This part of production was the oldest and most in need of refurbishing. Soon, Santiago thought as he walked the line and greeted the employees he knew. Automation would replace aging manual processes. Employees would be shifted to other divisions—the company was growing so fast, even with new computer-assisted robotics, no one would be laid off.
He and Malcolm made it a point to visit each of the warehouses every quarter, visiting at least two of the departments. That way they got to each division at least twice a year. Everything that mattered happened on the factory floor, he thought. Alberto had taught them both that.
He grabbed an inventory sheet, then went to spot-check the storage area. Keeping track of what was in the process of being created versus what was finished and waiting to be sold was an ongoing nightmare. Cost accounting had been one of his least favorite classes in college and now he had to deal with it every day. Irony, he thought with a grin. Life had a sense of humor.
As he headed for the storage area, he saw one of the first-level supervisors talking to a couple of employees and slowed his step. No big deal, he told himself, only it felt like a big deal mostly because the supervisor in question was his brother Paulo and the previous weekend when Santiago had brought his niece and nephew back home after their day together, he’d overheard Hanna and Paulo fighting.
Santiago had made a lot of noise as he’d ushered the kids in the house so Hanna and Paulo would know they weren’t alone anymore. The fight had stopped and Paulo had ducked out the back before Santiago could talk to him. From the little he’d heard, the fight was a familiar one—Hanna wanted more for her family and was working toward it. Paulo was happy right where he was and didn’t see the need to try any harder. It was a hurdle they couldn’t seem to get over.
Santiago had to admit, he was Team Hanna for this one. When Paulo had first been hired at Alberto’s Alfresco, he’d been a go-getter. He’d worked hard to get promoted, but once he made supervisor, it was as if he was done trying. Hanna, on the other hand, was about ready to graduate and become an RN. She already had a job at Overlake Hospital. Santiago couldn’t be more proud of her.
Paulo spotted him. For a half second, his brother seemed just as reluctant to have a conversation, then Paulo smiled and sauntered toward him.
“Checking on the little people to make sure we stay in our place?” Paulo asked. He smiled as he spoke, but Santiago felt the sting in the words.
“Making my usual rounds,” he said easily, refusing to engage. “Everything going okay?”
“This place runs like clockwork.”
All three brothers had dark hair and eyes. Paulo was four years younger than Santiago and about three inches shorter. Both he and Luis had their mother’s slighter build, while Santiago took after their more athletic father. Growing up, he’d been the biggest, the strongest and the fastest by far. He’d also been the oldest, giving him an unfair advantage on every level. He wondered if those were all things Paulo couldn’t ever forgive.
Paulo slapped his clipboard against his thigh. “Targets are being met, bro. You’ll get your executive bonus and be able to buy another fancy car.”
Santiago was aware of the bustle of work all around them. This was not the time to get into a family argument, but he couldn’t let his brother’s words slide.
“In here,” he said firmly, pointing to the storeroom.
For a second he thought Paulo would refuse but after muttering something under his breath, he followed Santiago into the relatively private area.
“What is your problem?” Santiago demanded. “These days you are nothing but attitude.”
“I do my job.”
“And?”
“And nothing.” Paulo’s gaze shifted. “Anything else?”
He was all bristle and bravado, Santiago thought. Just like he’d been as a kid. Paulo had wanted to be the brother good at sports, but he had neither the physical talent nor the mental toughness. He’d tried out for everything and when he hadn’t made varsity in any sport, he’d walked away and proclaimed it all a waste of time. Santiago had the feeling that was happening again.
“What is up with you?” he asked, trying to sound more interested than annoyed.
Paulo stared at him, his chin raised. Santiago half expected him to take a swing, although he had no idea why. Then his brother relaxed.
“Nothing. Nothing,” he repeated. “It’s all good here. Things are tough at home. There are bills to pay and Hanna’s on me all the time.”
“About?”
“Just stuff.” His brother’s gaze slipped to the side.
