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“Gotta talk to my dad. You not working tonight?”
“My mom’s in town. Gonna take the night off.”
I smile and wave him off before opening the door and walking inside. Before approaching my father, I go and drop my bag into my locker, and then head into the small office.
“Hey, kiddo. You’re early,” he says, not getting up from his chair.
“We need to talk.”
My father shakes his head. “You better not be pregnant. I told you girls to be safe. You are not ready to be a mother.”
“Jesus, dad. I’m not freaking pregnant, calm down.”
His hand goes to his stomach. “Good. I’m not ready to be a grandpa yet. What is it then?”
I take a seat in the chair in front of his desk, and cross my legs. “I need to put in my notice. My contracts are going to overextend me for the next six months at least, and I can’t continue to work here. It’s been a pleasure working under you, but it’s time to let me go, daddy.”
I try to play to his emotions, and maybe he won’t get so pissed. It doesn’t work.
“You’ve got to kidding me? I didn’t actually think you were serious? This is a stable income. Who knows if these people are going to need you in a year? Two? What are you going to do then?”
I take a deep breath before responding. “Not that it’s any of your business, but I’ll be making almost twice what I make here, and I plan on keeping a portion of it in savings in case a rainy day happens. My finances shouldn’t be your concern. I need you to submit the paperwork. How long do you need?”
He wipes his mouth, and scoffs. “We are overstaffed on the night shift. So, just give me a date and I’ll submit the official paperwork before I leave.”
Giving me the option to choose my last day isn’t like him, but I’m his daughter. “Well, how about tonight then?”
He shakes his head. “You know that means you won’t be rehirable, honey? Do you really want to burn that bridge? At least give us a week.”
“You just said you were overstaffed, so you don’t need me anyway. So, tonight will be my last night. I’ll leave my equipment in the locker when I leave in the morning.”
I get up from my chair and go into the recreation room, not giving him time to talk me out of this decision. He will try. And sometimes, he is good at talking me out of important things. It’s best to cut the rope.
Me: It’s official. Tonight is my last night. So, I say we celebrate tomorrow.
My phone lays on the table, and I pull out my laptop.
“What’s got chief in a pissy mood? Isn’t it his last night of the week?” Damon asks.
“It’s because of me. Tonight is my last night, partner. You think you can handle things without me?” I ask, punching his shoulder as he sits down next to me.
“What? Everything finally fell into place for you?”
I nod. “I’m set for the next six months at least, and even then, with my regulars, I’ll be fine.”
He gives me a high-five and then I get up to make myself a cup of coffee. It might be my last night as a firefighter, but it’s still going to be a long night.
The transition into sleeping at night is going to be weird. Besides on my days off, it’s light outside when I drift off, and now it will be dark. Hopefully, I can retrain my body. Working a normal office schedule will be nice. It opens up so many things for me. Hell, maybe I can finally go and hang out at that new coffee shop that opened a couple months ago, or even go to the campus.
Once the coffee maker stops, I fill my mug, and get to work. If I can finish this manuscript in the next two days, then I can enjoy a few days before I have to start the next one. Tomorrow is going to be a celebration. A step in the right direction for me. Am I scared shitless? Yes, but if I don’t take that step now, when I have the best chance at succeeding, then I’ll never do it.
18
NOAH
My coffee steams on the table as my eyes span over the manuscript open on my laptop, and haven’t done a damn thing in almost an hour. I tap on the coffee table, and start to pace again. Why can’t I read it? Every time I try to start, it’s like a mental block prevents me.
When I started writing this novel, Janet was still alive, and I spent many nights on this couch with her writing while she watched her favorite show. Maybe I need to go about this a different way. I turn the volume up on my laptop and go to the review tab. There is a read aloud feature. It’s worth a shot. I need to use the momentum of finishing it to get started on edits, and the longer I let it sit, the less likely I am to ever publish. Janet would want me to see this through.
