Free Arizona Allspice by Renee Lewin Page B

forever.
     
    “Do what you need to do to be happy. Forget about me for a while if you have to,” he said.
     
    “Impossible,” I said.
     
    “What? Being happy?”
     
    “No.  Not worrying about you.”
     
    He hugged me tighter. “Ditto.”
     
    ******
     
    Working at PiCo Automotive was the closest thing to being a real civil engineer without having a degree. Manny started off as an assistant to the engineering department manager, helping to create and test new more cost efficient designs. The manager relocating to take a job upstate became Manny’s lucky break. The higher-ups decided to make Manny department manager in his place. Though he wasn’t paid as much as someone with the credentials, he was very satisfied to use his ingenuity and it spared him from the intolerable option of being manager of Merjoy Trailer Park. That job, thankfully, had been given to Mr. Jimenez. The ultimate goal was to one day get that Master’s degree and become authentically, confidently, a civil engineer.
     
    A perk to Emanuel’s job was that he could make his own schedule. That afternoon he decided to have lunch early, sitting alone at one of the wooden picnic benches under the oak trees. Everyone was still inside working except for Joey who rounded the corner of the building and walked unwavering at first, then hesitated once he caught sight of Emanuel. He neared the table. “Can I talk to you for a minute?” Joey asked. Manny finished chewing the sandwich Elaine made for him. The only way Joey could have known he was outside having lunch was to go to the opposite side of the factory where the engineering offices were and ask several coworkers until he found the person who knew. Plus, instead of cocky or heated, Joey was cautious and surprisingly intimidated.  Right away Emanuel sensed that the conversation Kinsley wanted to have wouldn’t be work-related.
     
    “Sure, man. Have a seat.”
     
    “As you already know, I’ve burned some bridges working here. I’ve been tossed around to different departments and yesterday was my last day of a short stint in the metal works department. I’m coming to you, Manny, because you are my last chance. Your department is the last one I haven’t screwed up in yet.” He gave a cheerless smile. “So I wanted to know if you could help me get a job on your team. I’ve been letting things get to me but I swear you won’t have to worry about that if you’re my boss. I have too much respect for you.”
     
    Joey respected him? What for? The two had gone to the same high school but congregated with different circles of friends. They only spoke to each other in passing at a party or a few soccer games. Images of Joey’s volatile behavior flooded his mind: Joey being dragged out of a soccer match against La Tormenta after countless fouls because he couldn’t stop playing rough, Joey in the factory shoving a car part right off the work bench or hurling tools at one in frustration. Emanuel would have to be an idiot to think Joey would be a good employee in his field.
     
    “Um, I’m not sure I can help you. There really aren’t any openings right now.”
     
    “What if I told you this could be a win-win situation?”
     
    Intrigued, Emanuel quieted. Joey continued.
     
    “There are things you want to do in your life and things I want to settle in mine. I admit I have anger issues and I’m working on them. I feel like I’ve hit rock bottom and you’re the only one who can give me another chance in more ways than one. I feel pretty pathetic that I have to beg you, though I’m even more pathetic for not talking to you a long time ago. “
     
    “What do you mean you’ve hit rock bottom? Is this about drugs or something?”
     
    His eyes grew wide. “No! If I was, I wouldn’t dare expect any help from you. Hi, Elaine’s brother. I’m an angry unstable druggie. Could you give me a hand?” he laughed softly.
     
    Still suspicious, Emanuel didn’t laugh. He only wondered if