Chapter 11 - THE FIRST TIME I SAW CAL ANGRY
The accident happened on a Tuesday.
Not at Miller's Corner.
At another construction site.
A subcontractor ignored a temporary safety barrier and sent workers into an area that had not been cleared.
Cal arrived during an inspection.
He ordered the work stopped.
The site supervisor argued.
Threatened him.
Called him incompetent.
Cal refused to back down.
The supervisor shoved him.
Cal stumbled against a railing.
But he didn't retaliate.
He called site security.
Then documented everything.
When I arrived, he was sitting in the medical office with an ice pack against his shoulder.
I stared.
“What happened?”
He looked up.
“Bad day.”
I sat beside him.
“Are you okay?”
He nodded.
“Mostly.”
I studied his face.
He looked angry.
Not explosive.
Not reckless.
Controlled.
“Why didn't you hit him back?”
He looked at me.
“Because Noah needs me.”
My throat tightened.
He continued.
“And because I don't want to be the kind of man who solves every problem with his fists.”
I smiled faintly.
“Lucy would approve.”
May you like
He laughed.
“She would.”
