Chapter 10 - BLAKE ASKED ME FOR SOMETHING HE HAD NEVER ASKED FOR BEFORE
“Can you help me?”
That was the sentence.
Not:
You owe.
Not:
Family.
Not:
Dad would want.
Blake called on a Tuesday.
I was in Northline training center reviewing apprenticeship numbers.
“What kind?”
“I’m applying for a job.”
I almost dropped phone.
“You?”
“Yes.”
“Job.”
“Yes.”
“Where?”
“Commercial property company.”
I remembered source ending that he eventually worked property management. This continuation actually occurs after that? Wait source already says Blake found commercial property management and happier, and they had coffee fifteen years after birthday. We are continuing after source endpoint where Blake already in commercial property management. So need continuity: he is already working property management. Ah! We have been writing him as not having work after Cole ends. But source says later he found something outside Cole, before June's wedding and after 15 years. Our continuation should be after source ending, which included Blake in property management. We set two years after June's wedding, so Blake already property manager. We should have preserved. In previous chapters we said after company end “What will you do?” and he didn't know, conflicting. Need fix retroactively in chapter 8 before final? We can in output correct: after Cole sale, his current property management company maybe small and tied to clients, but he could lose because investigation. Let's avoid contradiction now: In source, Blake already works in commercial property management, so throughout he should be there. We can assume he had that job and asked “what will you do” meaning with Cole shares? But text said don't know. Could interpret he doesn't know emotionally, not job. Still okay-ish. Now in CH10, he asks help with a promotion/technical certification instead of job. Let's adapt.
“Can you help me?”
“What kind?”
“I’m bidding a building portfolio and HVAC scope is killing me.”
Interesting.
He works commercial property management, needs understanding not money/connection.
“Send specs.”
He does. Ethan helps explain, not bid illegally. Nice.
May you like
But need drama: Blake has been offered partnership at company but background environmental scandal makes board hesitant. He asks Ethan to write reference? Maybe Ethan refuses or gives truthful. Let's use.
He says company considering him for regional partner, board wants reference from someone in industry, suggested Ethan. He wants Ethan only if can be truthful. Ethan says yes, but will include failures. Blake says that's why. This shows growth.
