Building My Life

Chapter 13 I Do!

Josias gives Romualdo a gaze of astonishment. He had no intention of asking just in the construction site, but the opportunity came and he would not refuse. He just didn't expect to get this easy. Was Everaldo in action again?

“Are you sure, sir? Here it looks like work done with care. I don't have a lot of construction experience; at most I helped as Uélton is doing.”

Romualdo analyzes Josias's physical constitution from him. Because he was shirtless, it became easier. “You don't look like a fragile boy to me. You're not muscular, but I see a little strength in your arms and shoulders.”

“I was never an idle person, or a sedentary person, as they say,” Josias explains, with a proud smile.

“Then there is no more talk!” Romualdo sentences, “If you really want to, come tomorrow to start. And what you don't know how to do, we'll teach you. What do you say?”

What to say? Of course, Josias would not refuse! “I accept, Seu Romualdo.”

“Smart boy, you already got my name.” Romualdo smiles widely. The two shake hands to seal the deal. “If you want, you can start tomorrow. And I suggest that you come with another more suitable outfit.”

Josias turns red just to remember. “This will not be possible, Seu Romualdo.”

Romualdo frowns. “Huh, why not? You don't plan on coming in pajamas, do you? I can even pass up the fact that you are shirtless because of the heat, but I would wear these pants in cold weather.”

“It's just that I'm in such a critical situation that this outfit is all I have left.” Josias decides to explain without going into too much detail, “I was forced, so to speak, to leave the house like that.”

Romualdo puts his hand on his chin. “Did you run away for doing some illegal stuff, boy?”

Josias needed to deal with that question. Unfortunately, that's what people think. It is rare to find a young man who is not doing something wrong with each passing year.

Josias only had to deny it. “No, I swear. If I was messing with the wrong thing, I wouldn't be looking for some honest occupation right now.”

Romualdo smiles again and relieves himself. Smart answer. The boy doesn't sleep on the spot.

“Tomorrow, at eight in the morning. Can I know your name?”

“Josias Rocha.” Josias pronounces his name as if he were an authority.

After final greetings, Josias returns to Teodoro's building, almost jumping with happiness. When he passes a house whose radio played “Working My Way Back to You”, by The Spinners, he even dances in the middle of the main street.

Upon entering the reception, Teodoro finds the boy all smiling. “Don't tell me that you found something to do in this place. No, wait! Did you find the girl, find out where she lives?”

Josias burst out laughing. “Not yet, Seu Teodoro, but I found what I was looking for! I managed to get some occupation! Now I'm going to pay for the little room, you can rest easy.”

Teodoro is already fond of Josias enough to go out from behind the counter to embrace the boy. Josias became for him like a nephew. When the two leave, he says, “Don't worry about rent. Next month we’ll see that. When you receive your first payment, focus on buying things for yourself.”

“He told me to go in another outfit.” Josias starts to laugh, “But it seems that these sweatpants will be used. I am not going to use new pants to move cement.”

Teodoro raises an eyebrow. “Cement? Are you going to work at a construction site?”

“Yeah,” Josias quickly adds, “and you can undo that face of worry, Seu Teodoro. I am no weakling, despite my age. I’ve helped you a few times, it’s not that difficult. And Seu Romualdo seems to me to be good people, what I don't know he teaches me.”

“I hope so. I know Romualdo, he is well requested in the locality for construction. Do you know the bathrooms here? He did it. If I had met him before, I would have him build the entire building.”

Josias smiles in agreement. He realized that the bathroom was built more carefully than the rest of the building. It was probably not Romualdo who built those houses on the main street.

After that, Josias went to his room, satisfied and thanking God mentally for another stage of his life resolved. Now it was time to start work, save money and use it wisely. Josias could even make a list of priorities, but he had no notebook or pen.