Page 19

“ Mass resignation of management across Kala. After the April Resident Meeting where local bar supervisor Laiken Hazelwood refused nomination for bar department manager because of Taylor Briggs’s supervision style, Kala has seen a mass exodus of employees from their upper management positions as person after person comes forward to express their frustration and reaching the end of their patience with Taylor.

‘ This has been a long time coming ,’ Janet Miller, former manager of guest relations on Anapos, states.

‘ If Taylor wants every single department to run a certain way right down to how we tie our shoes, then he can run them all ,’ Jeffrey Silinger, former excursions manager on Etsumi, adds.

Employees fear that the absence of these positions will cause a breakdown in their industries and how efficiently their departments will run if they’re not filled quickly.

However, no one is willing to replace those who stepped down.

‘ It’s a combination of loyalty, solidarity, and not wanting to work for Taylor ,’ Cillian Dorman, a dockman, tells us. ”

“Wow,” I say. “I haven’t felt the absence of a management position at the bar.”

“Probably because Laiken runs the bar as if he is the manager already, but without the title, pay, and Taylor-adjacent position. I’m betting other bars feel it, though.”

“That’s incredible. I wonder why Dad hasn’t stepped down.”

“He has, Lie.” Cash laughed.

Well, fuck. “Then where does he go all day?”

“It sounds like a lot of the former managers are still working, but they’re turning away anything that has to do with their positions. All questions, all decisions, all supervision. They’re just worker bees.”

“Oh, man.” I glance up as the slider door opens and Dad steps outside, smiling at me. “Speaking of Dad, he’s home. Come over tonight. But right now, I have some grilling to do.”

Cash laughs again. “Sounds good. Be there in a couple hours.”

I sit up as I hang the phone up, making room for Dad on the lounge. “Uh oh,” Dad says. “What’s with the accusatory look?”

“Why didn’t you tell me you resigned?”

“Ah. I thought you knew. It feels like the bulletins all over the island have a running list updating the latest resignations.”

“I’ve been browsing the job openings,” I tell him. “Very few management ones are open. If everyone is stepping down, why aren’t they listed?”

“Calloways are trying to clear it up. They don’t want to lose all the managers.”

“It sounds like no one wants to step into those positions either.”

He grins. “Taylor has made a reputation for himself. Everyone under senior management feels protected from him. We’re the wall that separates dealing with Taylor and working peacefully.

Laiken didn’t mean to make this happen, but the situation with Taylor has been reaching a boiling point.

I think everyone’s been waiting for someone to suggest a solution and then everyone would hop on board. Laiken unknowingly did that.”

“That’s wild. Cash says people are worried. He read me the article in the newsletter.”

“They are,” Dad agrees, shrugging. “There’s really only one answer that we’re looking for.”

“Taylor’s control to be refined?”

“No. For Taylor to be replaced entirely. I’ve spoken to Mr. Calloway in great depth about what working with Taylor means.

It sounds to me like he’s only recently been made aware of the nuances and misery of his employees since Laiken’s stand, leading to the boycott of the management positions.

The fact that no amount of money offered is fixing the issue speaks to how out of control this situation has gotten.

No one is willing to work with Taylor anymore. ”

“Wow. I thought the way he ran meetings was just… you know, his time for attention, so he was going to be a pain in the ass.”

Dad laughs. “Nah. That’s him on display. Multiply that by a hundred and that’s what it’s like to work for him.”

I scrunch my face. “Ew.”

He nods. “Glad that you’re not a manager, are you?”

“Dad, I’m not even glad to be the lowest of the low worker bee,” I say, dropping myself dramatically sideways onto the lounge.

Dad laughs, patting my hip. “Not happy at the bar?”

“It’s the least offensive job I’ve ever had,” I say.

“I’ll even go so far as to say it’s kind of fun at times.

I like working with Laiken. He’s a good teacher and mentor and whatever.

Having him there allows me to feel comfortable, like I’m at home, and no one is staring at me with exhausting expectations.

But, Dad, I don’t want to be a bartender forever.

I just don’t know what I want to do. Nothing feels… big enough.”

“You’ll find something. It’s not a bad idea to pop into different places and see what it’s like working there. Your mom did that when we first moved here.”

I sit up and look at him. “Really?”

He nods. “Yep. She started as a receptionist at the medical office, but was unhappy, so in her downtime, she’d visit different departments all over Kala. Ask questions. Observe. She found what she enjoys working at the school and has been happy there since.”

“Huh. I guess I could do that.”

“Lie, we don’t care what it is you want to do with your life. Or how long it takes you to get there. We want you to be happy.”

I bow my head, smiling. “Thanks.”

We both turn when we hear Laiken’s kitchen door slide open. Dad turns to me with a glint in his eyes. “Want to know a secret?”

I grin. “What?”

He leans in. “I think Laiken has a secret lover.”

My stomach flips. The expression on my face freezes. “Why do you think that?”

Dad smirks. “I’ve known Laiken almost my entire life. I know when he’s keeping a secret. I can’t wait to meet them.”

Oh, fuck my fucking secret motherfucking life right now!