Page 30 of Holding Grace

Me: That stinks, I’m sorry.

Michael: It does. Especially after the day started out so good this morning.

Because he’d seen me? Or just because everything had gone smoothly with the bed delivery?

Me: Anything I can do to help?

The dots popped up, then danced like he was debating how to respond.

Michael: No. Thanks, though. I don’t want to drag you down with me.

Me: No dragging involved. If it would help to vent, I’m here for it.

No response.

I waited a minute, then texted again.

Me: Or if you want to skip it until tomorrow like you said, that’s okay, too. I just don’t want you to think that you always need to be in a great mood around me. Or act like you are.

A few seconds later, Michael’s number lit up my phone.

“Hi,” I said softly as I connected, grateful he’d decided to call after all.

“Hey,” he responded on an exhale. In the background, I heard the sharp crack of a beverage can being opened.

“Are you at home?”

“Yeah, I got home about twenty minutes ago.”

I looked over at the little clock on the microwave with surprise. It was after 9pm. Had Michael been at the pub the entire day?

I snapped my attention back the conversation as Michael went on.

“I took a quick shower and was going to call you, but then thought maybe it would be better if I didn’t.”

I felt bad that I’d pushed him on it.

“If you really don’t feel like talking, it’s fine. We can talk tomorrow, or whenever. I just don’t want you to think you always have to be all sunshine and roses with me.”

“’Sunshine and roses’, huh? Is that what I am?” Michael’s words were laced with humor.

“You know what I mean,” I responded.

“I know. And I appreciate it.”

When he didn’t say anything more, I nudged a little. “Do you want to tell me what happened today?”

Michael exhaled roughly. “I had to fire one of the cooks today. He didn’t take it well – at all – and we had to get the police involved to remove him. He still refused to leave after they showed up. He started spouting threats against me, Jamey, the other kitchen staff – you name it. Then he resisted when the police went to arrest him, and things went from bad to worse. It was a shit show.”

“It sounds pretty awful.”

“It’s my fault. I should’ve fired him weeks ago, but I kept thinking maybe he’d pull it together. He’s flaky but he has some talent. When he started harassing one of other cooks every time he worked with him, though, he was done.”

“It’s not your fault, Michael. There’s nothing wrong with giving someone a chance, or several chances. You took care of things when you needed to.”

“I guess. If I’d realized how he’d react I would have handled it differently.”

“How could you know, though? Most people would just leave, or maybe cry or get mad first, then leave. You couldn’t predict he’d react so badly.”

---