With a flutter of my eyelids, the world comes back to life. Everything perfectly where I left it the night before. Even the cats are in the same position they were in when I went to bed. What a great morning. I finally feel rested, happy, and it is nice and sunny. Wait, it is sunny out! I reach for my phone knocking over the glass of water. Push the home button like 30 times and nothing. The stupid charging cord isn't in it. I search for the cable and hurry to plug in my phone. Come on. Hurry up and turn back on! Finally the screen lights up and my fear is realized, it is 9:13. I run to the closet, grab the first thing my hand touches and rush to get ready. I was only supposed to be at work a little over an hour ago.
Run down the stairs, got my keys, my phone is on my shit list but got that jerk too, lock the door, and get to my truck. It comes to life with a single turn, at least this is going my way. I drive like a bat out of hell to get to the office. The whole time I'm wondering if I can play it off like I was there the whole time. If I'm going to get wrote up. Did anyone bother to see if I was there? Please don't let anyone know I wasn't there. I park, speed walk to the building, and hurry to sit at my desk. Nothing seems to be out of place. No one is really looking. I might have had the luckiest break in history of my job here. Minus getting hired that is.
The day continues to go by like nothing happened. The clear and happy feeling begin to play with my mind. Not sure if it is good or bad that no one noticed. Oh well at least I get to keep my job for a little while longer. I go to lunch, nothing. It is almost the end of the day. Still nothing. What a great day. I will just tell them I forgot to clock in if anyone asks. Midway through my thought and I get the email I didn't want to see. HR wants me to come to her office first thing tomorrow. Fuck! I am so screwed. I wonder if I can play it off or if I am going to have to beg for my job. I am not above begging. I clock out, get in my truck, and start on my way home. The whole drive home thinking of what I am going to say. Do I lie and risk it, or tell the truth and kiss so much ass I need a breath mint? All night I toss and turn. What am I going to do? This sucks.
I wake up to my alarm blaring and I want to give it the finger. You are the reason I'm in this spot to being with you jerk. I get out of bed and go to the bathroom. I get out the razor, shave my neck and head, and hop in the shower. If I'm going to get my butt chewed, it might as well be clean. Maybe worse comes to worse I can shamelessly flirt with the HR lady. What woman doesn't like a little flattery and flirting? I put on my nice khaki pants, brown belt, brown shoes, my nicest watch, and a soft silky style black button up shirt. I want to look my best. Maybe she will take it easy on me. Who knows? I haven't really talked to her before, but again, who doesn't like a little work flirt.
I get to the office and grudgingly walk in. I'm in no real hurry to get fired today. I put my things down at my desk and slowly make my way to the Human Resource ladies office. I pass the windows and see her working at her desk. I stop by the door, gather my thoughts, take a deep breath and knock on the already open door. She looks up from her computer and invites me into her office. Her office is kind of plain. A blue couch that looks like it is from the 70's, a very large wooden desk, and 2 very uncomfortable looking chairs are the only furniture in it. She looks nice today though. Brown hair, white sweater, black shirt or dress, I can't really tell since she is sitting down, and her trademark glasses.
She instructs me to shut the door and take a seat. My heart is racing. This is going to hurt. "Derek, I know you have only been here a month or two, but it was brought to our attention that yesterday you were two hours late. Since you are still in probation, and this isn't your first offense, we are going to have to ask you to clean out your desk and leave. I am really sorry to see you go since I was the one to bring you on." only a few moments pass but the silence is deafening. "Do you have any questions about what I just said?" My head starts to spin. I stand up, walk over to her, "Please don't do this. I like it here and would really prefer to stay. Isn't there anything I can do?"
"I'm sorry but no."