I check my phone and realize that I overslept. Dammit. Sitting up, I bolt out of my bed and into the closet, dressing as fast as I can. “I do have to work and I was supposed to be there over an hour ago.”
“Jesus, A, are you serious? Haven’t you been late every day since this whole Bain situation?”
“Don’t even start with that shit, Aubrey.”
She’s watching me, trying to understand where my sudden outburst came from.
“I’m sorry, I just don’t need any shit right now.”
“I’m not here to give you any shit. I was going to recommend that you call him.”
“Yeah, that’s not going to happen.”
“I just hate seeing you like this.”
“Yeah, well, I fucking hate feeling like this, but it’s for the best. It couldn’t have lasted forever.”
Leaning down, I give her a hug and run out of the apartment, heading to work as fast as I can. I can’t believe I overslept. I was late the other day and Gavina, my district manager, called the store after my shift started, asking for me. Of course, I wasn’t there and she was pissed.
Just as I pull up, Bain calls me – again. I hit decline. I can’t deal with him right now. Then the moment I walk in, I know I’m fucked. This time instead of a missed phone call, Gavina is inside and not only observing the store and talking to the employees and customers, she’s behind the counter making drinks. I put my head down and hang my shit up, then pull on my apron and prepare to face the music.
The moment Gavina sees me, she shakes her head and points at the office. Sonofabitch. Being reprimanded like a toddler, I walk in and pray that it’s just another ass chewing like she’s given me before.
She comes in with anger in her eyes, and I say, “I’m so sorry that I was—”
She cuts me off, raising her hand and slams the door. “Arion, save it. Do you have any idea how much I’ve stuck my neck out on the line for you to manage this store?”
I nod my head as she continues. “Well, you’ve sure pissed on me, like you don’t give a shit about this job.”
“I’m so sorry, it won’t happen again.”
“You’re right, it won’t. Because this time you’ve left me no choice. My boss came through the drive through this morning and you had no supervisor on duty.”
“But—” I try and cut her off to explain, but she just continues.
“If you could imagine how disappointed he was when your team members said there was no manager here. You know the rules. You have to have a manager on at all times, whether it’s you or your assistant manager. I tried to call you, Arion, and you didn’t answer. You’ve shown disregard for this store and your team lately. Your shift started over an hour ago and I don’t know what’s going on with you, but I can’t have it going on here. You need to handle your personal business and I need you to turn in your keys.”
“Gavina, please. It—”
“Don’t waste your breath. Either turn in your keys or I’ll have the building rekeyed.”
I stare back at her stunned. She just fired me. Reaching into my pocket, I toss my keys and badge on the desk. Then I turn around to leave. Knowing Gavina well, there is no point in arguing with her or trying to make my point. I made my bed, now I have to lie in it. As I walk out, I slowly pull my apron over my head and grab my stuff. Glancing back at my employees, they are all staring at me. I can’t bear to look at them or even wave. I get in my car, immediately dreading going home. God, I wish Bain was here.
I’m not sure if I can crawl back into that fucking bed again. I feel like I’ve spent all my time in it lately. Driving home, I’m in shock. I should be crying or upset, I just lost my fucking job. A job that I absolutely loved. But I’m not. The only thing that I feel is numbness. Grabbing my phone, I go to call Bain, I have to. He’ll know what to say and how to help me. What am I thinking? I no longer have that option. God, I’ve really ruined everything in my life.
There’s no way I’m that dependent on him. Or am I? My mind is swirling with a million different scenarios. I got fired, when all along Bain wanted me to quit. I go to call him automatically, when I know I can’t. Jesus, maybe I can’t push him away as easily as I thought. Although part of me wants to…I’m not sure it’s possible.
Whatever happens, please don’t let me get drafted to Phoenix. Pulling onto the freeway, it’s hot as fuck, the organization’s weird, and it’s the last place I can see myself living. Getting in my rental car, I make the quick drive to the hotel and can’t wait to relax. My body is beyond sore. I think working out for these two teams has been an eye opener for me. I don’t know how I’ll make it through Memphis, but I guess I’ll find out tomorrow.
I really shouldn’t be complaining though; it’s all a way to keep my mind busy. A way to focus on things other than the reality that I pissed her off and she left me. Again, I call her. It actually rings. She’s not declining my calls, but she’s still not answering.