Chapter Eleven: Movin' On Up

Adam goes to a house one day in the city and assumes it will be an easy move. He goes inside and sees that the woman that is moving has packed none of her things. It takes them until 7:30 that night to finish the job. While Adam is on the job, he breaks a toe, but he continues his work. He goes to the hospital after work and realizes that this hospital visit will cost him. He won't be able to rent an apartment as soon as he would like.He is "so ready to 'move on up,'" but he can't due to his financial condition, or lack thereof (Shepard 137). Adam planned to move out of the shelter in 2 days, but he can't since now he is not able to work. He sat around for 5 days and did nothing. He thinks about how much worse the situation could be: there could be children involved who now have no money for meals since he can't work. He is very fortunate. On his birthday, he packs his things and moves into an attic room in the house of a friend, Mickey. He decides he will live there for 2 months. Then, he will get a nicer apartment. The next Wednesday, Adam's first day back at Fast Company, he is assigned to work with Derrik Hale. Derrik has worked for Fast Company for 3 years and is the best mover in the whole company. Not only is Derrik efficient, he is also a friendly guy. On the last day he rides the bus, Adam writes a letter to the bus driver. Every day, no matter what, the bus driver greets all the riders with a smile and "Good morning." Every day, he puts Adam in a good mood, even though he probably has no idea that he does. In his letter Adam thanks the bus driver for being so extraordinary although the man is and average Joe. His smile every morning really means a lot to Adam. Because he does not ride the bus anymore, he buys a truck, which he negotiates for with confidence and cash-in-hand. He works with Derrik and Mike, another great mover, for a few days, and they decide to form a crew together. Derrik and Adam form a true friendship, in which neither truly needs the other, but they work together anyways. Adam works more than 6 hours each day and is exhausted, but he knows that is exactly what he asked for when he began this project.

Adam stresses in this chapter the importance of true relationships with others. Surrounding oneself with people who have the right attitude is just as important as actually having the right attitude. People can get through life living on their own, but living with people who genuinely care is what will make success in the end.