Building My Life

Chapter 15 The Future King

After insulted by the guy who insinuated Josias to be a homosexual, he strides out of the bathroom, slamming the door shut, and frowns at the lobby, forgetting to brush his teeth.

Teodoro is sweeping the floor excitedly to The Manhattans’ “Shining Star”, pretending that the broom was his dance partner. Josias for a few seconds forgets his anger and laughs at the scene. When Teodoro notices the boy, he disguises and returns to sweep normally.

“We just work, work... We get to have some fun, too.” He speaks in an apologetic tone, “How can I help you, Josias?”

“Seu Teodoro, can you at least put a sign in the men's room telling the men to close the door? Or rather, can you manage to separate the showers by a box?”

Teodoro stops sweeping, he’s looking questioningly at Josias. How many demands!

“What do you owe so many requests to, Josias?”

Josias gulps; he fears he has overdone his tone. Then he proceeds more calmly, “It's just that an unpleasant scene happened today. A girl who just moved here accidentally entered the men's room. But the door was wide open and she ended up seeing a guy all naked under the shower.”

Teodoro just chuckles. “Poor little girl, it was an accident. But, the bathrooms...”

“Yes, I know.” Josias adds, “The bathrooms are signposted. But, when we open the bathroom door, the jamb ends up covering the word 'masculine'. If the door was closed, the girl would have seen the sign and would not even try to open it. And there's more...” Josias lowers his voice, “I've always found this habit of leaving the door open for a shower to be somewhat bizarre.”

Teodoro realizes that he is getting to the bottom of the matter. “I understand, young man. You came from a more stable family, where each one has a turn to use the bathroom; and you’re now living in this building, where the bathroom is shared by everyone.”

“It is not that I came from a wealthy family. I just haven't gotten used to it yet. And the residents here make it more difficult for me to get used to it. And the worst of all was the jerk laughing at my face and implying that I was a sissy because I didn't want to see his dick! Wasn't it supposed to be the other way around?”

Teodoro gives a hearty laugh. “Son, it looks like you never played football or any other sport. When it comes to the locker room, this is exactly how you describe it. And nobody cares. Of course, you won't be staring... down there, all the time. Pretend they're in black tie and it’s enough.”

“Not really, in my adolescence, I didn't have time for football, movies, dating... I had to start to get by, because my mother was gone and my father was always messed up, he didn't stop at any job. That is when he got a job.”

Teodoro stops laughing. Indeed, Josias's life was not easy. Still, he notices Josias's stance when asking Teodoro to make arrangements for the men's bathroom. As far as he remembered the Bible, Josias was the name of one of the Kings of Israel. And Josias in front of him has some Middle Eastern features; if he grows a beard, he could pass for a Muslim. And Josias was speaking with narrowed eyes, a firm and determined jaw, a stern look... A real monarch, a sheik.

It was then that Teodoro understood why Everaldo said that memorable phrase, that Josias would be destined for big things, for a successful life. Josias had nature, had the posture of someone powerful, with authority, he always took the lead in matters. How he came to suggest improvements in the bathroom as if he were a partner in Teodoro and not just a tenant made it clear to the owner of the building that Josias had a bright future ahead of him. He was going to achieve what he wants.

“Don't worry, Josias.” Teodoro replies, “I will provide your suggestion.”

Josias smiles gratefully, noticing Teodoro's inquiring look. “What's it?”

“You didn't notice that you were talking to me as if you owned this building, did you?”

Josias is gaping, making gestures to apologize. “No, Seu Teodoro, no way! I didn't mean it, sorry if I was rude! It's just that assh—”

“Seu Teodoro, I need to talk to you about a sucker who is trying to put rules in the bathroom, trying to get over you.” The guy in the bathroom appears, shaved and dressed in overalls, probably to work in a mechanic shop. He smiles wryly when he sees Josias near Teodoro. “Ah, speaking of the Devil...”

“What is it, Jeremiah?” Teodoro asks without understanding that Josias was complaining about him.

The eyes of Jeremiah and Josias meet; the latter opens his eyes in irritation.