Page 105 of Call Me Sir

Ace is continuing his efforts to help his father and his father is helping him. There’s clearly some resentment, but he says it’s worth it because he’s doing good.

Sal mentions that after his dad cut him off, he bounced around trying to find a career that he enjoyed and ended up at our company, and has enjoyed it.

“So, are you a chef on the side?” Oliver asks me.

I laugh, a pained laugh. Suddenly I’m aware and annoyed that my wine glass is empty.

“No… I tried to work in a restaurant a few times.”

I sense Sal leaning in closer.

“What stopped you?” Oliver prodded gently.

Why am I telling these strangers my biggest regrets?

Yet, my soul is begging to be purged. Maybe there’s something trustworthy about them I can’t pin.

“It was too demanding.” Are there fucking tears welling in my eyes? “I couldn’t handle being yelled at. Having a boss is fine. But I couldn’t handle the pressure.”

I wipe at the tears stinging my eyes, the shame burning, threatening to consume my whole body.

“You know, some restaurants are cut throat,” Ace says.

I swear I almost snap at him.

Thank God I bite my tongue because he continues, “But there are many different opportunities for chefs out there. Especially here in our city.”

I nod. What else do I say?

“Alright, Oliver.” Sal speaks up and all eyes land on him. I’m grateful. “Would you like to speak at the gala? We think it would be the perfect opportunity to mention your cause regarding raising awareness to high control religions. Plus it would be extremely inspiring.”

Oliver smiles thoughtfully and bites his bottom lip. “No.”

No?!

Ace appears equally as thrown as the rest of us. I’m ready to collapse on the floor and call it a night.

“But only because I want to have someone else speak…”

“Who?” I croak.

I snap my mouth shut as my face goes beat red.

He sits back into the chair and plays with the collar of his white collared shirt. Suddenly I’m captivated by the shirt with little pink flamingos on it.

“In the religion, men run the show. So many women are put down and rarely get the spotlight. There are plenty of women who had to choose their identity and lose their friends and family, just as I did.”

Wow. My disappointment is replaced with awe.

“I was wondering if my sister could as well?” Ace blurts, looking to Oliver for permission.

Oliver looks to me.

I nod, eagerly.

“My sister is amazing and she took the brunt of our fathers anger since she came out first.”

This catches Sal’s attention. He’s watching Ace intently.

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