“Do you need money?”
Paulo glared at him. “No. I don’t want your money. Stop with the money. You’re rich, we all get it. Don’t you think it’s enough that you paid for my house and put my wife through college? Why don’t you just cut off my dick? Then you can be the only man.”
The venom in his brother’s voice stunned him. “What are you talking about? I’m trying to help.”
“I don’t want your help. I never asked for your help.”
“You’re being unreasonable. This is a family thing. We take care of each other.”
“No.” Paulo’s jaw tightened. “You take care of everyone else. You don’t care what we want, it’s all about you.”
“That’s not fair. Hanna wanted to go to college once the kids were in school. She always talked about it. Why is it wrong that I helped out?” He leaned close. “Don’t point the finger at me, Paulo. You had plenty of opportunities. What about your job here? You could be moving up but you won’t do the work. If you think you’re stuck, you only have yourself to blame.”
“Right.” His voice was bitter. “Let me guess. You’ll pay for me to go to college, too. Always the damn hero. That’s all you care about. As for me, I don’t give a crap.”
Paulo walked out of the storeroom. Santiago let him go. When his brother got in a mood like this, there was no arguing with him. As for being the hero, Santiago was willing to admit to that. He took care of his family, he made sure they were all looked after and he knew exactly when that had first started.
His dad had died when Santiago had been eight. At first the family had done okay, but after a couple of years, money had gotten tight. The spring Santiago turned twelve, he’d hurt himself cutting asparagus for a local farmer. The ER visit had cost a few thousand dollars and the family didn’t have insurance. He remembered hearing his mother crying when she thought everyone was asleep. There was no way to raise the money.
A week later, he’d seen a receipt for the bill—it had been marked Paid. A week after that, the same farmer had stopped by to talk to his mother.
There had been something in his mother’s voice—a controlled loathing and resentment that only Santiago had spotted. When the man had left, Santiago had tried to talk to his mother about the farmer. Why had he been there and what did he want?
Something he can’t have again.
Her words hadn’t made sense for a long time, but eventually Santiago had put the pieces together. His mother had slept with the much older man to pay the medical bill. She’d been forced to do that to take care of her son. It was all his fault.
At that moment, shame had brought him to his knees. He’d vowed he would do everything he could to take care of his own. He’d gotten serious about football and despite a minor learning disability, he’d done his best in school. He was his family’s ticket out. It wasn’t so much being a hero as making sure he never hurt his mother that way again.
These days everyone was taken care of. There was a family trust and good medical coverage and plenty of insurance. He’d been blessed and he was generous with those he loved. As for Paulo, he could see it however he wanted. Santiago knew the truth.
* * *
Callie couldn’t believe how long the days had become. She was used to working two jobs and having almost no time to herself. But since arriving in Seattle, she’d done exactly nothing. Saturday and Sunday hadn’t been so bad. She’d hung out with Keira, explored the house and figured out how to use her new electronics, had lunch with her grandfather. Then it had gotten hard. Monday had been a nightmare of nothing to do. Yes, she could text anyone, but it wasn’t as if she had a bunch of friends. She had nothing to look up online, nothing to do, which left her restless, confused and more than a little anxious. By Wednesday morning, she knew she had to figure out a game plan.
She’d explored the neighborhood as much as she could and had figured out the bus schedule. She’d caught a ride to Target with Carmen and had bought a decent jacket and boots, although the cost had nearly made her weep. Even so, she’d indulged in a pair of faux Uggs that had made her heart beat faster just to look at them. Her poor savings account, she thought grimly. It was gasping for air. She knew she would need more clothes, things like sweaters and jeans, but she couldn’t think about that. Not when she had more pressing matters. She needed to get a job.
She went down to breakfast early enough to see Keira before she left for school. Unfortunately that meant dealing with Malcolm, but since their, ah, discussion Monday morning about her needing a car, things had been quiet between them.