150
“Only call both of us Mr. Brady at work. Outside of work, you are to call us by our first names, got it? We are going to be very good friends from now on, like brothers.”
“Oh, you can be sure of that, after all you did for me, of course. So you gave me a picture of what my day will be like from now on because you know for sure that I am going to get this first job.”
“That‘s right.”
Constantine was ecstatic. “Thank you, Haggai!” He cried tears of joy. “You and your brother have changed my life forever. Thank you so much. You guys are the best. I wish that Robinson, Kay and Carlos would forgive me because they would be excellent friends, too.”
“Call that poor man. By the time you hang up, I guarantee you that you‘re going to have that job.” Haggai hung up and went to his room to see how Rebecca was doing.
Constantine called Mr. Smiley at his home. Mr. Smiley was Marlon‘s uncle. His brother, Roy, Marlon‘s father, was an Emadorian, but Mr. Smiley was human. Mr. Smiley wanted his fate to change so he could be independent, but now, that wasn‘t possible, until Constantine‘s path got crossed with his. Mr. Smiley didn‘t have Roy write his name on the ad, but from the moment that he answered the phone, Constantine knew who he was, and he was more than eager to assist him. Constantine had something in mind that Mr. Smiley would never have imagined.
“Hello.”
“Is this the man who needs help getting ready in the morning?”
“That‘s right. I have a work-at-home job, but I can‘t bathe or dress on my own.”
“I see. This is Constantine Everhart. I just read your ad and I want to be the one to help
you.”
“Constantine Everhart, a strong Emadorian, just like my brother and nephew, Marlon. I like that. Thank you for calling.”
“I would like to know what I need to qualify for this job.”
“A man like you needs nothing to qualify. You already have everything I‘m looking for, the strength to help me transfer into the bathtub, the skills…you‘re the perfect man for this.”
“So when do I start?”
“Can you start tomorrow morning?”
“Of course I can.”
“You don‘t mind getting up earlier than you usually do from now on?”
“I‘ve only been sleeping in for three weeks, so it‘s not that big of a deal. I‘ve been working since I was a teenager, and even unemployed, I get up around seven o‘clock in the morning because I‘m so used to getting up early, so it‘s not a big difference for me.”
“So you‘ve only been unemployed for three weeks?”
“Yes, sir, I have. I‘ll tell you more about me as we get to know each other better.” “That sounds good. I‘ll see you tomorrow morning, Constantine.”
“Thank you so much, Mr. Smiley. I‘ll see you tomorrow.” Constantine hung up, and then screamed, “Yes! Today is the best day of my life! I will never forget this day!”
There were more surprises in store for Constantine today, and it was only seven o‘clock at night. Robinson, Kay and Kim arrived at his house at this moment. Constantine was taking another shower to change into his own clothes. Even so, he would keep Heber‘s clothes for the rest of his life, as a reminder of everything that Heber and Haggai had done for him in less than twenty-four hours. Robinson knew that Constantine couldn‘t come to the door right now, so he stopped ringing the bell and waited for Constantine to get ready.