“Do you think we could use your screen to access the larger selection?” Nico asked.
“I guess you could try,” I said. I didn’t have the heart to refuse them trying. I just quietly hoped that the attempt wouldn’t get any of us into trouble. I mean, nobody had specifically told me I wasn’t allowed to share my list with anyone…
“How about one of us tries now?” Zina suggested, gazing at the screen. “If it works, it’s not like we have to attend the job now. If we don’t show up, it’ll just be made available again.”
“Okay, go ahead,” I said. “Whoever wants to.”
I brought up the screen on my tablet as Nico raised a hand. I gave it to him, and he tapped on the first job on the list. As soon as he pressed his ring to the screen, a red cross flashed up, followed by big bold letters: “INVALID.”
“Damn,” Nico muttered. He sighed, then resumed his seat. “Well, I guess that settles it. If we want to try climbing to a higher pay level, we’re going to have to access the jobs from our own limited lists.”
A span of silence fell between us. We all exchanged glances. I was all for them earning more, but I also worried about them. I didn’t know what other dangers lay out there, and I sure hoped they’d steer away from underwater jobs after what I’d told them today. I didn’t want any of them pushing themselves too far and ending up in hospital. Especially Zina. She shouldn’t even be working at the construction site, in my opinion.
“You never answered about the unicorns,” Robert remarked after a long pause, reaching for another cupcake.
I smiled faintly. “Anna likes them.”
“Well, I’m not sure about unicorns, but this sponge is damn good,” my aunt said, also scooping up a second cupcake.
I handed around the basket a second time, until all the cupcakes were gone, and then I sensed the exhaustion stretching around the group. They’d also had a long day on the construction site.
“I think I’m gonna go lie down now,” Robert said with a yawn, rubbing his stomach. “Let this sugar settle.” He stood up and turned to me. “Thank you for the cupcakes. Your debt is somewhat repaid.”
I rolled my eyes.
Everyone took that as their cue to leave and headed to the door.
“Be careful, Tani,” my uncle said, hanging back. “You gave me a fright today, disappearing like that. I wouldn’t be able to look your father in the eye if something happened to you.”
“I will.” I nodded stiffly. “And, please, you stay safe as well.”
As I closed the door on their departure, I knew my uncle was right. With the minefield of jobs that had just opened up to me, I was in theory at a greater risk. I had to be careful myself. Which was why I needed Hayden… and possibly Anna.
FIFTEEN
I wokeup early the next morning to scan my new job list, but waited until 6:30 before calling Hayden’s number. To my surprise, he picked up after one ring.
“Tani?” His voice came through, husky and rough from sleep. Something about the sound caught my attention, sharper than I expected.
“Um, did I catch you too early?” I asked.
A pause. “I’m up. How are you feeling?”
“Better. The hospital cleared me last night.”
“Good.” Another pause.
“Do you have your job list open?” I asked.
The third pause was long enough to make me wonder if he might hang up. “Why?” he finally responded.
I tried to keep my tone even. “I thought I could call for advice. Aren’t you still my employment officer?”
I heard the faint sound of him exhaling, then fabric shifting—sheets, maybe. When he spoke again, his voice was clearer, but not exactly eager. “Give me a second.” Muffledfootsteps. Something thudded in the background. “Alright. I’m looking at it now.”
I scrolled down my own screen. “So, any recommendations?”
He didn’t answer immediately. “Furnace Supervisor. Factory 5. Should be three postings.” His words were clipped, like he was reciting from a script.
