I felt sad as we started the last week of the project. After breakfast, when
Frank and Manuu had gone to the clinic, I got ready. I hurried to the new
addition, and greeted Mr. Atati and his workers. I started out getting things
together, and then giving the
what they requested. My now I knew most of the
tools, and other supplies by there names.
Later in the morning, while getting some tools together, I knocked over a can
of liquid. The liquid splashed all over the front of my shirt, and I heard one
of the men yell at me to stand still. He told me to lean forward, so the shirt
was away from my body. He came over with a pair of scissors and cut my shirt all
the way in the back. The
who was holding the front of my shirt away from my
body, then pulled the shirt off. They had me wash my chest and stomach
thoroughly with soap and water. Ansu then rubbed a salve all over my chest and
stomach to prevent any chemical burn.
I told Mr. Atati I would be back after I got a clean shirt. He told me I was
ok without the shirt, that I needed to let the salve stay on, that a shirt would
rub it off. He laughed and said “the
looks good that way”, and they all
laughed. I continued to work, helping out wherever I could, trying to avoid any
more accidents. At the end of the day, I helped load the trucks, and went home.
I told Frank what had happened, and that’s why I had no shirt and was covered
with salve. The
had me go shower, then come back for him to examine me. I
check out fine, he said the men knew what to do, and prevented any skin damage.
The next morning after breakfast, and after Frank and Manuu had gone to the
clinic, I got dressed. As I stood there, in front of the mirror, l remembered
what Mr. Atati had said the day before. When I had no shirt on, he had said the
boy looks good that way. So I took my shirt off, and started flexing in front
the mirror. I had to admit, I looked good, and this was due to my workouts at
the fitness center and my
of swimming.
I left my shirt off and walked to the new addition. I explained my skin was
tinder, and that was the reason I didn’t wear a shirt. Ansu looked at me and
smiled real
, I don’t think he believed my excuse. Later at our lunch break,
I realized for sure, Ansu hadn’t bought my excuse. He ask if I was trying to
empress Mr. Atati. I noticed Mr. Atati looking in my direction, during the day,
with a smile on his face.
At the end of the day we loaded the trucks, and the men started leaving. I
went over and helped Mr. Atati load his truck, and tried to prolong my time with
him. When he got in his truck, he looked back down at me, and said “boy no shirt
tomorrow”. I didn’t wear a shirt the rest of the week.
On Friday we finished the project, and cleaned up all the mess. I followed
Mr. Atati around as he inspected everything, and he would point out things he
wanted me to explain to the doctor. I then went out and helped the workers get
things packed away, and the trucks loaded. I gave Ansu and some of the other
men, I had become friends with, hugs. I told them I hoped to see them around.
I then went in the building, and helped Mr. Atati get his things together. We
then carried everything out, and loaded his truck. I thanked Mr. Atati for
allowing me to be part of the project, and everything he had taught me. I felt
like giving him a hug too, but I held back, due to his status. I stood there
until he got in the truck, then I turned and walked away.
I herd him yell “boy not so fast”, so I turned around and walked back. He
told me, he knew I admired and respected him. He then told me, he liked having
me around, that I brought him pleasure when around. He told me he went to a
private club on Saturday nights, for dinner with friends and clients. He ask me
if I would accompany him Saturday night, that he would like to introduce me to
his friends. I liked the idea of dinner with him, but was not sure about meeting
his friends. But before I could really think about it, I heard myself say yes
sir. He then told me, he would pick me up about seven Saturday night. I did
think to ask him what I should wear. He laughed, and told me to wear what I
normally wear. I could hear him laughing as he drove away.