Page 112 of Pick-Up
“Oh,” says Ethan, waving away my concerns. “Don’t even worry. You’ll just stay another day. We can change your flight to ours.” He smiles. Is even delighted. “Extra time. On the island, I mean.” He clears his throat. “For work.”
Smooth.
They are all nodding—Yes! More time!—and I know they mean well. They have no idea that a tornado is swirling inside my brain. But I am suddenly struck by a loneliness and alienation so intense that it threatens to bury me. None of them understand.
I am a single parent. I don’t function as they do.
“The thing is, I can’t,” I say, careful not to let my voice wobble.I am worried I’m about to cry and there is no way on God’s green earth that I am letting that happen.
“Why not?” asks Charlie.
He means it in the most good-natured, innocent way, but I have to work to keep the frustration out of my voice.
“Because Sunday is Halloween,” I say. This explanation has no impact on my listeners. They are all waiting for more. “I need to get back to my kids.” I direct this to Ethan, knowing that he’s the only parent, the one most likely to get it.
“Oh,” he says, brow crinkled. “Well, they’re with Celeste, right? Is she able to take them trick-or-treating?”
Maybe it’s irrational. Maybe it’s unfair. But the disappointment that floods my body at his words penetrates to my soul. And, once there, it begins to crystalize into anger.So typical. They’re all the same. The injustice!
“I promised them I’d be there,” I say, with forced calm.
“I’m sure they’ll understand.” He shrugs. “It’s Halloween. Kids are psyched as long as they’re plied with candy. We do need you here.”
“I like those mini 100 Grand bars,” Charlie is saying. “I steal those from my nephew.”
The others begin debating the merits of Almond Joy versus Snickers and questioning the point of Now and Laters, in general, as the storm inside me continues to wail. I need to resolve this thing, but I don’t want to come across too intense.
Only Derek sees me. Like really sees me. With those assessing eyes.
“Sasha, have you checked into alternate flight options that would still get you home in time?” he asks, cutting across the chatter.
“I know from when I originally booked flights that there isn’t one.”
“Okay. So, what can we do?”
“I’m not sure,” I say. “I don’t want to leave you guys in the lurch. I was thinking about contingencies I’ve used for inclement weatherbefore and they might work if we try to move ahead in the morning, but I can’t guarantee it will have the aesthetic effect Charlie wants.”
Derek is nodding. And now Stephanie is on board too. “Girl, don’t worry,” she says, laying a manicured hand on my forearm. “We got this. We really need you more for the video content anyway. You’ve already organized every last element for the photo shoot. Your attention to detail is so good, it’s frankly a little concerning. We’ve done a bunch of shoots here now. We’re pros. Maybe you and Peter can just get up early and try to capture the video footage before the storm hits?”
“Do what, now?” says Peter, from down the table. He has stopped pretending to participate and is reading a book.
Stephanie explains and he nods.
“Oh, sure. I’m down. Whatever. I can also handle it myself probably if you have to go.”
“Thank you guys so much,” I say, exhaling. I am beyond relieved by how relaxed they’re being. Like my absence is not a big deal. “I would never want to be unprofessional or let anyone down. I hate the idea of not finishing a job.”
“Then finish,” says Ethan, shrugging like it’s a no-brainer, his tone bordering on harsh. “Stay here. Finish. Your kids will be fine.Relax.”
I don’t know if he realizes his voice is dripping with condescension, but I am fully drenched. How dare he blow up my spot! Especially when everyone else is respecting my needs.
This is the man I squandered my dream job for?
“How doyouknow they’ll be fine?” I bite back, before I think to stop myself.
“Because I have a kid too. And I know.”
“Oh yeah? Who’s watching your kid right now?”
