Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 60864 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 304(@200wpm)___ 243(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60864 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 304(@200wpm)___ 243(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
Could that ever be something I wanted? If I did, would I ever have it?
That was really the last thing I needed to be thinking about, so I put it out of my mind and tried to enjoy the rest of my day off. As it turned out, I needed to focus on putting Ally out of my mind a lot throughout the week. I kept wondering about her, wanting to know more about her. It was almost as if running to her rescue during the mugging gave me some sense of responsibility over her.
It was another long week, but that was a good thing. I would always much rather have a busy week that kept me hopping than a slow, boring one that stretched out because there was nothing to fill the time. When Friday rolled around, I was feeling tired but good. My shift had just ended, and I was getting ready to leave when Mr. Murphy stuck his head out of his office.
“Jodi, can I have a word with you really fast?” he asked.
“Sure,” I said, trying to sound perky and not at all like I was hoping he wouldn’t make me work on the one day off I had that week.
It would actually be a good thing if he did ask. It would mean extra money and a bit more peace of mind. On the other hand, I was tired and could really use the time off.
I went into the office and found Mr. Murphy sitting at his desk. This immediately struck me as odd. The only other time I’d ever seen my boss sitting at the desk like that was before he was my boss and interviewed me in that office. But even then, he had less of a serious expression on his face.
“Hey, Jodi,” he said when I stepped inside.
“Hey. You wanted to see me?”
“Yes.” He continued to fiddle with the papers in front of him. It looked like he was trying to look busy and important. Instead, it looked like he was stalling and maybe trying to cover something up. “Come on in and have a seat. Shut the door.”
I closed the door and sat in the chair across the desk from him. “I feel like I got called into the principal’s office.”
My awkward laugh died in my throat almost as quickly as it had formed. Mr. Murphy didn’t look amused. In fact, he looked upset.
“Jodi, we need to talk,” he said.
“No good conversation has ever started with that sentence,” I said. “What’s going on?”
“I’m going to have to let you go.”
Just like that. He didn’t even have the decency to pretend he was going to sugarcoat or beat around the bush. In most situations, being straightforward and succinct was appreciated. But in this particular scenario, I might have liked at least a cursory effort at letting me down gently. Maybe he could have tossed a couple of vague compliments and platitudes my way just to make it less jarring.
“Why?” I asked. “I’ve been on time every day this week. I was even early a couple of days. The customers like me. I get great tips every day. I get along with the other people who work here.”
Mr. Murphy was nodding, agreeing with everything I said about myself but not budging.
“All of that is true, but you were also hired under the table. The owner found out I did that a couple of times, and she’s been breathing down my neck about it. She said she can’t have that going on in her business. So you and George have to go,” he said.
“So, because you did something you knew you weren’t supposed to do, we get the short end of the stick?” I asked, feeling angry now. “George is the hardest-working dishwasher you are ever going to find. He has been with you for years.” I stood up, my eyes stinging as I glared at him.
“I’m sorry it came to this, Jodi. Like you said, you’re a great employee when you’re punctual.”
I rolled my eyes, letting out a sigh. “Can’t pass up an opportunity for one last parting shot, can you?”
“That wasn’t my intention. This isn’t an easy decision for me,” he insisted.
“Somehow, I don’t believe that.”
“Jodi, this is the way it is. There’s nothing that can be done about it. If you leave now, I’ll make sure you get a good recommendation wherever you end up next.”
I nodded and walked out of the office without another word. I was furious and hurt, but there really wasn’t anything I could do but accept it. I had some money put aside. Not a lot, but enough to carry me through a short time. I had also just paid my rent, so I had the room for the rest of the month. Utilities were included, so that was pressure off.