"You better have a good reason for calling me on my day off." I told my boss on the phone. It was evening and we just finished diner. "Unfinished business? What kind of unfinished business? You can't just spring that shi- sort of thing on me." I censored myself as my daughter was listening in. "And definitely don't spring THAT on me." I told him, however, as always, he managed to convince me. "Fine. I'll come over." I conceded. Sighing, I hung up the horn as I saw Suzy look up at me.
"Dad? Was that work?" She asked. She was so smart for her age... I just sighed.
"Yeah... they couldn't get a hold of Memphis. Again. So they're asking if I can take over his shift. Again." I told her. This seemed to worry her.
"I've heard there's bad men in the neighbourhood." She said. I sighed. The place we lived was one of the more... unsafe parts of the city and burglaries and other crimes were frequent. But if we could've moved, we would've...
"Don't worry Hun, I'll come home as soon as I can." I told her, picking her up and hugging her. "Then I'll stay here to keep the scary men away, 'kay?"
"Kay!" She said, as I placed her down.
"How 'bout you look after your little brother until I get back?"
"Sure, dad!" And with that she was off to do so. I smiled, before sighing and heading for the door.
"How much you wanna bet my boss will force me to work my own night shift right after this again?" I told my wife as I prepared to leave.
"He won't. And even if he does, you think you can get back as soon as possible? You know, there have been burglaries around the street."
"No worries, I will." And with a swift kiss, I was out of the door. This shouldn't take too long. Just saying 'No' to their attempt to rope me into working the late shift.
That didn't work. And about an hour into my own shift, Memphis showed up, looking a tad worse for wear.
"Decided to come around after all?" I told him, making it clear I didn't like him scurrying in after most of the heavy lifting was already done.
"Sorry…. sorry…. This college professor I'm taking a course from is diabolical." He said, taking place behind his desk.
"Yeah, so is our boss when he finds out you've been skipping out." I told him. He just looked at me with his trademark 'Deer in the headlights' expression. Of someone in over his head.
"Listen, I-I'm sorry, okay? I'll make it up to you. Promise. Just… don't tell, okay? Both my education and my work are hanging in the balance and I really need both…." He pleaded with me. I just sighed. I really should just stop giving him breaks. But he was a friend and I knew he tried his damndest.
"Just try to stop doing all things at once." I said, as he smiled at me gratefully.
"I'll make it up to you, I swear." He told me, as he took his place behind the desk. I just headed back to the cars…
