Damned!

Federico To The Rescue

"How is your grandmother?" the voice on the other line might have sounded concerned but Ein could not say, since this was his dad's way of avoiding direct communication with Imama. Too often in his life he had felt like the messenger, between two adults who clearly loved each other and both wanted the other one to change. One wanted acceptance from her son and the other wanted admittance of the wrong the relationship had caused.

"How is your mom, dad?" Ein replied evenly. "You should be the one contacting her, instead you get most of your updates from me."

"If she would just get rid of that fool of a partner, I would feel so relieved. You know I can only say so much around her; I do not trust my opinions and information to be kept out of the fray. There is no hiding of information between lovers."

Federico then acknowledged he had received inside news from Tannebaum's through a former employee. They were shipping their excavators this week and the work would start next Monday. The timeline had been moved up due to the recent protests in the capitol.

Connections were Federico's specialty. He was the top contractor in the area, so he often recommended jobs to his competitors that he could not take. In this way he built friendships. He lived by the motto hold your friends close and your enemies closer. Growing up Ein had often heard this advice and now could see in practical terms how this had benefited his businesses and built solid labor practices.

"Yes, I know. We are doing the best we can to create distraction in the media. Again, dad, I'm so glad you stayed out of this one."

"Brilliant minds think alike," he replied. He hesitated, "I am concerned about Imama. I know she will put up a fight to keep her home, and this will weigh heavy on her heart. I thought you could break the news to her; at least keep her from doing something foolish."

"That may be easier said than done as you know dad. However, if we could stop this mess altogether, do you have sources that my reporters could use, stating Tannebaum's orders?"

Federico declined to give his source, saying this would ruin his relationship with the worker. Instead, he provided Ein with an email trove of phrases gathered from the bosses and suggested the reporters put the heat on the company.

"I know we want to go after the big guy, but sometimes you have to start small." Federico explained that Tannebaum's admitting to a rushed and ill-conceived project approval would bring attention to the governing board oversight committee and the company could be faced with a potential lawsuit, which would reflect poorly on the government or at least delay the production. "Have your reporters call for a quote verification. Or better yet televise an on-the-spot interview. That will make more noise to the public."

Ein was grateful for the advice and said as much to thank his father. He thought to himself that this was the benefit of maintaining good relations with all his family members. They had all been fortunate to retain successful jobs and good relations within their own communities. His childhood with Imama and the jungle had always been so separate from his father and in a way his grandfather. It seemed odd that he was consulting all of his family now about the Jungle Watershed Project. And he was grateful for all their voices, their knowledge sources. He found himself envisioning a successful outcome not only for the Gandan people but also for his own clan disguised by their different names. Maybe there might be a world where all his family could acknowledge their work together. Then he shook himself as the reality of the work ahead set back in.