shake of his head.
“Oh no, you don’t. Will said you were to have complete bed rest for today, so I’m following his instructions. You’ll just have to put up with my cooking skills for a change.” His face flushed. “Although ‘cooking’ might be stretching it a bit. We’re having lasagne, and before you ask, it’s one I found in the freezer.” He grinned.
I couldn’t help smiling. “I’m sure it will be delicious.” I got back under the covers.
Eli snorted. “Not even I can ruin microwaving a lasagne. I’ll be back soon.” He peered intently at me. “Do you need anything?”
I shook my head. Will had told me I’d be tired today, but that a lot of it was mental exhaustion. It had been good to share with him. The prospect of a discussion with Eli made me apprehensive, but I knew it had to come.
The only thing was, I didn’t have a clue where it would lead.
Eli
I DECIDED against using the microwave and switched on the oven instead. That would give me some time before the meal was ready. I shoved the individual lasagnes onto the baking sheet and adjusted the timer, before going into the lounge and closing the door quietly behind me.
I got out my phone and scrolled through my contacts to find Brian’s number.
“Okay, you calling me at the weekend can’t be good,” he began. In the background I could hear the TV. “What’s so important that it couldn’t wait until Monday morning?”
I settled back against the seat cushions. “I need to ask you a big favor.”
The TV’s volume decreased. “Now I am worried. What’s up?”
“I need to take two weeks off. As of now.” I awaited the explosion. My boss didn’t disappoint me.
“You’re kidding, right? Just like that? Oh, c’ mon , Eli. You don’t drop shit on me like that at such short notice.” The whining edge to his voice told me how pissed off he was.
“How long have I worked for you?” I demanded, fully aware of the answer. I knew I was pushing it, but this was important.
“Eight years.”
“And in all those years, how much time have I taken off? Hmm?” Asking for the two weeks was unreasonable, but I’d built up enough credit with Brian to risk it.
“Well….” Brian couldn’t really complain. Unlike some of the haulage company’s employees, I never took sick days, and although I was allowed four weeks off a year, I’d never once taken that many. The way I looked at it, he owed me.
“Yeah, I think you can afford to cut me some slack, right? I’ve seen the rosters for the next month. You’ve got plenty of guys who can take on my jobs, and they’ll be happy for the overtime. I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t really important, Brian.” I fell silent, letting him ruminate on it.
After a moment, I heard his sigh. “Ok ay, fair enough. You do have a point,” he said, his tone grudging.
“Thanks, boss.” I’d hoped he’d see it my way.
“But if anyone at the depot asks, you had a family emergency or something, all right?”
I laughed. “Don’t worry, Brian. I won’t let anyone know you’re actually a good guy.”
“Yeah, well,” he grumbled. “I don’t want my reputation ruined.” He paused. “You okay, Eli? D’you need anything?”
Brian really was a good guy. “Thanks, but all I need is some time at home. I’ve got something that needs sorting out.”
“All right, then. I’ll go adjust the rosters and make some phone calls.” He grumbled under his breath. “Though I still think you’ve got a nerve just calling me up like that, out of the blue.” Brian huffed out a sigh. “You have a good holiday, yeah, or whatever it is you’re up to? And I know I complain, but you’re right, you haven’t taken any time off for a long while. We all need a bit of R & R, don’t we?” He said good-bye and hung up.
A holiday wasn’t exactly what I had in mind. I wanted an oasis of time, some space to get to know Jarod, and I couldn’t do that if I was working the whole time.
If I