Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 54343 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 272(@200wpm)___ 217(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54343 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 272(@200wpm)___ 217(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
“What’s the smallest piece you expect to need?” she asked.
“Anything under six inches will probably be scrapped,” he guessed. “Figure out where you’re going to record the measurements. I’ll tell you several out at a time.”
Finding a small piece of drywall, she suspected would only be good for the scrap heap, Rosa borrowed a pencil from his toolbox.
“Ready?” Fury called.
“When you are.” Rosa scribbled down the numbers quickly as Fury called them out. He told her seven lengths. Immediately, she added different combinations up in her head, getting as close to the ten-foot length of the piping as she could.
“Put these on,” Fury told her, handing her a pair of gloves. “They’ll be too big, but better floppy than getting your hands blistered.”
When he walked away, Rosa got busy. The gloves were a complete bother. She couldn’t grip the pipe or hold the cutter correctly with the flapping fabric interfering. Afraid she’d make a mistake, Rosa stripped the protection off almost immediately.
A few hours later, Fury announced, “Lunchtime, Rosa. You need to take a break.”
Rosa set down the cutter and winced. She saw the redness coloring the web of her hand between her thumb and index finger and shifted her arm behind her back to conceal her injury. She’d noticed her hand hurt, but they’d made significant progress so far. Fury had finished with the piping for the bathrooms.
“Why are these gloves over here?” Fury asked, picking up the discarded fabric.
“I couldn’t grip the plastic well with those on. I’m okay.” She rushed to reassure him.
“Let me see your hands,” Fury demanded.
“No, really, I’m fine.”
“Hands,” he repeated, staring her down.
Rosa glared at him. She’d learned years ago not to allow people to intimidate her. If she didn’t stand up for herself, others would walk all over her. Or worse, take her stuff or refuse to pay her wages.
“You don’t need to worry about me. I’ll go home and grab some food. If I return in twenty minutes, will that be okay?”
“You’re done unless you show me your injuries.”
“I’m not hurt.”
Fury held her gaze. “Now, Rosa.”
“Fine.” Rosa held out her left hand. “See, I didn’t cut myself.”
“Now the other.”
Exhaling in a huff, Rosa showed him the top of her right hand with her thumb tucked next to her palm. “This is a lot of fuss about nothing,” she said to distract him.
Fury caught her wrist and turned over her hand. He winced at the sight of the blisters and red skin. “Didn’t this hurt?”
She shrugged. She was used to working no matter if she had a headache, fever, or some other ailment. Rosa didn’t call in sick or stop early. She took extra shifts immediately when offered and covered for others. Every penny counted.
“Come on. We’ll go to the warehouse and let Razor clean and bandage this.”
“No, thank you. I’ll go grab something for lunch and I’ll be back. I’ll put on the gloves after lunch.” She might even wear them now that she’d seen the consequences.
Fury pulled out his phone and made a call. “Street? Your girl didn’t wear the gloves I gave her, and she’s blistered her hand. I want to take her to Razor, but she’s refusing. Want to meet us there?”
He held the phone away from his ear, and Rosa could hear the yelling. Fury held the device out to her.
Used to having horrible bosses curse and even throw things at her when they thought she’d done something wrong, Rosa didn’t get scared but sighed with resignation. She took the cell phone awkwardly with her left hand as she prepared herself for Street’s wrath. “Hi.”
“Go with Fury. I’ll meet you at the health center. No arguments,” Street declared.
To her surprise, his voice wasn’t angry but sounded worried. “I’m….”
“Now, Little girl, unless you want me to spank you in the exam room.”
She gasped and knew he wasn’t kidding. Why did sexual heat flare inside her tummy at the thought of being punished even as negative memories of being hit popped into her mind? Could she tell him she needed to avoid that consequence?
Instantly, she chose the easiest path. He wouldn’t change his mind about her going to see Razor. “Fine. I’ll see you there.”
“Ask Fury to walk you over so you’ll know the route.” With that, Street disconnected the call.
“Are we going in my truck or on foot?” Fury asked.
“Can you show me the way? You can eat lunch first,” she assured him. “Or you could just point me in the right direction.”
“Not happening. Come on, Rosa. Let’s go.” Fury grabbed his toolbox and waved her toward the doorway.
“Fine.”
In a short time, Fury boosted Rosa into the tall truck and had attached her seatbelt for her. She had to admit that her hand throbbed. She should have put those gloves on when she’d noticed her skin was pink. Stupid rookie mistake.