Since I missed posting anything on Wednesday, I thought I’d give you a sneak peek at another story I’m working on. I’ll tell you more about it when I finish it…like which publisher is getting it and stuff like that. lol.
A Coal Miner’s Son copyright c. 2016 T.A. Chase
“Great job, son.” Nicholas Callahan, James’ father and boss, slapped him on the shoulder. “I have to admit when you first suggested making these changes, I thought you were crazy.”
“Not to mention wasting a lot of company money,” James said, hiding his wince at the force of his father’s jovial display of approval.
“Well, that’s true.” Nicholas dismissed James’ comment with a wave of his hand before he dropped into the chair behind his desk. “It was going to be a big cost and it was hard getting the board to spend it.”
James strolled over to the window. Placing his hand on the cool glass, he stared out over the city. The sun shone down on the buildings, but James didn’t see the beauty of it. All he saw was the vehicles on the streets and people on the sidewalks. Charleston was the capital of West Virginia, which wasn’t saying much. Yet James wasn’t interested in it. Just like he hadn’t really been interested in all the other major cities he’d visited and lived in throughout his thirty-four years.
“Although the initial cost was high, the changes made have ended saving the company millions of dollars in fines.” He turned back to meet his father’s gaze. “Along with health insurance claims and work complaints. Maybe you won’t dig in your heels next time I want to make some changes.”
Nicholas snorted. “You know there will be a fight, no matter what, son. When it comes to spending money, there’s no way you’re not getting it without jumping through circles.”
That was the truth. Ever since James joined the company, he’d argued with the money people over every idea and change he wanted to make. It didn’t matter that he was the CEO’s only son. The board members hated giving up even a penny of the bottom line.
His father’s phone rang and James edged toward the door. “I’m leaving for Willow Hollow. I want to check the changes at the main mine. It’s been six months since we instituted the new safety measures. Also, the miner representative asked to meet with me.”
He dashed out of the office before his father could say anything. There was nothing his father disliked more than the miners and the people who represented them. Yet James had never had any trouble with them, even when they argued against the new safety measures he’d implemented earlier in the year. Their resistance had surprised him until his father reminded him that most people didn’t like change.
“James, my son, those people don’t like change. They like to do things the way they’ve always been done. I’m surprised they even agreed to it.” Nicholas shook his head.
It was a sentiment he’d heard most of his life.
“Those people” as Nicholas called the miners and their families who lived in Willow Hollow. His father believed the townspeople were backward and ignorant. He’d done his best to keep James away from them, rarely allowing him to visit the main mine and kept him close when they did go.
Yet James had figured out ways to sneak away and spend time with the miners’ children. He didn’t care that their clothes were ragged and their skin dirty. They didn’t care that James was neatly dressed and always so clean. None of that mattered. Children never saw the differences. They only saw the fun they could have together. It was worth all the punishments James had suffered when he returned to his father, covered in mud and leaves.
Willow Hollow had been a place of joy for James. A place where he could be a regular boy instead of Nicholas Callahan’s heir. Then he’d been sent to boarding school and college. It had been years before he’d been able to get back.
Friday, January 22nd, 2016,
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…can’t wait for more!
Oh, cool. (nods head)
I like it.