Chapter 13
Supervisor Webb led Evelyn through the dormitory corridor. The red brick buildings had patches of peeling paint, but everything was neat and well-kept. Even the window ledges were spotless-a sign that the place was well-maintained.
“Top floor, end of the hall,” Webb said, handing her a key. “There’s a state-owned shop downstairs. If you need anything, just head down and grab it.”
She added, “If you’ve got a lot of stuff and can’t carry it on your own, just let the factory know-I’ll send a few
of the guys to help you out.”
Evelyn took the key and quickly did a mental inventory of what she had left back at the little room in the alley. Not much-just a few pairs of shoes and some clothes she’d brought with her.
“Thank you, Supervisor. I don’t have much. I can move it myself this weekend.”
Just then, footsteps echoed up the stairwell. Daniel was coming up from below with a toolbox in hand. He paused when he spotted them.
Webb’s eyes lit up. “Perfect timing. Daniel, you live on the second floor, right? Evelyn’s moving this weekend- if you’re free, can you give her a hand with the heavy stuff?”
Daniel glanced at Evelyn and nodded easily. “Sure. I’m not busy this weekend.”
“Oh, no need! I don’t want to trouble you,” Evelyn said, waving her hands quickly.
“It’s no trouble,” Daniel replied with a smile, his tone easy and natural. “Which alley are you staying in? I’ll
come find you.”
Seeing that he wouldn’t take no for an answer, Evelyn gave him the address.
Sure enough, early Saturday morning, Daniel showed up with ́a cart.
Evelyn’s tiny room was crammed in at the end of the alley. Daniel shouldered the wooden crate without a word and tied her blankets neatly to the back of the cart. His movements were efficient and practiced.
“Mr. Whitaker. Thank you so much for helping today,” Evelyn said, following behind him as he sweated under the sun. “How about lunch on me? There’s a little diner nearby.”
As he slid the crate under the dorm bed, Daniel stood and shook his head. “No need to spend the money. The factory serves free lunch-we’ll just eat in the cafeteria.”
He wiped the sweat from his brow and added with a smile, “And call me Daniel. ‘Mr. Whitaker’ feels too
formal.”
His voice was gentle. “Besides, you just started this job. Money must be tight. Best to save when you can.”
Warmth welled up in Evelyn’s chest.
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He was right-she didn’t have much to spend. And Daniel had clearly picked up on that, using the cafeteria as an excuse to help her without making her feel embarrassed.
“Then I promise, once I get my first paycheck, I’m treating you properly,” she said seriously. “And you’re not
allowed to turn me down.”
Daniel chuckled, a hint of bashfulness in his expression. “Alright. Deal.”
In the days that followed, they ran into each other more and more around the factory.
Evelyn worked in the workshop; Daniel was on the maintenance team. Every so often, he’d swing by to inspect the machines, and when he passed her station, he’d linger just a little longer.
Sometimes during breaks, she’d spot him crouched beside some giant machine, grease smudged across his face, completely focused and unbothered.
Their easy chemistry blossomed into friendship.
He learned that she loved the cakes from the corner stall and began bringing an extra one each morning, quietly leaving it by her sewing machine.
And when she made vegetables on her day off, she always saved a small dish for him.
Evelyn found herself relying on Daniel a little more with each passing day.
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