=Normal POV=
(Friday, 1/10/2020; 10:45 pm)
(Barbarchi City, Archipelago)
(Trayden's Job)
Unfortunately, much to Trayden's dismay, the break was not enough to make the things he felt go away or even lessen. Trayden couldn't shake the fatigue, headache, lightheadedness, stomachache, and now, Trayden was experiencing nausea too. Trayden just wanted to go home, there was no way he could stay and finish working tonight. Trayden knew his friends were probably wondering where he went since they were all at the bar when Andrew had pulled Trayden into the back room. Trayden felt his phone had gone off several times, but he never pulled it out to see who messaged him because he was just miserable. Trayden needed to get up and find Andrew to ask if he could go home, so he adjusted slow to sit forward and pull himself up on his feet. No sooner than Trayden did this, though, the nausea hit hard and Trayden instantly booked it to the bathroom. Barely having time to close the door, Trayden hit his knees and threw up in the toilet. It happened a second time not long after the first, Trayden coughed and sat back against the wall to catch his breath.
Trayden heard a voice coming into the employee space, it was one of the girls. "Tray?" She asked.
"In the bathroom!" Trayden replied.
"Oh, sorry! Andy sent me to check in…How do you feel?" The woman inquired. Trayden was about to answer when he felt the vomit rise up, he quickly shifted to being back on his knees and puking again. "Di-Did you just throw up?" She questioned softly with slight concern.
After coughing and spitting out remnants, Trayden wiped his mouth and flushed the toilet before the smell did him in. Trayden managed to get to his feet to splash his face and wash his hands. Throwing up three times seemed to remove the nausea, but Trayden still felt everything else. Drying his hands, Trayden exited the bathroom to find his female coworker there. "That was actually the third time I've thrown up in the last ten minutes, and I feel worse," Trayden informed. "Just…Go tell Andrew I'm sick and need to go home," The female nodded and hurried off to locate Andrew. Trayden sat down on the couch and pulled out his phone to check messages quick. There were three, and all from Hunter, so Trayden assumed that since the group was sitting together, it was likely decided that only person sends a message.
Hunter's Cell, 10:05 pm
Are you okay? We saw you walk out of sight with your boss, did you get yelled at for what you said to your coworkers and him?
Hunter's Cell, 10:15 pm
Your boss came out, but not you. Everything alright?
Hunter's Cell, 10:30 pm
Alyssa asked where you were, bartender said the boss made you take a break. You definitely deserve one! I'll stop bugging you now so you can relax on your break.
Trayden checked the time, it was 10:45 now. Had he really lost track of the time just sitting back there? Trayden sighed and set the phone back in his pocket then Trayden looked up when Andrew came into the room. "How sick are you?" Andrew asked.
"I don't feel any better from earlier, I actually feel worse and threw up a few times. I don't if it's sickness or just lack of sleep and overworked…" Trayden confessed to him. "I'm not running a fever, I don't think, at least. But I still have the headache, exhaustion, and some nausea. I really just want to sleep and I probably would have knocked out here if I hadn't thrown up,"
Andrew sighed. "Alright, head on home," Then he left the room. For some reason that Trayden couldn't put his finger on right now, he expected his boss might be a little more understanding and less miserable about having to send him home. After all, Trayden didn't know if he was actually sick, or just felt sick because of all the work. This was only making Trayden's decision easier to find another job, it didn't seem like his boss cared and could very well be the reason Trayden felt this way. Sighing, Trayden made sure he had all this things, and then exited the room.
It was loud and still fairly busy beyond the quiet break room, Trayden saw his friends sitting at the bar still, and they noticed him right away, greeting with smiles. Trayden tiredly punched out and then made his way towards the group. "Is your shift over?" Shane questioned when Trayden reached them.
"It was supposed to be over at 9…" Trayden reminded.
"I think he meant did your boss decide you've been here long enough and let you leave?" Devon stated.
"I really didn't give him much choice," Trayden mumbled. "I'm heading home," He added with a yawn.
"You don't want to hang?" Tyler asked.
"I'd love to if I weren't dead-ass tired. You guys have fun, and I'll just hang when I can. I'm supposed to work tomorrow and Sunday, I don't know about next week yet," Trayden informed. "I'll catch ya later," He managed a smile and prepared to leave.
"Tray!" Andrew called as Trayden stopped and looked at him. "Register slip signature," He reminded. Trayden almost rolled his eyes, but took the slip and pen, then signed in his place. "And don't forget your tips," Andrew handed Trayden a white envelope. "That's all of it, even what you got from card payments," He added.
"Thanks," Trayden replied.
