“You got it.”
He pulled out, leaving me to put my helmet on and cruise over to my place.
Adam had gotten my number from Roger and texted me to ask where the burger joint was. I messaged him back with the address, and now I sat in the parking lot waiting for him to show up. I’d also texted Kat before I’d taken my shower to tell her where I was going to be. I never heard back from her, but Beaver had let me know that she was okay and dealing with the usual customers. I wasn’t pleased that she didn’t respond, but we could talk about it later. Lights flashed across my face as the now familiar black Tahoe turned into the space next to me. Adam stepped out and approached me with an easy going smile.
“Greased Up, huh? Sounds… appetizing?”
I chuckled. “Shut up, you’ll like it.”
We made our way into the restaurant and took a seat at a booth in the back corner. After we ordered our food, we started talking about anything and everything. We reminisced about our days playing football, and how he had gone off to college and joined a fraternity because his dad had belonged to it. He said he had hated every minute of it and all of the guys were a bunch of douchebags. That little bit made me laugh because I couldn’t help but think it was a case of the pot calling the kettle black. The world had a way of bringing things full circle and Adam more than likely had gotten a taste of his own medicine.
He asked me all sorts of questions about my dad and how he was doing in Houston. I told him about Alice and that I felt she was going to be good for him. Adam seemed pleased he was doing well. He gingerly asked about my time in Iraq, and I told him he didn’t need to tip toe; I’d tell him whatever he wanted to know. I hadn’t realized until that moment just how much Kat had helped me heal. Before, if anyone had asked me about the Army, I would withdraw and give short answers. Now, I was genuinely okay answering anything that he wanted to know. Granted, I spared him the details that I’d told her, but he understood and nodded his head as I spoke.
“Wow, sorry about your loss. I’m sure it was rough.”
“It was. It’s still hard to think about, but I take it day by day.”
“So are you done with the Army now? Can they call you back up?”
“Nah, my contract is finished. The military has plenty of other people volunteering to go. A lot think that the benefits we’re given are worth the possibility of not coming home. Like guys that are married and have kids but no medical benefits. They think it’s good for their families.”
“Well, I commend you for serving. You made a huge sacrifice by going over there.”
“Thanks, man.”
Our food came out and we dug in. Adam literally ate his words because he said it was one of the best burgers he’d ever had. We ate in silence until our plates were clear, then we both sat back, totally full.
“So, I have a few questions to ask you.”
“Shoot.”
I figured it was best to just come out with it. “Did you already know it was me before I was given that over the top raise, or was it something that I’d actually earned?”
Adam leaned forward and steepled his fingers under his chin. “Both. Slim had told me how hard of a worker you were, and that you were innovative and caught on to the job quickly despite never working in an oil field before. It piqued my interest, so I did some digging. When I found out it was you, it seemed only right to give you the raise. I was already going to tack on some extra money prior to knowing, but it ended up just solidifying my decision.”
I thought about what he said. “Why so much, though?”
He sighed. “Okay, truth. It was never going to be that much money. But I increased the amount because I figured you needed it. And before you go blowing up on some macho power trip, I’m not taking it back. I’ve seen the figures, Timber. You’ve helped production and I’ve implemented some of your techniques out in my other fields.”
Even after all these years, he knew me well. I didn’t want to take the money knowing that he never had intentions of passing down that much. I wasn’t a charity case, and I certainly didn’t need the money because he felt sorry for me. Almost every penny that I’d earned while overseas was put away and did nothing but earned interest in some CD’s and other various accounts. I could live just fine on that money for quite a while; Kat included, if need be. However, the look on his face told me that he truly agreed with whatever Slim had told him about me.
“Look, man, I appreciate that you were willing to be so generous, but doubling my salary was over the top.”
“Would you have questioned it, if you hadn’t found out it was me?”