Page 3 of A Christmas Adventure

Now she feels stupid because it's not okay. Her mother, at fifty-four, has been left alone overnight, and on top of that, she's in charge of a business that requires all her attention, which is in full swing and in the most demanding month. How could her father have been so inconsiderate in every way?

"You don't need to come, Violet. I'm just calling to vent. Don't worry, I'll manage as best I can. Right now, when I go, I'll hang a sign that I need helpers. You know people always show up as soon as word gets around."

"People who have no idea, who hinder more than help, Mom," Violet laments, feeling helpless.

"Nobody's born learned. Come on, I'm feeling better now," she says, trying to appear strong.

Violet knows her better than anyone and knows she's devastated, that her heart inside is broken, and that on top of that, she'll have to endure questions and comments in the village when people notice her father's prolonged absence.

Mother and daughter say goodbye, and when Violet hangs up, she has to contain the urge to cry. Teresa, a bitrough in manners and very funny in Violet's eyes, puts a foot on one of the legs of her desk and pushes until her chair rolls and covers the three meters that separate her from Violet's desk.

"What happened?" she asks with a nosy face.

It's not that she's one for gossip, but anyone who didn't know her would think so. Violet summarizes the situation while trying to digest it.

"If I ask Hernán for a couple of days off, can you manage on your own?"

"Of course, silly. I'll advance as much as I can on my part, and when you come back, I'll give you a hand with yours so we can catch up. Two days are nothing, the project won't suffer, and the presentation will be ready."

"Thanks, Tere."

Teresa receives the kiss on the cheek that Violet gives her before getting up and rushing towards her boss's office. She watches her run and envies her colleague's energy, although at thirty-two, she was like that too, or maybe even more active. Now, at forty and after two pregnancies, she feels her body carries the weight of two lives.

Violet finds the door ajar and peeks in. Her boss seems to sense her presence and stops looking at photos on his phone to know what she wants.

"Come in, Violet," he says kindly.

She walks slowly while her eyes fix on the horrible purple tie with black polka dots hanging from his neck. Hernán Carro is a middle-aged man who would sweepwomen off their feet if it weren't for his awful taste in matching clothes.

"What can I do for you?"

Violet sits in front of him and rubs her hands nervously when she realizes it's the first time in all the years she's been there that she's come in to ask for a few personal days.

"You see, Hernán," she uses his first name because he asked her to do so a long time ago, when thanks to her and Teresa, the company received a million-dollar project, "I wanted to ask you for a couple of days to go visit my mother in the village."

"Has something serious happened?" he asks with feigned interest.

"Well, it's not serious, but she needs me."

"Has someone died?"

Violet's eyes roll three times before she shakes her head.

"Is someone sick?"

She denies, bewildered and not knowing if she should run out of the office.

"Well, I'm very sorry, Violet, but you know how important it is that we deliver the project on the agreed dates."

"But Teresa and I are meeting each part on time..."

"That's precisely why. If you're absent, I fear that perfect harmony will break, and I can't allow it. I'm sorry about whatever is happening with your mother, Violet, but you only have to hold on until the end of the month. We deliver the project, and we all take vacations. If you needmore time after that, no problem, but before that, it's impossible."

Violet doesn't insist. She's too nervous and affected by what her mother has told her to grovel in front of such an insensitive person.

"Violet," he calls her before she reaches the door. "Your efforts will be rewarded starting next year, I promise."

She nods and leaves thinking he's a hypocrite. This is the third time he's promised her a raise in the last two years, and none of the previous ones have been fulfilled.