After what feels like forever, Greg brushes past him on the building side of the second floor outside walkway and thunders down the stairs.
“When he knocked on the door, I thought it was you,” I explain.
Sayer nods and looks at my door. “We’ll pick up a spyhole and deadbolt at the hardware store. You ready?”
“Yes. Can I treat you to a ‘to go’ coffee from the coffee shop?”
He smiles. “Would that be the same coffee shop where I just dropped off Dad and Ayla?”
“Probably. It’s pretty popular.”
“Seems to be Dad’s favorite place. He’s got at least three of their traveler tumblers. And there seems to be a lot of their disposable cups in the trash.”
I’ve noticed his father there a lot myself but keep my suspicions to myself. Typical small town, everyone has their nose in everyone else’s business. It’s slowly changing with new people moving in, but the old timers are as bad as ever. “They’vegot a drive-up window in the back which will be quicker, or we can go in if you want to check on your dad and daughter.”
I can tell he’s considering it, before he shakes his head. “Naw, he’s got this. He said they’re going to the library, too. If we make good time we can pick up lunch and bring it back with us. He’ll call if something comes up.”
The thirty-minute ride is quiet, yet somehow companionable with softly playing country music and our beverages of choice. As we near our destination, he finally speaks up.
“I talked to a buddy last night who has his own business. I know what computer and size we want, and he recommended a good printer. Online the store said they have both in stock. You mentioned QuickBooks for accounting and payroll. He agreed, but he said we should get the mobile time system that also tracks location. He gave me the name of his favorite.” He glances my way.
“I agree. You’ll spend more but waste less. The more crews you have the more helpful it will be. It’s good for them and for you.”
“I don’t know these systems. It will take me awhile to catch up and with Dad taking off for a month it may have to wait till he gets back. I feel like I’m dumping a lot on you.”
“I trained on all of this software. I know it. I even helped the instructor in class with some of the other students that were having issues. This will be easy for me. We can do this.”
He nods. “I figured you could handle it. I remember you graduated high school with honors.”
I deliberately take a swallow of my coffee.He remembered?My own family didn’t remember or even come to graduation. Mom was high and passed out at home. My sister was partying with friends.
We go to the computer store first and are able to get all the electronics and software he has on his list. He insists on gettingme a company cell phone. Next stop is a furniture store where he makes me try out a half dozen desks and even more chairs to make sure they’re comfortable. As we’re walking out, he pauses at the children’s section. They have a miniature table and chair.
He stares at it so long I finally interrupt. “What are you thinking, Sayer?”
“Sh—she doesn’t have much. In the beginning it was all about getting her clothes and necessities. Then I got her some books, a couple stuffed toys and blocks before we moved. Dad doesn’t have anything. I have no idea what I’m doing.”
“Were you deployed?” When he still doesn’t answer I try again. “D—did your wife die?”
He slips his hand under my elbow. “We need to get to the loading dock. They’ll be waiting for us.”
CHAPTER 5
Sayer
After they load everything into the back of my truck, I glance at my watch. Hell, it’s already lunch time. I text Dad and he replies everything is under control. He and Ayla are having lunch with a friend of his.
“How about some lunch before we head back. Today’s your official hire date, by the way.”
She smiles. “Lunch sounds good. I know the perfect place.”
She directs me to a quiet little mom and pop place with good old-fashioned home cooking. I order chicken fried steak with French fries and a salad, she gets a Caesar salad. I study my iced tea and the ring it makes on the napkin. She waits quietly.
“Ayla is my daughter. But I didn’t know about her until just a few months ago. Her mother was an addict who supported her habit with sex.” I look her in the eye. “I met her at a party. We’d just come back from a rough mission. We’d lost some guys. I got drunk trying to forget. It’s no excuse, and that’s not how I normally handle things.
“A few months ago, her mother tried to shake me down for money. That’s when she told me the baby was mine. A DNA test proved I was the father of the two and a half little girl. I wastrying to get full custody. Ayla wasn’t abused perse, but she was neglected. She’s behind on her speech and social interactions. Social services and the courts got involved. Then the mother died of an overdose.
“I applied for a separation from the Army and signed up for the reserves to keep my years of service and pension. Along with everything else going on at the time, Dad had a small heart attack. The doctors say it was minor, but… I can’t lose him. I need to take more of the load off his shoulders.” I glance out the window and give myself a mental shake before continuing.
