Chicago 1982 is a goldmine for the construction industry, and Eric and his two business partners are thriving. Once living as struggling orphans in a Catholic boys' home, they've overcome poverty and abuse to obtain success. Now living the lives they once only dreamed of, they're sure of one thing: they will never look back.<br><br>Then the past returns, by way of a cheap polyester suit and a smile Eric has never forgotten, and all the dark memories come crashing back. Lucky for him, Jimmy has no idea who Eric is, or who Eric used to be.

We Three Kings

He smells good, like summer rain and open meadows, and I have no idea if it’s cologne or fabric softener. I try to make myself listen to him tell me his ideas, to watch as he points out the sketches and the notes he’s made, and I smile and nod at him when he asks me if that’s what I had in mind.


He smiles. I can see his shoulders loosening and the muscles softening in his jaw, and as I watch it happen, I can feel my own body follow suit. Then I have to remind myself to stopnodding so he doesn’t begin referring to me as a my-boss-the-bobble-head behind my back. “It’s really good,” I tell him, and out of nowhere I start gushing over what he’s done. “I like it. A lot. Smart. Professional. Concise. Good design plan. Simple but detailed. Yep, it’s good. That’s definitely going to work.”


Chapter 8