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“What can I do to help?” I offered.
She sat straight up and said, “Ibby. I want to be involved in what happens.”
“If it means that much to you, then yes, I’ll accept your help.” I didn’t need it, but she needed to be involved.
“It does. I can’t imagine what his family is going to go through without their father working to take care of them.”
Was it Ibby’s family she was worried about, or herself? Maybe she was only working for me because she needed the money and couldn’t bring herself to quit. I sure in hell wasn’t going to fire her. She also wasn’t ready to talk about what she wanted.I can’t help her if I don’t know the answer. For now, I needed to be more aware of what she needed, what she was trying to tell me, instead of guessing for her.
“There is only so much we can do without knowing the severity of his injuries,” I said.
“Sounded bad. A finger severed off is permanent. He won’t be able to work the machine any longer,” she stated.
“No. He won’t.”
“So that means he can’t work. He can’t provide for his family.”
That was how things had been handled here in Tabiq. If you couldn’t perform your duties fully, then you were fired, and no one would hire you. “Ovi, I know you don’t know much about me and feel as though I have been away from Tabiq too long, but that time has given me a new perspective on things.”
“Like what?” she asked.
“Other countries have programs to assist those with a handicap or disability. You can still work,” I said.
“Without his fingers? How?” she questioned. “He can’t do his job.”
“No. But he has a lot of experience and knowledge. It might take some time, but there must be something he can still do at the factory. That is if he still wants to work once he has fully recovered.” It was possible that he didn’t want to return to work.
“I guess we will only know that after he’s had time to heal. In the meantime, what is his family going to do about money?” she asked.
“I will be going to see him tomorrow. His wage will not be affected for a couple of weeks. That will give us time to know what options are available for him,” I explained.
Ovi smiled. “You really have been giving this a lot of thought.”
“I told you I would.” Her eyes avoided mine and I added, “But you didn’t believe me, did you?”
Looking back at me she said softly, “I wanted to. It’s just not easy. Please try to understand.”
“I do. More than you know,” I replied. That didn’t mean that I was regretting my decision regarding Trye. I felt bad about how it affected Ovi though. We needed to change the subject again before we went down the same path that stressed her. “Since we have a basic game plan regarding Ibby, what do you say about getting those reports I need?”
Ovi nodded. “I can do that. I’m not sure if Almi has returned to the factory yet and updated the system.”
“That’s okay. We can run them again tomorrow and compare. There are a few customers who will be getting their orders a week late and I need to call them and let them know.”
“Good. I think taking a proactive approach is going to help a lot. At least until we get things back on track,” she said.
We? Does this mean you’re considering staying?
I hoped it did. She couldn’t do what Trye did, but then again, he couldn’t do what she could. They each brought something unique. And I had a feeling that no matter how I tried, Ovi was going to leave too.
Ovi yawned and I suggested, “Why don’t you go and lay down for a little while?”
“I thought the hospital said I had to stay awake for twenty-four hours.”
“They said you couldn’t be alone. And that I needed to monitor you for any signs of a concussion. I’ve been doing that.”
“What are the signs? I mean, I think I should know them as well,” she said.
“Headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, loss of balance or sight.”
