The thoughts were only a reminder that time was running out.
Jean paid him no mind as he approached her desk. She was invested in her current reading material. Tomás hated these exchanges the most. A language all of her own saying don't waste my time. “Whaddya want?”
"I need your help."
She closed her eyes. Tomás shoulders slumped as he saw that mischievous smile she was known for suppressed on her lips. "Ah. Finding illegal spells ain't enough?"
He was instantly annoyed she wasn't taking him seriously. It made him feel as if he was back in his shoes as a student. His hard-headed personality would always clash with her wit. However, she did guide him to become one of the biggest assets of the magical organization known as the Archive. And without Jean, he couldn't be doing what he's doing now: Going against everything the Archive stood for.
"It's related," Tomás replied.
Jean gently closed the book. Her tired eyes finally rose up to give her full attention. "Of course it is."
"I need you to hire someone."
She looked over the brim of her glasses. "I'm already full staff."
Tomás expected her to say something along those lines. Hence, why he did very intensive research! Asking if anyone was going to retire soon on his way in. "He can take Terry's place as Vaughan Glass tour guide."
Jean was not impressed. He quickly added a grin and jazz hands. This only got her to roll her eyes. "Where will I get the money to—"
“I’ll pay his wages,” Tomás desperately offered. He gritted his teeth in embarrassment. "...It's Remington."
The once teacher rubbed her temples. Slowly, she sank down in her chair. "Why do I have to be the babysitter? You're the one that wants to keep an eye on him."
"Yeah, well." Tomás bounced his hands up and down. He had to pause to find the right words. "I would keep him, but he's still not out of his shell. I think you and your crew would be a better for him than being in back of a restaurant washing dishes."
"Then move him to the front with customers."
"I can't! Tetsuo has been coming in more recently. It's like their souls know. If they meet, we'll have even less time!"
"You know that it could be avoided if you told Tetsuo what was going on."
Tomás groaned. "I'm not going to tell my trans-son that his soul is broken."
"It's not broken. It's divided between two people. There's a difference."
"I am not going to tell him!"
Jean shrugged. "Fine. I'll tell Remington when he starts."
Tomás jaw dropped. Slowly, he closed it with a glare. He couldn't tell if she was being serious or not. Her smirk was not helping. "Does that mean you'll take him?"
"No!" She waved her hand dismissively. "Send him to Fernando's orchard."
He shook his head. "I already tried. Remington refuses to do any sort of farm work. I suggested here, and kind of already told him I would put in a good word."
Jean shook her head. The back-and-forth was making her exhausted. She offered Tomás a seat. He folded his arms to silently say he was fine where he was. "If I take him, Villa's Restaurant will host all Vaughan Glass celebrations free of charge."
The fist pump could not be contained in his excitement. "Yes! Thank you, Jean."
She smirked with a tilt of her head. Jean called out, "Berari bedzh." The cinnamon red barrier melted down the walls. They soon returned to their normal beige color. "Now get out. I can't research with you hoverin' around."
Hope overflowed from Tomás' heart to his eyes. He quickly turned around to blink away the escapee tears. They were so close to saving his son and Remington from their dire fate. But time waits for no one.
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