Chapter 17 - The Workers Speak
The warehouse smelled of rain-soaked cardboard. Karen had invited employees to an open meeting about the possible sale of the distribution business. Alessandro stood at the back, no longer the person authorized to promise anyone a job.
A driver named Sam Ortiz raised his hand. "My kids don't care whether the owners are arguing. They care whether I can buy groceries next Thursday. Who guarantees our wages?"
"The payroll funds are set aside through the end of the current period," Karen said. "After that, we need a signed operating agreement."
"Are we getting one?" somebody called.
"I'm negotiating with a regional carrier that wants our routes and most of our staff. I won't promise all positions survive."
A woman near the loading bay turned toward Alessandro. "You ran this place for years. Why didn't you fix it sooner?"
He could have blamed Giorgio. The answer would have been partly true and completely inadequate.
"Because the business made money while I looked the other way," he said. "I told myself good wages excused how contracts were obtained. They don't. I'm sorry."
"Sorry won't pay rent," Sam said.
"No," Alessandro replied. "It won't."
Karen outlined the proposed deal: a different company would take over the routes, retain a substantial number of positions, and offer paid transition support to others. Workers would review the terms through their representatives before anyone called it a rescue.
Afterward Sam approached Alessandro.
"I don't like you much right now," he said.
"Fair."
"But I appreciate you not giving us another speech about family honor. Keep your promises about the money."
Alessandro nodded. "Karen controls that process now. Check with her, not me."
On Saturday Lily arrived at the library with a paper crown she'd made at preschool.
"Bear man, sit!" she ordered, pointing to a chair.
He sat. Lily placed the crown on his head. It was too small and slipped over one eyebrow.
"I'm the king of bears?" he asked.
May you like
"No," Lily said. "You birthday cake."
Rosa laughed. Alessandro laughed too, and for a minute the warehouse, his father, and the enormous mistakes behind him did not disappear, but they stopped being the only things in his life.
