Page 48 of A Lesson for Laurel

She got a lot of voicemails, which she expected on a Saturday morning. Most weren’t going to want to come in when they saw the number. Everyone knew who was on call for the weekend and she was placing a bet it fell on Denise’s head for her attitude.

At eleven, Denise called her back. Which was hours after the fact for someone who was on call. “What’s going on, Laurel?”

“Courtney got into an accident on her way to work,” she said. “She tried calling you and you didn’t answer. She called me.”

“I’m sure she didn’t get into an accident,” Denise said. “She’s not that reliable, which is why I didn’t want Ariel setting it up with Courtney.”

Laurel couldn’t believe that was the first thing out of Denise’s mouth. “I’m pretty sure she did get into an accident because I could hear the tears in her voice over being sorry and the noise and beeping in the background. Not to mention, she asked if she needed to provide a doctor’s note for not coming in. Don’t you even want to know if she is okay?”

There was a pause and then Denise said, “I’m assuming she is since she called you.”

She rolled her eyes. It wasn’t worth saying anything back. “She’ll be fine and most likely at work on Monday. I’ve called ten people this morning and no one is getting back to me to come in. I’ve given up on those off and am going to call those due in for the second shift to see if anyone can come earlier.”

Another pause. “So I don’t have to come in?” Denise asked.

The first thing out of Denise’s mouth should have been something along the lines of “I’ll be right there” but she knew that wouldn’t happen.

“I’m here,” she said. “I’ve got it covered. I’m sure someone will come in earlier. If not, then don’t worry about it. You can owe me another time.”

She hung up a few minutes after that and was still smirking. She knew it would bother Denise to have to owe anyone. And Denise even thanked her at the end.

Another hour went by and no one was calling back. Some on shift were going to lunch and she turned when she felt a tap on the shoulder.

“Hi, Karen. Everything okay?”

“I texted Eva who is scheduled to replace me at five. She said she could be here by two if you still need someone.”

Laurel frowned. “I called Eva and got no answer. It didn’t even go to voicemail.”

Karen smirked. “Eva doesn’t check her voicemail. It’s probably full. But if she saw the work number come up, she knows Denise is on call, and she’d put off answering or returning the call.”

Which was what Laurel suspected. “I’ve left messages for other people. It’s me and not Denise.”

“This is horrible, but some won’t even check the message. They are off and don’t want to come in.”

“I get it,” she said. “I really do. I should have texted from my personal number or called from that rather than the office line.”

“You would have gotten a better response for sure. If you call Eva now, she’ll answer. I told her it was you who called. She felt bad. Please don’t tell her what I said.”

“I won’t,” she said. “No worries, but I will call Eva now. I appreciate you letting me know.”

She looked up Eva’s number and called back and it was answered on the second ring. “Hi, Laurel. Karen told me that you needed someone to come in early.”

“I do,” she said. “If you can, that’d be great. Any time works.”

“I’m at my parents' right now but will be leaving soon. I can get there by two.”

“Wonderful,” she said. “We can rearrange where people are working if we have to or you can fill in where I am. I’m just checking and filling orders so I had the time and hands to make calls.”

“Whatever you need,” Eva said.

“I appreciate it. See you then.”

She hung up and texted Easton that she’d be home in a few hours and didn’t want to go out. She’d rather have another night in and she’d cook if he wanted to come over.

She got back to work and twenty minutes later, her phone went off. She pulled it out to see his response that he’d be over, but he was the one cooking. That it was only fair.

She’d never had fair in a relationship in her life—maybe it was time to get it.

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