Building My Life

Chapter 15 - The Future King

After being insulted by the guy who had insinuated he was gay, Josias strode out of the bathroom, slamming the door shut. He frowned as he reached the lobby, only then realizing he had forgotten to brush his teeth.

Teodoro was sweeping the floor excitedly to The Manhattans’ “Shining Star,” pretending the broom was his dance partner. For a few seconds, Josias forgot his anger and laughed at the scene. When Teodoro noticed the boy, he composed himself and returned to sweeping normally.

“It’s just work, work, work... We have to have some fun, too,” he said in an apologetic tone. “How can I help you, Josias?”

“Seu Teodoro, could you at least put up a sign in the men’s room telling people to close the door? Or better yet, could you manage to install stalls to separate the showers?”

Teodoro stopped sweeping and looked at Josias questioningly. So many demands! “To what do I owe so many requests, Josias?”

Josias gulped, fearing he had overstepped. He proceeded more calmly. “It’s just that an unpleasant scene happened today. A girl who had just moved in accidentally entered the men’s room because the door was wide open, and she ended up seeing a guy completely naked in the shower.”

Teodoro just chuckled. “Poor girl, it was an accident. But the bathrooms are marked...”

“Yes, I know,” Josias added, “They are signposted. But when the door is open, the jamb covers the word ‘Men.’ If the door were closed, she would have seen the sign and wouldn’t have even tried to open it. And there’s more...” Josias lowered his voice. “I’ve always found this habit of showering with the door open to be somewhat bizarre.”

Teodoro realized he was getting to the heart of the matter. “I understand, young man. You came from a more stable family where everyone had their turn in the bathroom, and now you’re living in a building where the bathroom is shared by everyone.”

“It’s not even that I came from a wealthy family; I just haven’t gotten used to it yet. And the residents here make it even harder. The worst part was that jerk laughing in my face and implying I was a sissy just because I didn’t want to see his junk! Wasn’t it supposed to be the other way around?”

Teodoro gave a hearty laugh. “Son, it sounds like you never played soccer or any other sport. When it comes to the locker room, that’s exactly how it is. And nobody cares. Of course, you’re not supposed to be staring... down there... all the time. Just pretend they’re in black tie and that’s enough.”

“Not really. In my teens, I didn’t have time for soccer, movies, or dating. I had to start fending for myself because my mother was gone and my father was always a mess — he couldn’t keep a job. That is, when he even had one.”

Teodoro stopped laughing. Indeed, Josias’s life hadn’t been easy. Still, he noticed Josias’s stance as he asked for the bathroom arrangements. As far as he remembered from the Bible, Josiah was the name of one of the Kings of Israel. This Josias standing before him had Middle Eastern features; if he grew a beard, he could pass for a sultan. He spoke with narrowed eyes, a firm, determined jaw, and a stern look, like a true monarch.

It was then that Teodoro understood why Everaldo had said that memorable phrase: that Josias was destined for great things. Josias had the nature and the posture of someone powerful and authoritative; he naturally took the lead. The way he suggested improvements to the bathroom as if he were Teodoro’s partner and not just a tenant made it clear to the owner that Josias had a bright future ahead of him. He was going to get whatever he wanted.

“Don’t worry, Josias,” Teodoro replied. “I’ll look into your suggestions.”

Josias smiled gratefully, then noticed Teodoro’s inquiring look. “What is it?”

“You didn’t even notice you were talking to me as if you owned the building, did you?”

Josias was agape, gesturing an apology. “No, Seu Teodoro, no way! I didn’t mean it! I’m sorry if I was rude, it’s just that ass—”

“Seu Teodoro, I need to talk to you about some sucker who’s trying to set rules in the bathroom, trying to get one over on you.” The guy from the bathroom appeared, now clean-shaven and dressed in overalls, likely for work at a mechanic shop. He smiled wryly when he spotted Josias near Teodoro. “Ah, speak of the Devil...”

“What is it, Jeremiah?” Teodoro asked, not yet realizing that Josias’s complaint had been about him.

Jeremiah and Josias’s eyes met; the latter’s eyes flashed with irritation.