Page 18 of Returning to Pine Ridge
“I used to work for HelixGen Corp,” I say. “In Denver. I was a UX designer on their product team.”
Dad’s eyes widen slightly. He knew I worked in tech, but we never discussed specifics beyond what my role was.
“I found evidence of unethical practices,” I continue. “Data farming. They were collecting information without proper consent, using it to build psychological profiles, selling that data to third parties. When I reported it to my boss, he didn’t care. He told me it was standard practice. When I pushed back and refused to work on projects I knew were exploitative, he …” I force myself to say the next words. “… he fired me. And he made sure I was blacklisted from every tech company in Denver.”
The silence that follows is heavy. Kai’s hand searches for mine and gives it a squeeze.
Dad looks at me like I’m someone he doesn’t quite recognize. Like the son he thought he knew just revealed himself to be a stranger.
“Atlas,” he says, his voice careful. “When did this happen?”
“A while ago,” I admit. “I’ve been unemployed for a few months. I’m sorry … I lied to everyone about how great things were going in Denver because I didn’t want to disappoint you.”
My dad’s jaw clenches. He looks away for a moment, and I can see him processing this information, fitting it into thenarrative he had about his son. The successful son. The one who made it big.
“Why didn’t you tell us?” His voice is quiet, but there’s an undercurrent of hurt underneath it.
“Because I was ashamed,” I say simply. “I didn’t know how to admit that I failed. Because I was scared you’d look at me the way you’re looking at me right now.”
Dad opens his mouth, then closes it. He runs his hand through his hair—a gesture so familiar it breaks my heart a little.
Vaughn places a hand on my dad’s shoulders. “Mr. Navarro, I’ve dealt with companies like HelixGen Corp before. Your boy knows what he’s talking about.”
My dad hangs on Vaughn’s words, but his eyes are still on me. There’s worry there now.
I don’t know what’s worse. Disappointing my dad, or having him be angry that I lied.
“We need to stop them,” Kai says, breaking the moment with his steady voice. “Before the mayor signs anything and HelixGen Corp gets their hooks into this town.”
“Agreed,” Mrs. Field says. “But we need a plan. And we need evidence.”
“I have some evidence,” I say, wondering if it’s wise to share the next part. “Before I left I gathered documentation of their practices. Lawsuits they’ve settled discreetly. A pattern of exploitation in small communities just like Pine Ridge. I was angry and wanted to expose them but—” After realizing I couldn’t get a job anywhere else, I knew it would be worse to put myself in a position where HelixGen could come after me in other ways.
Vaughn runs his hand over his short salt-and-pepper scruff. “Then we present it. We show the town what HelixGen Corp really is. We make it impossible for the mayor to sign anything without public backlash.”
“I can help,” I say. “I can put together a presentation. Show everything they’ve done.”
Mrs. Field agrees to reach out to the library board, to make sure they understand what’s at stake. Kai promises to document everything HelixGen is trying to do to his project.
Through all of this, Dad is quiet. He’s listening, but a distant, hurt look clouds his face.
When the group finally disperses, Dad pulls me aside while Kai talks to Mrs. Field.
“We need to talk,” he says. “About all of this. About why you didn’t tell us.”
“I know,” I say. “I will. I promise. But right now, we need to focus on stopping HelixGen.”
“And after that?”
“After that, I’ll tell you everything.”
He reaches out and squeezes my shoulder—halfway to a hug. The pressure says he loves me, but also that he’s disappointed and we’ve got work ahead.
“Your mother doesn’t know any of this.”
“I know.”
“We’ll need to tell her.”