"You're welcome. Now, get home and rest. Let me know tomorrow how you feel?" Andrew said. "I'm going to hope and pray you just need a good night's sleep because I don't want to be down one of my best employees on a Saturday…"
"Can you not be a kiss-ass?" Trayden remarked. "I don't need you to remind me I'm one of your best workers because it's really hard to forget that the instant you're down crew, I'm asked to come in early, or stay later, usually until close. For the record, I probably wouldn't feel this way if you didn't have me working as much as you have. I've gone nine days without a day off, Andy. Opens, closes, sometimes both. And don't get me started on the times we don't get out of here until after 2 or 3 am and then you call me bright and early at 6 or 7 am because you need me at 8 am," He folded his arms. "I already explained to you that this overworking shit has been going on for six months, and you still don't fix it,"
Andrew sighed. "I'm doing the best I can with what I have, Tray,"
"That's my point. You're doing the best with what you have. In the last six months, I've seen plenty of people get fired or quit. I've seen you rehire one person. But I haven't seen you hire anyone new. We don't need you to work with what you have, we need you to bring more people in. I'm not the only employee who is annoyed with it, I'm just the only one who has said something to you. Your three best workers are all ready to walk because this isn't worth it anymore. Sure, the money is great, but I'm not working myself to death for it. It's…Friday, and after just clocking out…I'm at fifty-six hours," Trayden informed his boss. "And I technically still have two days left this week, and I can't even rely on those hours staying what they are as posted. You'd still have me clocked in and working through until close if I hadn't said something earlier," He added.
"I'm sure I would have noticed how tired you are if you hadn't said something. It's hard to miss," Andrew stated.
"If it's hard to miss than why haven't you noticed any of the other times in the last six months?" Trayden questioned as Andrew blinked. "Because this is definitely not the first time what happened tonight has happened. This is just the first time I've said something, which only shows me you're not paying attention to the well-being of your employees and that's not okay with me. I told you before, Andy…I used to love this job, and now, I can't stand it. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't considering to find another job since the middle of December. I'd be lying to you if I said I don't have a list of places I can apply to at home on my living room table."
Andrew's eyes changed to concern. "Tray…Please? I'm working on getting more people in here, but I don't want people who can't handle the job and don't have any experience," Andrew stated. "I've got interviews lined up all next week…I promise that I'll fix this,"
"Andrew, I don't think you understand how way past I am with you saying that. I really just want to walk out that door and quit, I'd be lying if I told you that I haven't thought of doing it since December when you had me work two and a half straight weeks without a day off," Trayden informed firmly. "I'm sick and tired of nothing changing. Of never being able to make plans with friends and family because I'm basically on call to my job. I'm tired of having to turn down invites to hang out because I'm stuck here. And for the fuck of it…My job is now actually making me sick and tired and you wouldn't have even known if I didn't tell you. You're not monitoring your workers, you're overworking them to the point that lack of sleep and time to recover is making them ill," He pointed out.
"Just give me a little more time, Trayden…Please?" Andrew pleaded. "I'll set everything right, and I will make it up to you and the others for everything. I'll give you all two months' worth of paid vacation time, and you can split up the eight weeks at your leisure over the next year…" Trayden arched a brow at Andrew now. "I'll even promote you to manager, fixed hours, and pay raise…" Andrew paused. "Please? Please don't quit…"
"Three weeks, Andrew," Trayden told him sternly. "I can't speak for the rest, but I am only giving you until January 31st to hire and train more employees. Understand this clarification, these three weeks are NOT for you to keep things as they are now. You have until the end of January to change things back to fair. So starting next week, unless you ask me ahead of time, I will not work anything other than my scheduled shifts. I won't do doubles. I won't do close one night and open the next morning. And for the love of Thor…I refuse to work consecutive days. I want, at least, two days off. I'll only accept one day off if it's a dire emergency that you need me, and you best not call or text me to come in until you have tried everyone else first. And I want the closers working together. It's not you clean the area you worked in, its if you finish your station, go see if you can help someone else instead of sit around and wait for everyone to be done," Trayden stared. "You want me to stay working here, those are my conditions. If any of them aren't met or it goes back to how it's been these past six months, I'll walk out," He warned. "Are we clear?"
"Crystal," Andrew nodded.
"Good…" Trayden dropped his arms. "Now, have a good rest of your evening. I'm gonna go home and attempt to sleep," He added looking to his friends, giving a raised hand wave, and then exiting the building. Trayden yawned and made his way to his car, he got in, buckled up, then started the car. Trayden took a deep breath in hoping he could make the ride him with the nausea beginning to rise again, and headed for home.
. . .
(11:45 pm)
(Trayden's Apartment)
Getting to his apartment, Trayden parked and locked his car, then got up to his place. Trayden tossed his keys and wallet carelessly on the counter before ensuring the door was locked and taking off his shoes. Trayden set his phone in his bedroom on the nightstand to charge, and then he went to shower. Trayden took his time in the shower, most of it was standing under the hot water pleading for the soreness of his body to ease. Trayden was still dealing with a headache and fatigue, the nausea was present but not overthrowing him. Trayden spent ten minutes actually washing his body and hair, then shut off the water and stepped out to dry himself. Trayden grabbed his set of pajamas that he brought in from the bedroom, and dressed. Trayden then went into the kitchen to grab something light to eat, and a water bottle. Finally, Trayden double checked everything was set for the evening and entered his bedroom.
