“You should go ahead and take off,” Mara said. “You were supposed to be off for two days, right?”
“Yeah,” I said.
“Well, go ahead and take three. I’ll email Al and copy you on it letting him know my screw up. If he has any issues, he can let us know.”
Mara wasn’t my boss, but she had been with the zoo for ten years, so she had seniority over me. Al was the boss directly below the big boss, and typically handled most of the staffing issues, but he was not a micro manager when it came to scheduling. As long as someone was doing the job, he didn’t really care who did it.
“Thanks, Mara, that would be amazing,” I breathed out.
I was going to need at least one full day to completely freak out, so this would give me another day to recover.
I gathered my stuff, then headed to Joe’s security office to make sure he was okay. My phone buzzed before I got to the door and since it was Aero, I answered.
“Hi,” I said.
“We’re done here, baby. You able to leave?”
“Yes. I’m just checking on Joe.”
“No, you’re comin’ to me now, Violet.Iwill take care of Joe.”
“Like you did the Bulykins?” I rasped.
“Baby, I will explain, but I need you to come.Now.”
I nodded, and turned away from Joe’s door, heading out a side door and making my way out to Aero.
“Baby, you still there?”
“Yes, I’m almost to you,” I said. “Don’t hang up.”
I was probably a few hundred yards from him, but I still felt like I needed the connection our phones brought.
“I won’t.”
I approached the gate, then pulled out my key card, swiping it and pushing the portal open. Then I was in Aero’s arms, and totally losing my shit.
“Baby, hold it together for just a little bit. I’ll drive you home and you can freak out in the car.”
“Will they come back for Joe?” I whispered.
“No. We’re gonna take care of him, but you need to get in the car, okay?”
He linked his pinky with mine and I nodded, then he released me just enough to lead me to the car but we didn’t quite make it, because my dad wrapped me tight into his arms and I had to grip his leather jacket not to fall.
“You okay?” Dad asked.
“Yes. I’m fine, Daddy.”
He loosened his grip and cupped my face. “You sure?”
I bobbed my head, lying in physical form.
“I’m gonna stop by later to make sure.”
I pressed my lips into a thin line and avoided his eyes.
“Gonna let you go now,” he said, and I escaped to the car.
