First week of November, Hopeton began his twice monthly visits. By the time he showed up I’d managed to wrap my head around all of Mundo’s company’s dysfunctional projects.
With the help of my coordinador de proyectos, Wilkie Lim, I’d managed to
Confirm a list of active projects- two mid-sized shopping plazas located right outside the Panama City limits in Arraiján, and two mid-tier gated communities located in a rising suburban area along the El Llano corridor, all over budget and behind schedule
Conduct multiple status meetings with each of the construction companies we’d engaged
Set each project up with my own set of internal tracking documents- a clean budget and deliverables list, laddering up to a realistic revised timeline
Work with Wilkie to define his role and responsibilities and get him up to speed, to ensure he’d be able to function as my assistant
Contrary to the portrait of incompetence Mundo had tried to sell me, Wilkie was a sharp kid who, when given correct information and clear direction, was really good at his job. I made Mundo give him a decent laptop and a small raise. Then I pulled Wilkie aside and let him know I planned to make sure he received proper training, so once I was gone he’d be able to run his own projects- hopefully at a more viable company.
Hopeton’s arrival gave me a surprising sense of comfort. Despite all of the time I'd logged there over the years, Panama City would never be my home and I needed to see a familiar face. Mundo's didn't count.
I texted Hopeton three days prior to his arrival.
What time you arrive Friday? I want to pick you up at the airport.
Flight lands at 3pm. Come get me if you want.
Where you staying?
TheInterContinental Miramar.
Okay. I’mma pick you up and then we need to have dinner together at your hotel.
That bad?
Not really, but I need to vent.
Not surprised. Can’t wait.
Bring me a slice of pizza from Gino’s!
The second I saw Hopeton it was like a thousand pounds of stress and anxiety had dropped from my body.
“Rude bwoy,” Hopeton hailed me up. I gave him a firm handshake and a genuine smile.
My driver was busy stowing his luggage into the back of the Prado.
“You got your own car and driver now,” he commented.
“Yeah! Remember, you told me to put it in my contract,” I reminded him.
“Because I have sense,” he laughed. “And I knew Mundo was gonna drive you to drink. You were definitely going to need someone else carrying you around.”
My driver dropped us at the InterContinentaland I told him he could clock out for the weekend.
“Nos vemos el lunes. Pásame a buscar a las diez.”
Hopeton let out a low whistle. “You really are the bigga boss now, Cabrón.”
I told him to shut the fuck up and grabbed his suitcase.
After he was done checking in, Hopeton said he needed to go upstairs and take a quick shower.
“No need to rush,” I told him. “I have my laptop with me and plenty of work to take care of. Meet me downstairs in the bar whenever you’re ready.”
“Oh, I forgot,” Hopeton said as he reached into his carry-on bag. “I got you a slice of pizza from Gino’s.”
Good thing I loved cold pizza.
Hopeton joined me about an hour later, looking refreshed and dapper in a oversized, short-sleeved cotton shirt, loose drawstring pants and slides.
“How’s it going down here?” Hopeton asked. “It’s been a month now, right?”
“Yeah,” I replied. “A month. And it already feels like a year.”
Hopeton gave me a look that clearly said, ‘here comes Bitter ‘Brón.’ He flagged down a waiter and ordered a pitcher of Balboa and a glass of limonada. When they arrived, he drank half of the limonada and poured beer into the glass.
“I am not being Bitter Brón, Hopeton,” I said, firmly. “As a matter of fact, I’m pleased to report that I have a firm grasp on all four of Mundo’s projects and I have a new prospect for Team PanStar. But we’ll have to keep Mundo in the dark about it.”
I proceeded to give him the rundown on Wilkie Lim.
“Hmmmmmm,” Hopeton mused. “Wilkie Lim. He must be Jamaican somewhere back in his family tree.”
I laughed and told him I’d been waiting for him to say that.
