Page 122 of Nuts

A cheesy smile formed despite my best efforts to prevent it. “You won’t be disappointed.”

“I know I won’t.”

“Do I have all the freedom in the world to make changes that I believe will make improvements?”

“You’re the boss. The buck, as they say, stops with you.”

“What if you disagree with my decisions?”

“I won’t second guess a manager,” he said. “Unless the sales figures go below the benchmark.”

I knew that would never happen. “No matter what?” I asked.

He gave a sharp nod. “No matter what.”

“Thank you.”

“Undermining a manager’s decisions doesn’t make for an effective manager. I’m an asshole,” he said. “But I’m an intelligent asshole.”

I stood. “Anything else?”

“That’s it.”

“Again. Thank you.”

“Thank you, Joey.”

I walked through the door, and to the parts department. Blane was on his phone. I purposely walked behind him and glanced at him. He was updating his Facebook status.

“When you clock out tonight,” I said. “Take your stuff with you.”

“What stuff?”

“Anything you want to keep. I reminded you of the company’s policy on Facebook. You signed the employee manual. Yet, you continue as if you don’t care. You’re officially fired.”

He shot me a condescending look. “You can’t fire me.”

“I just did.”

“You’re not even the manager. My dad outsells every other salesman in the--”

“I am the manager. Go get a job working for your dad. You’re done working for me.”

“Fucking bitch,” he snarled.

“Keep it up,” I said. “And that guy who bought the tank console will be paying you a visit.”

He clenched his jaw, looked at the timeclock, and then at me. “Fuck you. I quit.”

“As long as you leave, that’s all that matters to me.”

He stomped to the timeclock, took out his card, and punched it.

“Have a nice life,” he said over his shoulder.

Believe me.

I intend to.