UNDER CONSTRUCTION, CHAPTER 23

             First thing New Year’s Day morning, Charlie and Adam called both sets of parents to let them know they were officially engaged. Adam’s parents were ready to get on a plane and come down for a visit and to meet Charlie’s family. And, of course, Charlie’s mom wanted to begin planning the event immediately, but they managed to put her off by telling her that Adam’s parents were going to come visit and then they’d all get together to look at calendars and plan. Once they were off the phone, Charlie snuggled up to Adam and laughingly said, “Knowing mom, she’s up in the attic looking at the baby furniture she’s been hoarding forever.”

“Well Charlie, we’re not getting any younger, and we don’t want to be old and feeble when our kids are still young enough to be running around the house. We’d never be able to keep up.”

“I know, but I’d like us to at least be married for a little while before we bring another person into our lives. Plus, there’s no way we could live in my little house because it’s too small and this cabin is even smaller.”

“I’ve thought about that too and have the perfect solution.”

“Oh really, and what would that be.”

“I know neither of us would really want to move away from the lake. We both like it here, so my idea is to either completely tear this cabin down or remodel it, using all the ideas you used on your house except I’d want all the electronic stuff included. I know you left most of that out.”

“Yeah, I did but that was because I really felt my phone would be all the electronics I’d need. I guess you’d need some fast speeds for your computer, plus I guess we’d need to ere on the side of security if we’re going to have children.”

“Maybe we could do some making children practice?”

“After last night, you’re ready to go again?” Charlie laughed and jumped off the couch before Adam could stop her. “Nope, no practice today. I’ve got some places to go, people to see and things to do.”

“How can that be. It’s a holiday.”

“Well, first I have to go see Sandi and show her my new ring. She was gaga over my Christmas present, but wait until she sees this.” Charlie held out her hand and spread her fingers. “She’ll be just like mom, wanting to talk about plans right away, so I’ll probably be there for a bit. I was her maid of honor and she’ll be mine even though she’s no longer a maid.”

“Can’t we just elope?” Adam asked plaintively. “I went through the weddings for my sister and brother and cannot imagine being center stage for one of those huge events.”

“Nope, if we were to elope, my mamma, and maybe my daddy too, would string you up from the nearest tree. As their only child and a girl, there’s no way we’re getting out of a huge event, so you’re just going to have to suck it up and participate as best you can. You can start while I’m gone by thinking of who you want to stand with you and how many. I can only have as many women as you have men.”

“That’s fine then because I’ll just have Matt and that’s all.”

“Sorry Adam, you’re going to have to do better than that. I imagine mamma’s thinking no less than four bridesmaids, so besides Matt, you need four more guys.”

Adam groaned and pulled a pillow over his face, muttering, “Oh my Lord, what have I done? I may live to regret asking you to marry me.”

“Now, honeybunch, don’t be that way,” Charlie responded, pulling the pillow away and giving him a serious kiss. “You know now you have me, you couldn’t possibly live without me.”

Adam tried to turn the kiss into something more, but Charlie straightened up and told him, “You know the reward is always worth the wait. See you in time for dinner.”

Before going to Sandi’s, Charlie went by her parents to show them she really had an engagement ring. It took a bit longer than she planned because her mamma wanted to talk about guest lists. Charlie got away by finally telling her to put one together and she’d look at it later on.

It also took a bit of time at Sandi’s because after she’d admired and oooohed and aaaaahed over the ring, they had to reminisce about the ideas they’d had during all the years of their friendship about the wedding they’d each have some day. Sandi had pretty much stuck with all her original ideas and made them come true. Her wedding was perfect and exactly what she’d dreamed of and wanted. Charlie had always had more than one idea about how she’d get married, so they had to talk about which one was top of the list now. Charlie assured Sandi she would be invited to the big planning meeting when it happened, if for no other reason than to help Charlie keep her mother in check…if that was even possible.

Finally, Charlie was able to go on her way and stopped by the office. She hadn’t been in the last few days and Stephanie had called and told her that Jessie had sent her a large packet of photos and information. She wanted to look at the material and maybe take it home with her. The first phone call when the office opened the next day would be to Jessie. She wanted to make sure she was ready for that because if all was in order, she’d most likely have to go spend some time in Texas. Lord, she thought, a wedding and a huge project out of state. It was going to be some kind of year all right.

Back home, Adam had dinner ready and surprised Charlie with the dish most southerners usually began the year. He’d found a recipe for Hoppin’ John and prepared that as well as collard greens and cornbread. Each item stood for something in the new year. Cornbread represented gold and eating that meant you’d have some spending money. Collard greens were green and stood for luck and money. Without them, you’d run out of luck in no time. Hoppin’ John was made with black-eyed peas, rice and ham. It consisted of all that is good on New Year’s Day and represents a big pot of money.

