Seventeen
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Eddie wanted nothing more than to dive into his work. He hoped Rodney’ s advice was correct and Sam would forget him after fantasy number two had been completed. After purchasing earplugs Eddie drove back to the job site. The. 22 caliber nail guns set the anchors for the metal framework. The cordless screwdrivers were the quietest part of the operation as they drove the screaming, self-tapping screws into the metal studs. Bright orange ear plugs were on display, as were the wraparound safety lenses. Eddie went back to his truck after he saw the sparks fly as the gunpowder drove the hardened nail into the concrete. He found a pair of fairly well scratched glasses, from his last job, in the glove compartment. Jeff saw Eddie wearing the protection, gave him a big thumbs up and stopped what he was doing. He fished the key from his pocket and motioned for Eddie to follow him into the portico. The glass walls and doors muffled the noise.“ I intend to steal your idea about the wheels,” Jeff beamed, and handed him the key.“ You make a really bad crook if you announce your intentions. I’ m glad they helped.”“ The guys on the band saws stole the first pallet we emptied when we laid out the base. You cut the handling time in half. We are going to wrap it up for today in less than an hour. Tomorrow is Friday and I doubt if I can keep my crew motivated past four or five o’ clock,” Jeff said, looking at the watch on his thick, freckled wrist.“ Cool.”“ You certainly look better than you did this morning,” Jeff’ s smile widened.“ Drank a little too much last night,” Eddie admitted.“ Celebrating it or drowning it? I’ m a weak man. Done plenty of both. All of it over women.”“ Drowning it.”“ I’ ll put you in my prayers Eddie,” he said, offering his paw. Eddie made sure he got his hand in all the way.“ Thanks Jeff. I’ ll take all the help I can get,” Eddie said, as Jeff went back to work.
The telephone rang and Tanya answered. Eddie spoke with the sound of the nail guns in the background.“ What is that noise?” she asked.“ They are setting the forms for the raised floor.”“ That had to be hard to listen to all day.”“ I bought ear plugs and I’ ve been in and out all day,” Eddie winced at his choice of words.“ Are you coming home tonight? I really miss you.”“ They are not finished and I have to lock up because of the type of equipment. We don’ t want a bunch of kids breaking in and shooting holes in the place or each other. I’ ll be home tomorrow.”
Tanya reminded him Rich would be visiting Saturday. Eddie had forgotten. He pulled out his notebook and jotted that down.“ I love you Eddie.”“ I love you more.” he said, and ended the call. The phone in his hand rang and vibrated, startling him.“ Hey Rodney,” Eddie answered the call.“ You still at the site?” Rodney asked, hearing the noise on the other end of the line.“ I spent most of the day at the apartment.”“ That’ s cool. But I don’ t want Tanya on my ass about you never being home. Do you know what time Jeff plans to knock off tomorrow?” Rodney asked.“ Four or five o’ clock.”“ I’ ll be there to lock up, maybe earlier. I haven’ t had a single message about the alarm since you made the place a concrete bunker. Sheer genius,” Rodney said.