Page 1 of Daddies on Ice

1

TISH

“I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to let you go.”

I stare at Jonathan, my boss for the past couple of years. My jaw drops open and I shake my head, as if trying to get rid of a bad dream.

He nods sadly. “I know it’s not the best timing with Christmas coming up, but there’s nothing I can do. I just can’t afford to keep you on the payroll. Maybe in a couple of months…”

He lets the sentence trail off, and I know he’s just saying that to give me a little hope.

But it’s false hope and not something I want to hear right now.

“Instead of laying me off, can we just cut my hours?” I ask, desperately hoping to keep some kind of money coming in.

He shakes his head again. “I ran the numbers and tried cutting your hours, but it just doesn’t work. We have too much competition now, especially since Gordy Brothers opened up six months ago.”

Gordy Brothers.

My thoughts start swirling. Maybe they will have a job opening for me.

A twinge of guilt pulls at my insides. Wouldn’t that be disloyal to go to my boss’s competition?

I’m an accountant for Jonathan’s small food distribution company, so I don’t have to stay in the same business.

But I need something.

What will my five-year-old daughter, Becky, think when there are no Christmas presents under the tree this year?

My gut twists and I frown. She’s been through so much already, I can’t stand the idea of ruining Christmas for her.

“I truly am sorry, Tish,” Jonathan says. There’s honest regret in his voice, but that doesn’t help my situation. If only I had a heads-up.

I did, though.

As the accountant, I knew the financial situation was bad.

I should have been looking for other work, but I like it here.

Jonathan is a good boss, the pay is enough to support me and Becky, and the work is not too demanding.

Plus, he always found a way to put money into the accounts, so I kept the blinders over my eyes and figured it would all work out.

Bad on me.

“I understand,” I say with a small smile. “It’s been great working for you.”

“I wish you all the best, Tish. And if you need any references, I’ll be happy to give you a glowing one. You’ve been an excellent employee.” He hands me an envelope with what I assume is my last paycheck. I tuck it in my purse, unopened.

After that, it’s a little more friendly chitchat, then I gather my things and leave.

I didn’t have much in the office, just a pink stapler with rolling eyeballs on it, pictures of Becky, a fern that needs more care than I’ve given it, and a few other odds and ends.

I don’t even need a box to carry my things out. How depressing is that?

I guess it’s a good thing I was let go first thing this morning. This gives me time to myself before Becky gets home from her after school babysitter. Time to try and figure out what to do now.

My two-bedroom apartment is small, but it works well for me and Becky. I’m not a neat freak; you can’t go around with a white glove and expect it to come back still white.