For someone who’d never cooked these southern dishes before, Adam did a bang-up job. “Don’t be telling mamma this, but your Hoppin’ John is better than hers. I don’t know what you did that she doesn’t, but I like that little bit of spice in there. Gives my tongue a nice tang.”

“My lips are sealed provided you’re a good girl.”

“Adam, don’t you know by now that I’m always always good. That’s how I was raised. And, thank you for making these for us today. The way the year seems to be shaping up with our wedding and the project in Texas, we’re going to need all the money and luck we can get our hands on.”

“Don’t forget about remodeling or rebuilding this place, so we have some place to live.”

“Do we have to work on that now? Can’t we wait until at least the wedding has come and gone?”

“Nope. I’m going to call Terrance tomorrow and get him on the calendar to talk about whether we remove and build new or remodel.”

“But he’s going to have to go to Texas, probably in the next two weeks.”

“What’s one afternoon of his time? I won’t expect him to have the plans done right away. I’ll give him until the end of the month.”

Charlie caught Adam’s grin and threw the dishtowel at him. “You’re just funnin’ me Adam. I can tell. But, if you want to work on getting this project started, you can go right ahead. Whatever you and Terrance decide, he’ll run it by me anyway.”

“So, I don’t get the last word? I mean, it is my cabin.”

“How about we discuss it when the time comes and if I can’t sway you to my way of thinking, then you’ll get the last word.” Charlie responded, going to sit on his lap and blow in his ear.

“Aha, so that’s how you think you’ll manipulate me is it Charlie-girl?” Adam put one arm beneath her legs and stood up. He carted her off to the bedroom and they’d once again enjoyed great sex, Adam left her sleeping to go out and clean up the kitchen. He hated getting up to a mess in the mornings.

The first week of the new year was indeed busy. Charlie talked to Jessie and made plans for her and Terrance to visit Texas the following week. When she announced that at home, Adam went online and made reservations for himself so he could go along. Charlie wasn’t too sure how that would work, but guessed they’d find out first thing and if it wasn’t to Adam’s liking, then he could stay home on subsequent trips. Aside from that, she met with all of her foremen to review each project and make sure things were going smoothly. Charlie also drafted her dad to be on call for any real problems. He absolutely loved that idea and Charlie kinda wondered if she hadn’t made a mistake and would come back to find him knee-deep in the business again.

Based on the information Jessie had sent, Terrance had already prepared some sketches of various ideas about how the house would look when finished. Jessie had been smart enough to get the property surveyed, so he wouldn’t have to wait for that information prior to applying for the various permits. He figured he’d only need to be there for a couple of days to get some measurements and then he’d be ready to go back and draw up preliminary plans.

Charlie would need to stay longer because she was going to have to not only meet with Jessie a number of times to make sure she had all the information she needed with regard to design, landscape and other essentials Jessie would want for herself and her family. The more decisions could be locked in before building began, the smoother the project would move.

The other work Charlie needed to accomplish was to choose a construction company that would actually do the work. For that purpose, she would need a company that had employees who worked with women or who would be willing to work with her as a boss. She also needed a company that wouldn’t change from the course she set when she had to return home. She needed to be able to trust the man in charge. She set about interviewing the heads of the three top construction companies in town.

The good old boy she met with from the first company pretty much had Charlie crossing him off her list before the interview was finished. He acted as though she was an empty-headed girl who’d have no idea what she wanted or even what a two by four was. No way would him or his company work out.

The next two companies sent younger men to the interviews and Charlie felt she’d be able to trust and work with either one based on the information exchanged. But, the choice-factor would rest on Charlie spending a day with one of their construction crews. When she explained her desire to work for one day at a building site of each man’s choice, each one accepted the idea.

Bright and early on a Monday morning, Charlie showed up at a site where a four-story structure was moving toward the half-way point of being finished. She knew the boss and most likely all of the workers were watching as she climbed out of her car. She leaned back in and pulled out her well-born toolbelt and strapped it around her waist. She was dressed in a tank-top, jeans and boots with her hair coming out the back of her baseball cap.

She walked up to the boss and said, “Here I am, ready for work. Where or with who do you want me to start?”

“Morning Charlie. This here’s Hector. He’ll be your work-buddy today and have you doing a variety of chores.”

Charlie extended her hand. “Howdy Hector, it’s nice to meet you. And, as long as you have me doing real work, not just cleaning up, we’ll get along just fine.”