Trayden instantly laid down and got comfortable, he felt a little better after being in the quiet, taking a hot shower, and eating something. Trayden reached over to check his phone and wasn't surprised to see messages from all his friends, say for a few. After all, they did see him go off on his boss just over an hour ago now, so it was expected they would want to know what happened. Trayden didn't want to send individual messages to all of them, so he stopped on the messages with Hunter, who was the most recent sender, and read it over.
Hunter's Cell, 11:30 pm
Hey. I'm sure everyone else has messaged you too, but I told you how I am with friends. I check on all of them. I know you're tired and probably asleep already, so I'm just gonna leave it at hoping you're okay and letting you know I'm here if you need anything. Sleep well.
Trayden smiled softly. Hunter didn't even ask what happened earlier, he just wanted to know if Trayden was okay and that he was there for him. Trayden was tired, but wouldn't fall asleep just yet, it always took a bit for him to settle completely. Trayden started a new message and added in all his friends, except Hunter, because Trayden was going to message him separately. Trayden typed out an easy explanation that all the work he'd been doing was taking it's toll on his body, causing him to feel sick and he was annoyed that his boss hadn't even noticed how bad things were with the excessive work until Trayden got mad and went off on him. Trayden added in at the end he was going to sleep and please don't blow up his phone with responses, he only sent the group message to explain once.
Now, Trayden went back to the messages with Hunter, and tapped the reply box, then started typing.
Not sure how you'll take it, but out of all the messages I got from the others, you're the only one who asked if I was okay instead of what happened.
Hunter's Cell, 11:55 pm
Oh! You are still awake. I thought for sure you'd crash when you got home. Also, I'll take what you said as a compliment and perhaps a win that I'm the only one who checked on you, rather than the situation that happened.
And of course I asked if you were alright. You're my friend, and I was sitting right there when you told your boss how it was. I figured it out on my own what happened.
I'm thrilled you're so perceptive that seeing a situation is all you need to figure out and understand it. The others were told in a group message that I asked nicely they don't bombard me with replies.
Hunter's Cell, 11:56 pm
So, are you okay?
Hard call to make right now, it's only been an hour since I left. When I got home, I showered first and then grabbed something light to eat before coming into my room and seeing everyone's messages. At work, I'd felt the exhaustion, being sore, and lightheaded. That's when Andy had pulled me in the back and I reamed him about how unfair the work had been.
Hunter's Cell, 11:59 pm
And that's when he told you to take a break?
Yeah, not that it helped any. The headache was still bad, my stomach was bothering me, and when the nausea kicked in I knew it was time to go home. One of the girls came in the back to check in on Andy's orders, and I sent her right back to him to say I was sick and needed to leave.
Saturday, January 11
Hunter's Cell, 12:01 am
Sick from overworking, huh? Lack of sleep, no days off, long and busy shifts. All that can take it's toll on your body, physically and mentally. When did you realize you were feeling ill from everything?
After I threw up three times in the break room. All I did was sit up and it hit. At first I thought I was actually getting sick, but I wasn't running a fever and I didn't have any other symptoms. I recognized the overworked feeling from times in the past six months where I felt rundown.
Hunter's Cell, 12:03 am
Yeah, sounds like your body is reacting to the physical stress. I'm sorry, handsome, but good for you in putting your foot down with your boss. Firm and fair. How do you feel now that you're home after having a shower and something to eat?
I've put my foot down with him several times in the last six months in the form of warnings, this time, I'm demanding change or I'm walking away. Like I said…I don't mind helping him out in a tight spot, but to let it just continue this long is unacceptable. He's had so many chances to hire more people instead of work around what he has, and in that he's working us too much. All I really asked for was that my schedule goes back to before June, nothing more or less. Only I didn't ask, I'm telling him that's how it's going to be or I won't work for him anymore.
And I feel a little better. Shower helped with the headache a bit, and soreness. Eating assisted the stomachache, but still have the nausea. The fatigue is hitting the hardest now.
Hunter's Cell, 12:05 am
You were more than patient these past six months, putting up with it all. And you handled it maturely while being fair. I just hope he does what he says he will, for your sake and your health. I'm glad you're feeling a bit better. You should go on and get some sleep, let your body rest and recover. We can talk tomorrow, I just wanted to make sure you were alright before I went to sleep.
Okay, I'll message you when I wake up. And thanks for checking up on me :) Night, Hunter!
Hunter's Cell, 12:07 am
I'll be waiting, and you're welcome. Rest well, handsome. Pleasant dreams!
Trayden smiled and set the phone down and relaxed fully. It didn't take more than ten minutes for sleep to take him away.