spent Christmas day in the hospital. Or that you’ve moved to a new apartment because he’s now living with his mistress.”
“Right,” I whisper, fighting the urge to flinch or close my eyes.
“That is a rotten holiday break if I’ve ever heard of one,” Doreen says.
“Can you still work together?” Matt asks bluntly. “That’s the true reason we’re here. If you want him gone, we’ll transfer him. Cape Breton is in need of someone. It’s not ideal but he could go.”
Doreen winces, no doubt wanting to be more delicate with the question.
My mouth forms the word “no,” wanting so badly to ask them to fire him and ruin his life and send him into a financial crisis, but I don’t. “Of course. He has no need to come into my office. He always speaks to one of the other accountants or payable clerks. Honestly, we have always made certain our paths don’t cross here because of conflict of interest. He’s residential property management and I’m commercial accounting.” The words taste like dirt and ash, but they’re the truth and getting him fired would be based on a lie. Rod and I have never worked in close proximity of one another.
“You’re a champion, Lil. The company could work without Rod, but we would feel the loss of you. So whatever you need, don’t even ask. Just let us know what you’re doing. If you want to work from home, you can.”
“Thanks, Matt.” My heart swells.
“We love you, Lilly. You know that. If you need time off for anything just shoot me an email, and I’ll get someone to cover for you.” Doreen reaches across the desk and places her hand awkwardly over mine.
“Thank you, you guys. I don’t need anything though. I got a fair amount of stuff done last week. My sister is some form of robot.” I laugh bitterly.
“Yes, she seems quite efficient. If she ever needs a job, you let us know.” Matt laughs.
“Honestly, we would be so lucky. Maybe when she’s done having kids.” The idea of my sister working here makes me grin like the Grinch, knowing she would torment Rod.
“Okay, well we’ll let you get back to it. I know you said you could only work half days with the computer screen and the concussion. So, leave whenever you need,” Matt says as he walks to the door.
“And we are so sorry this is happening, Lil. You don’t deserve a fate like this one. And of course, happy New Year,” Doreen offers with another smile before they leave me to reflect on the fact that I just saved Rod’s job. Saved the man who hasn’t bothered to shoot me a text to find out how I am. Not even a Merry Christmas.
My skin crawls with the idea that I would want a text from him. Fortunately, I need to focus on work.
There’s enough to catch up on that it’s easy to become distracted by it. Hours later, sighing with exhaustion, I get up and log off the computers. My eyes are burning, and my head is hurting again. I might have overdone it, but I made a good dent in catching up.
Deciding I don’t want to experience the same nonsense I did coming in, I sneak to the side door and leave the building without seeing anyone. The cold fresh air is exactly what I need. It washes over me, soothing some of the aches and pains.
The walk home is slow, and I almost make a wrong turn once. But the view of shops decorated for Christmas and lights strung out along the streetlights is nice. I haven’t noticed it as much before. Maybe because downtown Halifax hasn’t been my residential neighborhood for years.
People pass with smiles and shopping bags from taking advantage of the Boxing Week sales. Their cheeks and noses are reddened with the cool air and eyes are bright with the spirit of the holidays.
It’s refreshing to watch everyone else living their lives instead of focusing on how much mine sucks.
At a closed shop, I pause for a small break and stare in the dark window, still unable to recognize the woman staring back. I’ve never felt so strange in my own skin before. I decide not to dwell on it, I’m too exhausted. Maybe next month when the dust settles and reality hits and I have a small breakdown, I’ll try to sort myself out.
I continue on walking.
When I finally get home to the apartment building, I fumble with the keys in