Chapter 11
Anna testified before the labor board.
She was still weak, but she stood.
Elijah sat beside me in the front row, holding his sign.
God sees every choice.
Anna described Miguel’s reports.
The sparks.
The blocked doors.
The night he came home smelling like smoke and said, “If they don’t fix it, someone will die.”
Then he died.
Victor’s attorney tried to interrupt.
Anna raised her voice.
“My husband was not careless. He was ignored.”
The room went silent.
She turned toward me.
“My father ignored me too.”
I took that blow because it was true.
“But today,” she continued, “I am asking him to do what he should have done then. Listen to the people who are still alive.”
I stood when she finished.
Not to speak.
To honor her.
Soon everyone stood.
Elijah cried without sound.
Afterward, he hugged her carefully.
“You were brave.”
She kissed his hair.
“So were you.”
The board ordered emergency oversight of all Coleman factories.
Inspections found violations at two more sites.
I shut them down myself.
It cost millions.
Good.
May you like
Money had been my god too long.
Let it finally serve something holy.
