The Pepper in the Gumbo (Men of Cane River #1)(42)

Paul wanted to laugh but knew it was in his best interests to just nod. “Sure do.”

“Good. I have another question maybe you could shed some light on. I hope you can forgive me for being nosy.”

“Go ahead,” he said. He couldn’t imagine a nosier question than whether he was happy or if he was still attending church.

“I heard you’re in town for a while. Now, my son lives in Atlanta and he said when a ScreenStop opened there, you came just for the day and then went back to the city.”

“That’s true,” Paul said.

“Are you working on another project in these here parts?” She held up a hand. “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to, but I was hoping you’d heard about our problem and were coming to lend a hand.” Her cheeks went pink. Paul realized that she wanted to ask him for a favor, but was worried he would be offended.

“Mrs. Joubert, anything you need. Please just ask. I’ll do anything I can.”

She swallowed. “We were tryin’ to get a grant for a new computer lab for the elementary and middle school but it went to a bigger school in New Orleans. A lot of our kids don’t have a computer at home. They think computer tech is all about getting on the Internet on their phones. They go on to the high school and the computer classes are so below standard that they’re not worth a plugged nickel.” Mrs. Joubert shook her head. “Our kids just can’t compete, Paul. The ones who get into college are struggling from the moment they set foot on campus. They don’t understand basic word processing, programming, web design, or graphic design.”

“So the school needs help? Mrs. Joubert, whatever I can do, I’ll be happy to pitch in.” He felt the truth of it deep in his soul. She had believed in him when he was just a scrawny kid who carried a chip the size of a cinder block on his shoulder. “You made everything seem possible, if I worked hard enough.”

She gripped his hand. “Yes! These kids could make the same sort of difference in science or technology in these here parts, if they got the chance. There are so many who need basic skills that they can only get with labs that are properly equipped. I had real hope that if we got the grant we could shore up the city, keep the young folks from movin’ away, but…”

He understood. It was the age-old dilemma of a small town: stay or go. Those on the edge of technological innovation never got a choice. They always had to go. “Tell me what I can do. What do you need?”

She took a few deep breaths, as if struggling for control. “I knew you would help. I knew, if I just asked, you would…” Her voice trailed away as her dark eyes filled with tears.

“Can you get a copy of the grant application? We could work from there.”

She nodded. “Sure can.”

He reached for his wallet, getting out his business card. “My email address is there. Send the application to me and I’ll find out where to go from there.” He shifted uncomfortably as Mrs. Joubert wiped her cheeks with both hands. “I’m glad I can help. It’s really nothing.”

Shaking her head, Mrs. Joubert reached up and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “You were always such a good boy, Paul. You’ve grown into a wonderful man. Your mama must be so proud.”

He patted her awkwardly on the arm and waved as she left the diner, still sniffing, although she was smiling.

The conversation in the diner had dropped while they were talking, and Paul looked up to see more than several pairs of curious eyes on him. He turned to the side, leaning against the wall, and took out his phone. He really didn’t want anyone asking what that was all about. In fact, he wished he’d remembered to tell Mrs. Joubert not to say anything. Paul stared unseeing at his phone’s screen, hoping the line would get significantly shorter in the next few minutes.

The door opened and Andy stepped through, glancing around the diner. His expression was a combination of determination and discomfort. “I’m guessing they’re not going to have my favorite organic, free-trade, Honduran coffee beans here.”

“Probably not.” Paul was relieved to see Andy. He was showered, shaved, and had on jeans and a button-up shirt with a tie. The guy looked like he wasn’t sure if he was on vacation or going to work. “I just ran into my sixth grade teacher.”

Andy let out a bark of laughter. “Did she say she always knew you’d make it big?” It was a joke between them. Andy knew exactly what it was like to excel in a field. Everyone and their cousin wanted to say they called it way back when, all the way to infancy.

He nodded. “Actually, she did.” At Andy’s look of disgust, Paul held up a hand. “And she’s the only person who can say that honestly, besides my own mother.”

“Well, I’m glad you got to see her, then.” He shrugged, looking around the diner. “You’re going to get a lot more where that came from, the longer we stay here.”

“Yeah,” Paul said. “Also, I may have promised to build them a technology center for the elementary, middle, and high schools. And pay for the teachers they hire.”

Andy made a noise that was between a gasp and a cough. “Build a what? Where?” His face drained of color. “Oh, man. I knew letting you come back here was a mistake.” He ran a hand through his hair, looking absolutely horrified.

“I didn’t make that promise lightly.”