Hector led Charlie off into the building and she spent the next eight hours helping with framing on the top floor, installation of wallboard on the bottom floor and other miscellaneous carpentry work. In the process, she was able to talk to Hector and many of the other workers about the company and their jobs. She was a little shocked to find out quite a number of the workers, including Hector could be called illegals. She didn’t like that and wondered just how much less they were paid in comparison to the resident Americans. Still, everyone appeared to work well together and neither time nor effort was wasted.

Charlie repeated the exercise on Wednesday for the other company. Her greeting and introduction were a bit different. She arrived, as she had on Monday, about 15 minutes early, strapped on her toolbelt and walked over to Hoss, the construction boss. She still had trouble believing that was really his name, but that’s what he’d told her to call him.

“Howdy boss. I’m here, ready to work.”

“I see that, Charlie. First, I’d like to introduce you to the crew you’ll be working with today.” The employees hadn’t yet gone off to their various jobs on what appeared to be the construction of a very large house. They were milling around, coffee cups or water bottles in hand. Hoss went through all the names and Charlie shook hands with e ach one. Not too many said more than “Morning,” except for Nick who she thought might be the foreman. “Mornin’ Mam, looks like that toolbelt of yours has seen some hard work.”

“It’s not the one my daddy gave me when I was 10. I outgrew it once I gained these hips, but he bought me a new one and I’ve used it ever since. I look forward to working with y’all today and please don’t hesitate to speak up if I’m in the process of screwing somethin’ up. I’d appreciate the advice.”

“Okay,” Hoss said, “Let’s get busy. This place ain’t gonna get done if we just keep looking at it.”

Charlie went off with Nick who climbed up the ladder to the roof. “We’re hoping to get this roof done today, then it won’t be quite so hot for those working inside. Hope you’re wearing sunscreen.”

“Of course, and I have more in my lunchbox if needed. Now, what do you want me to do.”

Nick handed her a nail gun and pointed toward a stack of shingles. “Why don’t you get those locked down while I work on the other section.”

Charlie scrambled around the roof, hauling shingles to where she needed them and nailing them in place. It was hot and tiring work, but it was something she’d been doing forever. She’d almost finished her section when Nick called a break. “Think we need to sit in the shade and suck down some water. Working in the sun like this can really dehydrate a body.”

“I’m ready for a big drink,” Charlie responded, pulling up her tank-top to wipe her face.

They climbed down the ladder, grabbed some water bottles from a cooler and went to sit in the shade. “Got to admit I wasn’t too sure about having you up on the roof even though Hoss said you were experienced. There’s a few other women who work for the company, but they mainly do finish work. You’re quite impressive mam.”

“Please call me Charlie. Everyone in my company calls me that and my favorite days are the ones I go out and join one of the crews to do whatever needs doing. I sincerely hate the office work, but someone’s got to do it and, unfortunately, that’s what my daddy gave me once I’d grown up.”

When they’d finished their water and cooled down a bit, Hoss came by and invited Charlie to join him in the construction trailer. Nick returned to the roof with one of the other workers in Charlie’s place. In the trailer, Hoss had Charlie looking at the building plans and asked her questions about various aspects of them. Charlie knew he was testing her knowledge just as Nick had tested her ability to nail down roofing. This was also something the other boss man hadn’t done.

At lunchtime, Charlie retrieved her lunchbox which she’d brought from home with her and which Adam had packed and joined the men in a shady part of the house that caught a small cooling breeze. She sat on the floor with them and listened as they talked and joked and participated when included in the conversation.  

Following lunch, Charlie was sent with one of the obviously Mexican workers, Louis, to help install tile in one of the bathrooms. As they worked, Charlie asked him questions and found out that everyone on the crew that had immigrated from Mexico either had a Green Card or had become a US citizen. She came to understand the company supported and assisted the Mexican workers’ efforts to become US citizens. She also learned they were all paid union wages.

At the end of the day, sweaty and smelly, Charlie met with Hoss while the other employees were leaving. She had enjoyed her time with this crew.

“So, Hoss, I have one final question, well, two really. First, do you think you could work with me? Second, will you be able to take my orders and ideas and make them my reality without making any changes?”

“Well, Mam, I watched you today even when you weren’t aware I was watching and I have to say I’m impressed by your knowledge and know-how. Most of the men gave me a thumb’s up as they were leaving, so you impressed them too. I’d say we could all work for you or with you to make whatever you want to build come to fruition exactly, and I mean exactly, the way you want it.”

“Hoss, you’re, or rather your company is hired. Just as soon as I know more specifics, I’ll share them with you and on my next trip out, I’ll bring you in to meet with the owner and the architect. I really look forward to our partnership.”

“Me too, Mam, me too.”