Page 68 of Love at a Funeral and Other Awkward Conversations

“You’d be prettier if you smiled more.”

The men behind him snicker, and I dream of stabbing him with a dull knife. I settle for a snarl instead.

“Bet she’s an animal in bed,” one of them says as I stomp away.

I’m about to pivot around to say something, but Celia, their server, snags my wrist. “It’s not worth it,” she says and nudges me to the back. I lean against the register stand and take a minute to peek at my phone. There’s a message from Vince.

How are you today?

He’s checking on me because he knows it’s my brother’s birthday. I guess he’s probably seen my post. God, I miss him.

I’m okay, I type back and ask How are you? Because even though they seemed to have grown apart in recent years, he was Ray’s best friend at one time. Like brothers.

A few seconds later, the bubble pops up that he’s replying, but as the message appears, a purposeful throat clears behind me.

“Cass.”

I recognize Gary’s voice and hide my phone like a kid caught with candy. “What’s up?”

“I was going to talk to you after your shift, but let’s do it now.” I follow him back to the small office. He sets his feet wide and crosses his arms. “I’ve given you a lot of room after what happened with your brother, but you’ve continually broken the rules here?—”

“I don’t?—”

“I’m talking,” he says. His face is the most serious I’ve ever seen it, and I’m taken aback, immediately quieting, a queasy feeling settling in my stomach. He shakes his head at me. “Quite frankly, I don’t think you need or deserve an explanation, but you’ve been late on multiple occasions, you have a bad attitude, and you’re always on your phone, so I’m letting you go.”

“You’re firing me?” I’m stunned. I’ve never been fired before, not that I’ve worked many jobs, but still.

“I can’t believe you’re so shocked. Honestly, do you even care?”

“Yeah, I work here. I need to work here.”

“Well, you don’t act like it,” he says, leaning against a small shelf. “You think you can go through life half-assing it?”

I want to argue, although I can’t come up with anything to fire back at him. This job sucks, but I need the paycheck. “Come on, please. I’m having a really hard time right now.”

He’s unmoved. “I’ve given you countless warnings. I know you’re going through some things, but so are a lot of people.” He vaguely motions over my shoulder. “You don’t need to finish your shift. I’ll get your tables covered, so you can head out now. I’ll send your check home. Leave your apron in the locker.”

I back out of the room, trying to be tough about this, but I can’t. I take my bag and leave my apron before heading out the front door, too embarrassed to even say goodbye to anyone. Gary didn’t lie when he said I half-assed this job. It’s true I need the money, but I despised working at Sassie’s. But with no job, I have nothing really holding my life together. The only bright side is that my parents won’t care. They won’t even notice.

Sitting behind the wheel of my car, I open my text thread with Vince to read his last message. I’m all right. But I’m thinking of you today. All days, but especially today. I hope you’re blasting some Bruce.

I sniffle and drop my hand to the steering wheel. Why does he have to be so perfect?

Especially when I’m not.

After a minute, I text him. Not right now. I got fired.

What?!?!

Your punctuation is totally unnecessary because the rhetorical question intonates your surprise.

What?!?!

I am unemployed.

Are you okay?

No. I type my answer without thinking, but I suppose the time for pretending I’m fine is over now. Can I come over?

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