Page 123 of Into The Light
Felix claps me on the back. "If you're game, we've agreed that you can apprentice for me. I'll teach you everything I know about house building. I think you’ve got the eye for it.”
“But,” Riley puts in, “I may need you once in a while. Help catch up if we get behind."
I think about it, even though I don't have to. "I think that's fair—more than fair." I look at Felix. "I appreciate the opportunity. I won't let you down."
Felix just shakes his head. "Don't doubt it, man.” A small laugh. "You're so damn earnest, Jesus. Chill, man. You're good."
Riley cackles. "Youcallinghimearnest is rich, bro. You're the textbook definition of earnest."
They bicker like that for a while, and I let it wash over me, thinking about the future.
ONE YEAR LATER
All the otherguys have been gone for at least an hour, but I stayed behind to finish putting in the last of the tile in the laundry room. After this, cabinets and counters go in, and then it's finishing touches.
This is the third home I've done with Crowe Construction, and while I'm still the most junior member of the crew, I work the closest with Felix, learning the trade as a whole rather than becoming an expert in one particular aspect. Thus, I've gotten to spend time on each facet of homebuilding, from digging and pouring the foundation to framing, drywalling, flooring, overseeing the subcontracting of plumping and electrical, to finishing. I'm not the best at any of that, but I've memorized the legal codes as well as our particular standards and know how to spot when something's been done incorrectly or under our standards. I'm learning to read blueprints, how to spot a faulty design, how homes flow best, and how to choose the right materials in order to not scrimp on quality yet keep costs down…it's endless, and I fucking love it.
Officially, I'll still be on parole for, well, a long goddamn time, but I'm finished with Riley's program, and in addition to my position as Felix's apprentice, I also serve as Riley's inmate supervisor and liaison between our crew and the staff at Holbrook, helping Riley choose candidates for the work-releaseprogram and assisting him in monitoring their progress through the program.
Noelle found her storefront for her salon, right on Main Street near Compass at the south end of town. She just finished renovations a month ago and had her grand opening last week, having done a soft launch over the previous three weeks to iron out any kinks.
I let go of my apartment and moved in with her about two months after what will always be the most memorable night of my life; it would have been sooner, but there was a situation with the landlord. He suffered a heart attack and was forced to sell his properties so he could focus on his recovery—he was going to sell the house out from underneath her, but she managed to convince him to turn her lease into a rent-to-own, giving her time to scrounge the funds for a full purchase. Part of the negotiations included much-needed repairs she’d been after him about for months, which meant she actually moved in with me in my apartment while the repairs and renovations were underway. Once she was officially the new owner, the first thing she did was finish the basement, giving me a workout space and a temporary space for her to work out of—she left Lux Locks once the basement was done and began building her clientele in preparation for finding her storefront downtown.
All in all, it's been a hectic but productive year.
I made my first significant, adult purchase six months ago—a two-year-old Ram 2500, in cash. It's not the fanciest truck around—double cab, long bed, cloth seats, AM-FM radio—but it's clean, low mileage, with a heavy-duty tow package and a beefy diesel engine; I added a backrack, a spray-in bed liner, and upgraded tires and wheels, and now I have a truck that'll hopefully last me a good, long time.
Another reason I went for that particular truck was because I got a killer deal on it, leaving me a decent amount of cash left over.
I saved over the next month and made the second major purchase of my life, a small but significant object chosen with the assistance of her friend crew.
An object that currently sits in the center console of my truck, burning a figurative hole as I decide on the best moment to give it to her.
Or, rather, offer it to her. The yes isn't guaranteed, but I can't see her saying no.
God, I hope she says yes.
I've gone through a billion scenarios and come up with a billion ways to ask. I've planned elaborate dates at fancy restaurants across the state, destination vacation proposals, simple ones at home…nothing has felt right.
I have my earbuds in and a podcast on righting wrongful convictions playing, and I'm not expecting anyone. Therefore, I'm startled half out of my skin when I feel a tap on my shoulder.
"God, baby, I'm sorry," Noelle says, hanging on my back as I stand up. "Didn't mean to startle you."
She slides to her feet and moves around in front of me, her arms circling my neck, her lips touching mine in a soft, quick kiss.
"All good, babe. Didn't hear you." I glance at my watch. "Oh, shit. Didn't realize how late it was."
She shrugs, smiling. "It's okay. My last client went late, so I'm just now done myself." She looks around. "Got a lot done since I was last here."
I nod. "Yeah, we should be done in another month or two."
"When do you break ground in EastBroook Estates?"
"Mmmm, they're still moving dirt around. The planned timing is to be able to break ground once we're done here." Ispread the last of the grout over the tiles in front of the door's threshold. "Done in a minute, here, baby. We doing dinner at home or what?"
She doesn't answer, so I finish what I’m doing and turn to look at her—she's staring off into space, frowning thoughtfully. I decided to let her think while I finish, so I hustle the last stretch of grout, and then stand up and stretch the kinks out of my back.
She's still lost in thought, staring out the laundry room windows at nothing. She doesn't seem upset or worried, so whatever she's thinking about likely isn't bad news.
