The Good in Sin

Another Side of You

"Thank you for meeting me." Kline said when Hector settled in his seat, his cup of hot coffee already devoured, and he waited in all his seriousness for Kline to settle in across him.

At initial glance, Hector saw a flustered young man at the other side of the table. It was the first time the well-dressed, put-together fellow looked like a kid fresh out of college. He wore loose jeans with a faded t-shirt that read Pinewood High School, a hostile drawing of an eagle plastered on the front underneath his open blazer. His platinum blond hair looking less shiny and combed through as usual. 

"You doing okay, Kline?" Hector pried evenly, unsure if his question would offend.

Rather than being offended, Kline's face turned pink as he attempted to sit a little straighter, however when he spoke he did not meet Hector's eyes. "Yes, I apologize for running late. I know we've already been wasting enough of your time as it is-"

"Where's Hawthorne?" Hector asked as Kline opened a folder displaying the new written contract.

"He had business at home, plus I figured it'd be better if my lawyers write the contract instead. My partner is quite... adamant about his vision for the building. I told him it'd be best if he left this part to me."

"Seemed like a power move, if you ask me." Hector shot a foot away from the young man, who slipped him a packet of legal documents and a pen.

"Look," Kline said when sitting back in his seat and meeting Hector's eyes. "I'm sorry for wasting your time Sunday. I know Sundays are for your family. My partner is the same way. We'll be more respectful of your personal life, and from now on I'll do my best to make this a worthy business deal. One you won't dread acting towards."

Hector sent a nod. "Thank you, Kline."

"Hey," the man lent his hand for Hector to shake. "Call me Chris."

Taking the hand, Hector shook it, seeing for the first time a human in Chris he quickly judged as privileged and delusional. Shame overcame Hector at the idea that this young man was guilty by association in the way he viewed both Kline and Hawthorne. He realized it wasn't fair to him, no matter what Hector went through his entire life to overcome prejudice and injustice. It was finally clear to him that Chris Kline wanted to be on his side, even if Hector was still hesitant about that. "Alright, Chris, I'm Hector."

Chris nodded, and they went through the contract together. It was effortless how every question Hector had about a clause, a follow up clause would answer it. The contract Chris built up clearly took all week, as it had every concern Hector had voiced in the past, and voiced that moment sitting across from Chris.

When they finished and Hector decided he'd take it to his own lawyers to sign, he said, "thank you for taking this seriously. I appreciate the effort you've put into making this building happen the right way."

Smoothing down his blazer, Chris nodded his head. "You're welcome." He spread his hands out and gestured to his clothes, "I'm only sorry I'm ruining my professional image today by wearing jeans."

Hector shook his head in amusement, "yeah, man, what happened to you?"

Upon hearing the question, Chris laughed, and Hector chuckled along, seeing it was abnormal to see Chris in casual clothes. "I gave myself a deadline for when to finish the contract, and I fucked myself over."

"We're not going to start building for another couple of months. You had plenty of time," Hector chuckled.

"I know, but I have this unpleasant habit of giving myself more work than necessary, so it feels more rewarding when it's finished."