sounds good.”
Hector picked up the computer and she stepped aside, giving much more room than he needed. He followed his son out to the driveway and put the computer in the car. Then he leaned back against the driver door and folded his arms. “What’s going on?”
Daniel inhaled and released a deep breath. “I’ve been thinking about all my responsibilities now that I’m going to be a father. I definitely need a job, and I was wondering…if I could come to work with you.”
“With me?”
“Yeah. I mean, I need a job.” Daniel bit into his bottom lip.
Hector had always wanted his kids to show an interest in his business, but none of them had. The two oldest chose artistic pursuits that had taken them away from the family. But Daniel, the one he thought would be the least likely to work with him, unexpectedly expressed an interest.
“You understand that if you work with me, I expect you to work?”
“I know.”
“And other than mowing lawns, you’ve never had a job before.”
Daniel stood up straighter. “I know, but I’m ready to work. I want to. I want to…work with you.”
“Work with me?” The conversation had gone in an unexpected direction.
“I’ve kind of always wanted to, but I didn’t think you would want me to.”
Hector unfolded his arms. “What makes you say that?”
Daniel scuffed his tennis shoes against the driveway. “I know what you think about me, Dad. You think I’m lazy and I screw up all the time.”
“Danny…”
“No, you’re right. I have been kinda lazy, and I have screwed up. I disappointed you and Mom, and I feel bad about that. But the truth is, I was always kinda interested in Solar Beams, but I didn’t know how to tell you. And honestly, I figured you would say no if I asked to come work with you.”
“I had no idea you were interested in working in the business with me.”
“I kind of hinted at it, but you didn’t pick up on my interest,” he said, looking a little embarrassed.
Hector laughed a little. “Son, I’m not good with hints. You have to come right out and tell me something if you want me to get it. A lot of times, I’m in my own world because I’m so busy.”
Daniel nodded. “True.”
The way he said that one word gave Hector pause. “What does that mean?”
Daniel hesitated at first, then replied, “Well, I was thinking about you and Mom. How things were before you split, you know? She was lonely, but I could tell you didn’t notice. I don’t know if she always was, but I noticed it the past couple of years for sure.”
