Seventeen
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CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
The travel alarm sounded like a fire bell. Eddie stumbled to the bathroom and found relief for his aching head. He prayed the framing crew would arrive on time. He could come back and sleep for another hour before heading to the office. Eddie opened the building, making double sure the alarm was disengaged. The place was so remote the only sound came from nature and that seemed removed because he parked in the middle of the parking lot. Trees and grass that housed noisy insects were nonexistent for seventy- five yards in any direction. The crew arrived on time. The foreman, Jeff, was a stocky guy with red hair, freckles and a smile that never faded.“ Who ordered wheels on the pallets?” Jeff asked.“ Frank and I put them on with the help of the driver,” Eddie said.“ Thanks. We will be working until about eight. I like to get a good start,” Jeff said, as his crew set up shop. Eddie did not want to be here when the saws and nail guns started. He excused himself saying he had a meeting to attend. He handed Jeff the key to the inner glass door and showed him where to put it in case no one was here by the time they left.“ Just close the steel doors. I will come by and lock them if I am not here when you leave. Jeff stuck out a huge paw. Eddie shook his hand and was glad he worked out, because he just stuck his hand into a human vice.“ You don’ t look so good. You might want to cancel that meeting,” Jeff said, with genuine concern.“ I’ m going to catch a nap before I have to be there. I’ m more worried about being able to take notes,” Eddie said, flexing his hand.“ Sorry. Daddy had me skinning pigs by the time I was twelve. He told us to always shake hands with a firm grip,” Jeff smiled.“ That’ s quite a grip.”“ Nothing compared to my old man’ s. Only church around where no one shakes the preachers hand. Except the women folk,” Jeff winked, and Eddie felt better about leaving a key.“ I’ ll try to be back by eight,” Eddie said, and left as he heard the band saw scream as the first metal stud touched the blade. He ran to his truck and closed the door, cutting off the assault. The hour nap helped considerably. The drive and more coffee had him feeling almost like new as he arrived a half hour before the meeting. The receptionist saw him.“ Good morning Mr. Dodge. Mr. Melling asked if you could stop by his office,” Eddie nodded and proceeded straight to Frank’ s office“ Good morning Charlie,” he said.“ Go right in,” she said, glancing at the phone.“ Morning Eddie. How’ s it coming along?” Frank asked.“ The I-beams are up and the framers have started the floor,” Eddie said, taking out the rolled floor plan and handing it to Frank.“ You continue to exceed my expectations,” Frank said, nodding over the unrolled drawing.“ Jeff said thanks for the rollers.”“ I knew there was something I was forgetting to tell you. Be prepared for Jeff’ s hand shake,” Frank said, looking up from paper on his desk. Eddie laughed.“ I survived,” Eddie said, wiggling his fingers.“ Good. We have a meeting to attend.”
The room contained the usual faces. Eddie chose a chair across the large table from Sam. She smiled and nodded.“ Morning,” he offered, looking around the room and taking his seat. Frank started the meeting by stating next weeks meeting would be the last of the year. The following week was Thanksgiving and the month of December was filled with vacations. He would hold meetings on an individual basis as necessary.