Chapter 17
Two years after the fire, Factory Number One reopened.
Not as it was.
Never as it was.
New wiring.
New exits.
Worker council offices by the main floor.
Memorial wall near the entrance.
Miguel’s name was first.
Not because he was more important.
Because he warned first.
Anna placed her hand on his engraved name.
Elijah stood beside her.
I stood behind them, where I belonged.
Melissa gave the opening speech.
She was CEO now.
A good one.
A better one than I had been.
She said, “Production never outranks human life again.”
The workers applauded.
Some looked at me.
Some nodded.
Some did not.
I accepted both.
Afterward, Elijah asked to see where his father worked.
A supervisor named Jamal led us to the maintenance bay.
Elijah touched a toolbox.
“Was he scared?”
Jamal crouched.
“Your dad? He was scared and brave. Those often come together.”
Elijah nodded.
Then he looked at me.
“You were scared to call Mom.”
“Yes.”
“Not brave.”
“No.”
He took that in.
“But you’re braver now.”
My throat closed.
“I’m trying.”
He held out his hand.
May you like
I took it.
For the first time, my grandson did not pull away.
