Chapter 117: Jack
*If you light a lamp for somebody, it will also brighten your path. – Buddha*
Willow looked outside at the pouring rain and shivered. It was an early spring rain that was cold and hard. Rubbing a hand over her very rounded belly, she turned away from the large window adjacent to her desk.
When Reese decided that they would have an actual office, he found an older building. It was what he liked. It was just his way. He loved to take something old and mold it into something new.
At the turn of the century, this building had held a dry goods store and greengrocer. The old dry goods counter sat across from her with brochures, flyers, testimonials and three small screens showing before and after pictures from each of the three companies.
The large window that used to hold a display of dry goods now had topsoil and construction equipment toys. The children that came in always eyed it with longing and when Willow would tell them that they could play, they would light up.
A long bench sat in front of it helping the younger ones to reach the bright yellow toys. Willow smiled as she thought about some of the big, burly, bad assed men that worked for Reese who would sit down with kids and play. Reese would simply grin and tell her the same thing that her own mother had said.
“When a two-year-old hands you a play phone, you answer it.”
These rough men, they answered that play phone. And made put-put-put and grrrrr noises for the toy equipment. Completed with beeps when they were backing up.
The wind picked up outside and she shivered again. It must be cold in the office because even her little internal radiator wasn’t keeping her sweating today. Willow stood up and stretched before rubbing her lower back with hands. Then she waddled into Reese’s office to turn the heat up a little bit. Her long mint green maternity dress hung down to her feet that were in flip-flops that she could only hope matched each other if not her dress.
While she was in the rarely used office, the front door opened.
“Be right there!” Willow called out cheerily.
Walking out into the main area she saw a homeless man who was drenched down to the bone. She gave him a smile and stepped inside a small side room. Coming back out with a large towel she handed it over to him.
Immediately, he began to wipe up the white tile floor.
“Sir,” Willow said, placing a hand on his shoulder, “that was for you. Don’t worry about the floor.”
He looked up, confused at her kindness and the gentle touch.
“Ma’am, you don’t need-“
“I won’t.” She smiled at him. “I am very spoiled here. Rosie, wet clean up by the front door.”
The small white robotic vacuum moved off its base and towards the front door. As the little robot did its job, Willow guided him further into the office. As she turned, she saw the sad looking, equally wet dog sitting just outside the door. A tattered backpack sat next to the dog. Willow walked over to the door and opened it.
“Get in here, you sweet thing.” She told the dog as she moved to get the backpack.
“I’ll get that.” The man said as he moved past her and grabbed the bag.
“I think, the first thing you two need, is a warm shower.” Willow told him and moved to the side hallway that led to the back of the office. She opened the door to the laundry room that she had insisted on. Company uniforms were expertly folded and tucked into cubbies. She looked at him from head to toe.
She grabbed a black medium O.A. Reese Construction shirt, a pair of khaki cargo pants and a size twelve steel toe boots. “There’s underwear and socks in the file cabinets. If I gave you the wrong sizes, just find what you need. There’s a shower room across the hall, has everything that you need. I’ll go call Reese and let him know you’re here.”
“Thank you, Miss.” He said quietly.
“Jack, you can just call me Willow.” She gave him another warm smile and then went back to her desk and called Reese from her cell phone.
“Hey, princess.” He answered and she could hear his engine purring in the background.
“Guess who came in?” She smiled as she began to enter information into the computer.
“Since IGYS called and told me that there was a homeless man at the office, I’m hoping Jack.”
“And you would be correct. I gave him an O.A. Reese uniform and sent him for a shower. He has an adorable little dog. Oh! I forgot to tell him to use the washer and dryer.”
“I’m sure we can take care of it.” Reese laughed.
Willow smiled as she heard the crackling greeting of “Welcome to McDonald’s” coming across the line. She waited patiently while he placed a large order.
“Some of those nuggies better be for me.” Willow grinned as Rosie finally returned to her docking station.
“You can have all the nuggies you want.” Reese confirmed.
“You’re the best.”
“Duh.” He agreed and the person at the window gave him his total. “Is there anyone staying upstairs?”
“Jenson and Williams.” She replied with a smile. “I’ll have them come in.”
She used her program on the computer and sent a message to both men on their work phones and then to their supervisors. Willow laughed as she heard the woman at the window flirting with Reese as she handed over the food.
“Poor thing, thought she was going to land herself a millionaire in the drive-thru.” Willow laughed as her computer dinged. “Jenson is upstairs because outside construction was called due to lightning. He’s taking a shower and then will be down.”
“You’re the best.” He told her over the phone.
“Duh.” She said with a laugh.
“Go ahead and shut down all outside and electrical work for tomorrow.” Reese ordered. “It’s supposed to get worse overnight. You know what? Go ahead and call the week. If it gets as bad as they’re saying, we won’t be able to do anything unless the property is already dried-in.”
“Yeah. Concrete work had to be postponed until next week.” She agreed as she sent out a mass message. “You know they’re going to ask…”
“I’m calling it, so yes, they will get paid for the full week. Why is this still even a question?”
“Because most construction companies don’t. If you don’t work, you don’t get paid. That’s the way it is with trades.”
“Yeah, well, if my crew can’t work because they were out in the weather working on my jobsite and get sick, that makes me a shitty boss. And an even worse person.” He sighed angrily. “Either way, it doesn't make good business sense. Can you buzz the back door for me?”
“Yes, Do you need help?”
“I live with a pregnant woman and two teenage athletes. You think I can’t carry a few bags of fast food?” he growled with a little laugh just before he hung up.
Willow laughed as she pulled up the back camera on her computer. She watched as he pulled into the gated back lot and then his preferred spot. He gathered the bags and drink carrier before dashing for the back door. As he reached the door, she pushed the button that unlocked the door and popped it open just far enough for him to get his foot in the door.
She could hear masculine voices getting closer as Reese came down the hall with Jack.
“Willow, you want your nuggies out there? Or you want to join us in the conference room?” Reese asked holding the bag and sweet tea out for her.
“Can I get a foot rub?” she asked hopefully.
Jenson chuckled behind Reese. “When has he ever told a princess no?”
“You’d be surprised.” She smiled as she waddled into the conference room.
After they ate with companionable conversations, Reese motioned for Willow to put her feet in his lap.
“Here’s the deal, Jack.” Reese said looking at the man. “I believe in second chances. I’ll give you the opportunity to get off the street. These two were in similar situations.”
Jenson and Williams both nodded.
“But you will work your ass off for me. If you can do that. You have a job and a place to stay for six months. After that, we’ll evaluate your employment.”
Jack nodded.
"No drugs. No alcohol. No issues with the law." Reese said and Jack nodded again. "Good. Jenson will help you get situated. Willow, give him an advance on his first check."
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