Cheryl laughed.You don’t need to tell me he’s stubborn.I raised him for over eighteen years.But he’s also a good man, and I love that he’s done so well on his own.
He has.I guess I want to make things easier for him when it comes to reading.It’s one of my favorite activities, but I know he hates books or reading of any kind.I don’t like that he gets so frustrated or feels poorly about himself.
Cheryl reached out and tugged her into an embrace.When they let go, she signed,It’s wonderful how much you care about my son.Makes me glad the two of you have moved in together.
The expression on Cheryl’s face was impish, like she was insinuating there was more between them than simply living in the same apartment.Oh, no, we’re merely friends.Good friends, but friends only.And that half, almost, sort of kiss thing they did yesterday wasn’t clogging up her brain with thoughts of being more.
The tiny grin that played about Cheryl’s mouth let her know they weren’t fooling anyone.We all need as many good friends as we can get.
True, but why did she never want to press her lips on any guy’s lips, except Evan’s?The memory and feel of his lips connected to hers wouldn’t leave her alone.
The phone in Evan’s pocket vibrated right as he was shutting down the backhoe for the day.When he checked it, Vince, his boss, had sent a text.
—Come see me before you punch out.—
Crap.He hoped he hadn’t done something wrong.He might be a jokester at times, but he was dead serious about his job.Playing around on the equipment could be deadly to the user and anyone in the vicinity.
Once he’d followed all the safety protocols, he headed to the trailer that housed the office for this project.Vince sat at his desk, so Evan turned in his keys in the correct location, then faced his boss.
“What’s up?”If it was only a few words, Vince usually understood him.Anything more and they used a phone app for voice to text.When his phone was scrolled through and Vince spoke into it, Evan started to sweat.It would be a longer conversation.
Vince sent the text to Evan’s phone.He scrolled to what had been written.
—We’ve got a new applicant for the job, and he’s deaf.—
“You want me to interpret?”That made him nervous.He didn’t want to be responsible for another person not getting a position with the company.
Vince spoke into his phone again, then sent it.—No.We had an interpreter for the interview and decided to hire the man.I want to ask if you’d be willing to be this new person’s mentor?You’d actually be in a supervisory role and make sure he learns the equipment and follows our rules for safety and quality.—
He wanted him to supervise another employee?That wasn’t what he’d expected.
Evan typed a response on his own phone.—Sure.How long will it take?—
Vince lifted one shoulder.—At least a few months or maybe more to learn our routine.Then, it depends on how fast he picks up the equipment.He’ll do grunt work at first, like you all did.Shoveling up the loose gravel and dirt and any other cleanup.—
—Okay.You don’t really need a Deaf person to show someone how to shovel, but I’m happy to give him the basics of the job so there’s nothing lost in translation, then teach him how to use the equipment.—
Vince smiled and nodded.—Good.I appreciate the help.I think it’ll go smoother with someone who speaks his language.—
Evan tapped away.—When does he start?—
—It’ll be at least a month.He needs to give notice at his previous job.I’ll have him working on the same projects as you.—
Evan forced a smile.—What happens to me if this new guy takes all my jobs?—
Vince laughed.—Like there’s not enough work to do around the jobsite.I was also hoping to get you to train on some of the bigger equipment.Have you thought about taking the level two test?You have the instruction guide, right?—
Oh, geesh.Why did everything seem to come back around to that stupid book and his inability to read it?Sure, his Pops had helped him figure out some of the math and measurement stuff, but the book was enormous.
—I’ve got it.I skim through it every now and then.— Maybe he’d have to take Mercedes up on her offer to help him with it like she’d suggested.He hated the thought of appearing dumb when she realized how much of the book he couldn’t understand.
Vince frowned.—Do more than glance at it.You’ve got an excellent work ethic and seem to have good intuition to operate most any of the machines.You show up for work on time, put in over a hundred percent, and never ask for any kind of special treatment.That says a lot about your character.—
“Thanks.”Evan wasn’t sure what else to say to the enormous compliment.He’d been told he did good work before, but it had never been spelled out quite like this.It felt good.
Vince spoke into this phone again.—You’ve gone as far as you can on the machines you currently operate.Which is fine because we always need someone to use them.I could really use a man of your skill on some of the larger equipment.Bigger machines mean bigger money.—
If he could just get past the test.
