I felt the breath escape from my body when Thomas said that to me. I didn't even know when I finished the route. When I realized it, I was talking to Anna at the school gate.
“So, what do you think?” Anna asked, then placed a hand on my shoulder.
Just as I was about to ask what she was talking about, Thomas arrived. I felt my body tense up and my heart rate increase. My eyes couldn't leave him, even though he never looked at me.
Anna immediately went to order her food after what he said. Although I was a little confused about whether I should look for Anna at my house, I said goodbye to Anna and went to find something to eat.
We could eat in the employee cafeteria or wherever we wanted. I ordered a sandwich, but after two bites I couldn't eat anymore. My stomach felt queasy, and every time I took a bite, it was difficult to swallow, as if something were stuck in my throat. I sat there for a while, staring at the sandwich, until my alarm went off to signal the end of today's route.
By four o'clock, I was standing in front of Thomas's door. My feet were rooted to the spot, my mind searching for solutions to get out of this, but in my heart I knew I was lost. It was already my fourth late arrival in less than two weeks. With what little strength I had left, I knocked on the door and heard a pass.
I opened the door and there was Thomas with his curly hair combed back, a white shirt rolled up to his forearms, leaning on the desk while working on the computer, with what I think are traces of pozole. I finished entering and stood at the door while he finished typing.
My feet began to hurt, and when he deigned to look at me, I fell into a bottomless pit as his gaze connected with mine. His eyes scanned my face just as they had that morning, and a tingling sensation and emptiness invaded my stomach, causing me to feel a whirlwind of emotions.
“You've been standing there for seven minutes. Why don't you sit down?” His voice flooded my ears as he motioned for me to take a seat.
“So Oliver, this is your fourth tardy,” his eyes never left me, even as he threw the leftover food in the trash.
I was screwed.
I tried to straighten my body in the chair, even though I felt like I was sitting in lava.
I swallowed loudly before trying to respond, “I lo—” He raised his hand, silencing me.
Of course, there's no point in talking.
He rested his elbows on the desk and interlaced his fingers under his chin as he stared at me. I tried to look away, but I remembered what he said to me this morning.
“You were going to apologize, right?” A mocking smile appeared on his face and his eyes took on a teasing gleam.
As if to tell me not to mess with him.
I looked down at my sweaty hands and tried to hide the fear that was eating away at me inside.
“What did we talk about the last time you were here, Oliver?” he said as he picked up some papers from his desk.
“I told you that more than three tardies and you're out. Do you think this is child's play?” He shook his head as he placed the papers in front of me.
“I'm really sorry, Thomas. I didn't mean to...”
“I'm listening. Speak.”
“I, um...” I took a deep breath before continuing. “Um... I'm not sleeping well. My neighbors aren't the quietest at night, and even though I'm...” My voice broke, and I felt a lump in my throat that prevented me from speaking.
I pinched my fingers as I tried to speak again, my eyes searching for something to focus on other than Thomas.
An oppressive silence enveloped the office, where only my labored breathing could be heard. I felt like I was drowning with everything I had to say and couldn't.
“How many years have we known each other, Oliver, six, seven? But don't think that means I won't fire you.” He got up from his seat and walked to the window.
“Please, Thomas, give me one more chance. I swear it won't happen again,” I begged as he continued to stare out the window.
He turned around and walked toward me. “The problem, Oliver, is that I can't afford to have irresponsible drivers.”
“The fact that you arrive late and haven't slept well puts my students' lives at risk, and I won't allow that.”
I...
Did I lose it?
I lost my job.
My last change gone
With every passing second, I felt the air slipping away.
“But if you want the job so badly, I could make an exception for you.” My soul returned to my body, and air began to flow through my lungs again.
I quickly stood in front of him and took his large hands in mine. My action caught him off guard, but I didn't care. I needed this job.
He squeezed my hands and then gently pulled them away. “You're moving into my house TODAY, not tomorrow, not later, TODAY, or if you want, I'll fire you.” I quickly moved away from him.
Why does he want me to move in with him?
Does he want to see Samanta ?
“Why should I move into your house?” My questioning gaze fixed on his face, but he remained calm, as if he hadn't just asked me to move in with him.
“Choose: move in with me today or lose your job,” he said as he handed me the termination papers.
Should I lose my job or lose my dignity?
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