"You cant be serious?" I asked shocked. "What do you mean I am being laid off? I didn't got the pink slip."
"I am sorry, the governor proposed more cuts to education in this state. The bill got passed by the legislature. It is proposing to cut even more from education. And in order to facilitate with the recent budget cuts, we need to lay off more teachers and staff. The twenty five we already laid off before this year, is not enough. So as of next month you are laid off. I am sorry, Leah. But it has to be this way. And the other teachers that are still here are having furlough Fridays. Everyone is suffering in this tough economic crisis, especially here in California."
"But Ms. James there are only three history teachers in this school. And if you lay off me, class sizes are going to be huge."
"I know, Leah." she said. "But unfortunately we need to lay off another fifty teachers. We need to lay off some janitors, some cafeteria workers and cancel some of the clubs here on campus. The board is pressuring me, to do so. And I need to let them know who we are letting go."
"I need this job." I said. "My rent has been raised. My bills are rising. I need this job. If I loose this job, my boyfriend and I might not make it."
"I know, these are hard times. Everyone is going through difficult times. I have two kids to put through college. This school is starting to fall apart. We have nothing for this school. The math department needs money for new books and calculators. The English department need money for their reading program. The science department want funding for research. Look at the dilemma I have. Those are the departments that we need. We are cutting art, music and theater and dance as it is. Look at our lunches. It's as bad as it can get. We simply have no money. I don't know how the governor can expect us to educate kids with these conditions." she said.
She took her glasses off and rub her eyes. "I even agree to take and ten percent paycheck cut. But simply, with the lack of a budget, we need to cut a lot of things. I really regret this. We used to be a different school. I regret loosing you, Leah. You are a wonderful teacher. But unfortunately we have to let you go."
***************************
When I unlock the door to the apartment I closed the door with a loud BAM.
"What is up with you today? Why are you so pissed?" Jake asked looking up from the TV screen.
"I am got laid off." I said bitterly. "Life's unfair."
"What? Why? What happen?" Jake asked shocked. "Why are you laid off?"
"Budget cuts proposed by the stupid governor who cant even speak proper English. The genius thinks cutting money from education is the way to go."
" Oh. When do you get laid off?"
"A month from now. Which means I have to search for a new position."
"Well, sorry you got laid off, but it is a good thing, you can find a better job now. You got an UCLA degree, you should make good use of it. I mean you graduated top of your class not only that a year early too."
"Jake, I love teaching." I said. "And we been over this. I don't want to fight about this."
"Okay, your right I am sorry. But I am just saying baby. I don't get why you like your job so much. There's so much more you can do with your degree than teach those high school brats. That's just my opinion."
"Okay, Jake enough." I said. "I am not in a good mood and I don't want you dissing my job."
"I am sorry." he said. He leaned in to kiss me.
"Yeah, I know." I said. "See this is why you cant miss work anymore. We need your pay check."
"There's something else, that I need to tell you, Leah."
"What?"
"The landlord stopped by today. He raising the rent again."
"What? He just raised it coupled days ago!"
"I know. He is raising it by another two hundred dollars. Here's the letter."
"Shit, shit. Shit. " I muttered. "What the fuck are we going to do?"
(alternative)
"Seth." I said when he answered the phone.
"Leah." he said.
"Seth, I don't want you to marry Kim." I said.
"I know. You said it in a not so nice way when I told you we were engaged. I cant believe that you wont be happy for me."
"Seth, is not that I don't want you to be happy. Because I do. I don't think you would be happy with her. She is not in love with you. She is in love with your money. There's a difference."
"I think you are just jealous. I love Kim and she loves me. We are going to get married. I just wish I had a sister that supports me."
"Seth, think about it. Do you really want to spend the rest of your life with Kim? Do you want to spend the rest of your life with that gold digging bitch! She is going to do nothing but corrupt you!"
"Okay, Leah this is enough. I love Kim, just like you love Sam. We are in love, just like you are with your husband. I was there for you, I just hope you are here for me."
"That's because Sam and I belong together. But you and Kim don't go together. It is like oil and water."
"Fine, don't support me!" Seth said frustrated. "Don't go to my wedding! I don't care. You are so selfish!" he shouted before slamming the phone down.
So what do you think? Review!!!!!!!!!