you can't fire me
Liam
“You’refired.”
My vision sharpened, my ears rang, and for a moment, my brain refused to process the words.You’re fired?What does that even mean?
Until my phone rang, my morning had been uneventful.I’d just stopped in the bookstore to wait for Nana to get ready to go out when my boss called me.I expected Chet was getting back to me to schedule the meeting I’d requested before coming to Carlisle Creek.
Apparently, that was not the case.
It looked like my tactfully worded email requesting a sit-down to discuss his son’s performance wasn’t as well-received as I had hoped.And I’d agonized over that wording, too.Do you have any idea how hard it was to find a constructive way to say,“Your son is a dumbass who needs to learn how to do his job before he pisses off a client with his moronic actions.”?The kid was desperate to be Don Draper fromMad Men,but he didn’t seem to understand that even Don Draper wanted to be Don Draper.It was actually a little sad how desperately he wished the advertising and marketing world operated the way it did in that show.
Still, he was the boss’s kid, so I thought we could set a meeting, hammer out some expectations, and that would be that.Looks like I was wrong about that.
I scoffed.“You’re not serious?You can’t fire me.”
“I am very serious, Liam,” Chet said, sounding bored with this conversation already.“My son explained that you’ve been limiting his opportunities.”He sighed.“Given the circumstances, I think it’s best that we part ways.”
The long nights.The missed holidays.The time with Nana that I’d sacrificed, and for what?The throbbing in my temples drowned out the rest of Chet’s speech.
“And Greg?”I pinched the bridge of my nose, bumping my glasses carelessly.“Are you letting him go?Or will you ask him to stay on as Chad’s assistant?”Yes, Chet had named his son Chad, and yes, they were both every bit the frat bro their names implied.I was certain Greg would rather eat the contents of Mr.Fluffy’s litter box for lunch every day than become Chad’s assistant for a single minute, but I had to ask.
“Greg will also receive a severance package,” Chet said.“HR will be contacting him today to go over the details.”
Pressure continued to build behind my eyes, until I no longer cared what Chet had to say.All I wanted was for the call to end.
“I’m disappointed to hear you’ve been holding Chad back.Honestly, Liam, I expected more after all I’ve done for you.”
I choked on my saliva, fighting to hold back my laughter.He’d lost his marbles.That must be it.No sane man would think Chad was good at his job.“Listen, Chet, if anyone is holding Chad back, it’s Chad.I’m sure you’ll find that out soon enough.Have Human Resources email the exit paperwork.I’ll get it back to you as soon as I can.”I stabbed theend-callbutton without waiting for a reply and tossed my phone onto the couch.
“Well, shit.”I dragged a hand down my face as the pounding in my head worsened.“Fuck, fuckity, fuck-fuck.Shit.”A humourless laugh escaped me.“This is just fucking fantastic.”
Now what?
I’d given that company so much of myself over the last three years, and Chet fired me after one complaint from his son?I couldn’t decide whether it was hilarious or infuriating.
“Whoa.Let’s take it down a notch or three, sailor.”
I glanced up to see Maya leaning against the counter, arms crossed, grinning as though my breakdown was the most entertainment she’d had in weeks.
“Is the potty mouth really necessary?”
“Considering I just got fired, I’d say yes”—I blew out a harsh breath and shook my aching head—“swearing is 100% necessary.Pipsqueak.”My lips tilted into a wan smile.“Do you always eavesdrop on your customers’ private conversations, or is that something special you’re doing for me alone?”
“Fired, huh?That sucks.”
I blinked at her.“That’s it?That’s all you’re going to say?”
“Were you expecting a hug or something?”
“No.Of course not.But if you’re offering…” I opened my arms, smiling wider.
She responded by crossing her arms more tightly around herself and frowning harder.“Guess with being unemployed you’ll have more time to visit Nana now, hey?”
The disdain in her voice made me smile.There’sthe Maya I was expecting.A hug would have been nice, though.“You don’t like me very much, do you?”
“Nope.”She grinned.“Not even a little bit.”
