“I’m not.”
That annoyed him more.
Maya connected me with a nonprofit that helped formerly incarcerated people obtain employment.
Through them, I found work with a small carpentry crew.
The owner was a man named Luis Ortega.
He asked about my record directly.
“What did you do?”
I told him.
He listened.
Then asked.
“Can you show up at seven?”
“Yes.”
“Can you follow measurements?”
“Yes.”
“Can you take correction without walking off?”
I laughed.
“Eleven years of prison prepared me for correction.”
He smiled.
“Start Monday.”
That job changed everything.
At first, I carried lumber.
Cleaned sites.
Sorted screws.
Then Luis noticed I understood tools.
He taught me framing.
Drywall.
Roofing.
Basic electrical safety.
Not wiring.
He was strict about licenses.
I saved money.
Samuel helped on weekends.
Lily came sometimes.
Even Patch became part of the crew.
Six months after release, I poured the foundation for my cabin.
