Page 126 of Seasons of Love
He places his pudgy hands on his hips and lets out a frustrated sigh. “I don’t know what else I can do for you, Milo. You tell me you want more hours. I’m helping you out, offering you an additional job that pays better, and now you say you can’t do it?”
I don’t know what to say to save the situation. I need the security of this job, but I can’t work nights. There’s no way I can ask Florrie to look after Sara during the night. And how would I take care of Sara during the day? When would I rest?
When I don’t answer, Gerald continues, “Word on the street is you have a second job working somewhere else.”
My blood goes cold. I know Pauline couldn’t have told him, especially since she’s still on her break.
Jimmy. It has to have been him.
“That’s right, Gerald. I am doing a few hours here and there, but I promise it’s not affecting my work here. I just needed the money, and you said you didn’t have hours to give me.”
“Well, I do now. Starting today. Jimmy was feeling unwell, so he went home. You’re doing his shift.”
“But—”
Gerald raises his hand. “Think carefully about what you’re going to say next, young man. Remember the chain of command in this place. If you still want a job to return to tomorrow, you’re staying to cover Jimmy’s shift. As for the night job. Take it or don’t take it, but don’t come crying to me asking for more hours because there won’t be any.”
I nod. “I’ll stay tonight, and I’ll let you know about the other job.”
He turns around and heads toward his office, where he’ll no doubt sit doing nothing for the rest of the afternoon, as usual, or thinking about how he can make someone else’s life miserable.
No matter how much I try, I can’t muster my usual cheerfulness. Even Ethel notices, and I have to convince her I have a headache and will be fine as soon as I have my break.
When I have a break, I grab my phone to call Tyler to tell him I can’t make the soup kitchen shift and ask him to apologize to Ellis for me for standing him up, but the battery is dead.
Next to my phone, there’s a chocolate bar with a note. I recognize Pauline’s handwriting.
Sorry the dick made you stay late. Hope this cheers you up. See you tomorrow.
Her message makes me feel better, and I praise the day I gave her my locker combination when she forgot hers because this chocolate bar is the only thing I’ll have to eat until I get home tonight.
The chocolate gives me some energy, but it also settles in my stomach like a heavy rock. Or maybe it’s just the weight of the decisions I have to make.
I can’t afford to lose my job at the store and could use the security of another permanent job.
The work I’m doing for Ellis is only temporary, even if it’s the most fulfilling thing I’ve done in years, apart from raising Sara.
I feel like I’m stuck at a crossroads, and no matter which way I go, I still lose.
14
ELLIS
The meeting with Principal Lewis drags a little longer than I expected, but I’m glad she agrees on the updated after-school program I’ve been working on at home in my spare time.
She then surprises me by encouraging me to apply for the assistant principal job that will come up in the middle of the next school year when the current assistant principal announces his retirement.
When I moved to Stillwater, I expected a lot of challenges. After all, I transferred in the middle of the last school year and hadn’t been here a month before she discussed the after-school program with me. Something I expected to be handed over to a more established teacher.
I didn’t need to be afraid because I felt part of the team from the first day. To be encouraged to apply for the new vacancy is something I need to process.
Being a principal is one of my professional goals, and god knows I’ve been knocked down enough to want to hold on to this opportunity with everything I have. But I also don’t want to jeopardize the great relationship I have with the other teachers in the school.
I feel bad for clock-watching, but I want to make sure I have time to stop by my place to pick up the stuff I’ve gathered for Milo.
Principal Lewis closes her notebook. “I think we’ve covered everything. I’m sorry for keeping you so long. I’m meeting the gang at The Academy for a few drinks. Want to join us, Ellis?”
“I would, honestly, but I’m volunteering at the soup kitchen this evening and have an errand to run before. I really should be going.”
