Chapter 4 - THE SINGLE FATHER WHO LOST EVERYTHING
Cal lived in a small rented duplex on the edge of town.
I learned that two days later.
Not because I followed him.
Because he called to ask whether I'd received the inspection photographs he emailed.
We met at a public library.
Lucy insisted on coming.
Noah was there too, sitting at a table with a math workbook.
The children immediately began arguing about whether dinosaurs could swim.
Cal looked apologetic.
“Sorry.”
I smiled.
“She's been arguing since birth.”
He laughed.
We sat across from each other.
I studied him.
“Can I ask you something personal?”
He hesitated.
“Depends.”
“Why are you having such a hard time financially?”
His expression changed.
I immediately regretted asking.
“I'm sorry.”
He shook his head.
“No. It's fair.”
He looked toward Noah.
“My wife died two years ago.”
My heart tightened.
“I'm sorry.”
“Cancer.”
He swallowed.
“She was thirty-four.”
I looked down.
Cal continued.
“We had insurance. But not enough.”
I knew that story.
Too many families did.
“Then I missed work while she was sick.”
He rubbed his hands together.
“After she died, I took whatever jobs I could find.”
I looked at his jacket.
“The diner project?”
He nodded.
“It was supposed to help us catch up.”
“But you got fired.”
“Yes.”
I swallowed.
“And now?”
He gave a small smile.
“Now I'm looking.”
I studied him.
“Why didn't you just sign the paperwork?”
His expression became serious.
“Because I know what happens when people pretend unsafe structures are safe.”
He touched the scar beneath his ear.
I looked at it.
“What happened?”
He hesitated.
“An accident.”
I waited.
He looked toward Noah.
“Five years ago, a temporary support failed at a construction site.”
My stomach tightened.
“Were you hurt?”
“Yes.”
“Anyone else?”
Cal's face changed.
He looked down.
“Three men.”
I swallowed.
“Did they survive?”
He shook his head.
“No.”
Silence settled between us.
May you like
Then Cal said:
“I don't sign things I know are wrong.”
