by Moore,Mia
He pointed to the prick Carl who was seated at a desk off to the side, feet perched on the surface, leaning back in the chair, talking on the telephone.
Gloria rolled her eyes and coughed. Her eyes were red rimmed behind the dark framed eye glasses and the side of her mouth upturned in a scowl before she turned once more to her computer. How is she able to work in here with that stink? Glen’s eyes were starting to burn, and he’d just walked in.
There was nothing to do but wait. He took a deep breath and squared his shoulders feeling Carl’s eyes on him. How much longer would the little prick be on the phone? He glanced to the side and watched Gloria’s fingers fly over the keyboard. She kept track of the time sheets, and general accounting for this project for the main office. All the guys liked her. A real straight shooter, also no fan of Weasel Carl.
Glen shifted his gaze to the floor trying to block out the sound of Carl’s laughter and smarmy bullshit. He’d put up with this schmuck for almost two years. How much more could he handle? And last night with Abby. The bastard had ruined even that! Carl was the source of his problems at home. But not anymore. They’d have a vacay and fix things up.
“Henkel. Whaddaya want?” Carl hung up the phone, cigar in his yap, blue eyes squinting through the smoke.
Glen took a couple of steps to stand in front of the desk. “I need to take next week off. I’ve—“
“NO. We’re behind on this job and I need every guy—even you.” Carl lifted his feet off the desk and stood up, his chin thrust forward. “Now, if that’s all, get back to work.”
One. Two, Three. Four. No way could he get to ten. He tried but… “Wait a minute, Carl. I got the vacation time, so that’s not an issue. As far as being behind on the project, that’s your problem, not mine. If you’d a listened to some of the older guys, who happen to know a hell of a lot more about a job this size, you wouldn’t have wasted so much damn time and money.”
“Watch it, Henkel. You want this job or don’t you” Carl’s voice had become soft, like the hiss of a viper.
“Does your uncle know how much you’ve fucked up this job?” Glen leaned forward and jabbed his finger in the air, just a hair from Carl’s face. “Furthermore, I’m not asking for time off. I’m telling you. I’m taking the time off.”
“And I’m TELLING you, YOU’RE FIRED!” Carl stood straight, puffing out his chest like a bandy cock.
But just for a second. Glen held his eyes and when he did, Carl looked away.
“Go fuck yourself.” Glen stared him straight in the eyes.
“No. you go fuck yourself, gramps.”
In two steps, Glen was on top of Carl, his shirt bunched in his hands. “YOU’RE telling me to fuck myself, junior?” He lifted Carl off the floor and in one move held him pinned against the wall. “You owe me an apology, pal.”
“Fuck y—“ Carl’s final word was cut off, like the air in his throat from Glen’s paw, now in a vice-like grip.
“I don’t work for you anymore, you son of a bitch. Whadda’ ya going to do? Fire me? Oh wait. You just did that. Now apologize, before I get nasty.” God, this felt great. The little bastard’s eyes were bulging as he flailed against the wall.
“Sorry.” It was a mere, hoarse whisper.
“What’d ya say? I can’t hear ya. I’m old, remember?” Glen’s hand gave a tight shake, like a terrier with a toy, to Carl’s neck.
“I’m SORRY!”
Glen released his grip and watched Carl fall to the floor, catching himself in a crouch against the wall. He turned to walk out of the trailer, catching Gloria grinning intently at her computer.
“Gloria, call the cops!”
“And tell them what, Carl? I couldn’t see a damn thing through all this cigar smoke!” She waved her hands. “And I didn’t hear anything either, boss.”
Glen slammed the door and stood on the top step for a moment. “Hey everyone! I’m outta’ here!” He watched as guys he’d worked with for years, almost a lifetime, stopped what they were doing and turned to face him.
Shit! He should be worried maybe, not acting like he’d won the Superbowl. But he just felt so goddamned good, like the man he’d once been, pre-Carl.
“I just got fired! And I’m taking my wife on a cruise!” He threw his hardhat into the air.
“He fired you? Why that little weasel.” Frank, who had started in the trades the same time as Glen, took a few steps towards him.
“Yeah. He’s on his ass on the floor inside.” He walked down the steps and clapped Frank on the shoulder.
“You sure you’re going to be okay?” Frank’s eyebrows drew together under the lines in his forehead.
“We’ll be fine. Hell, I feel better than I have in years.” Glen walked through the crowd of men surrounding him, shaking hands, like some kind of movie star.
“Wish I had the guts.”
“Hope they get way behind here. Maybe then, they’ll axe that idiot.”
The men’s comments swirled in the air, lifting Glen so that he floated to his pick-up truck.
He opened the door and sat behind the wheel, exhaling loudly. Looking at the guys on the site and the steel girders of the building’s skeleton – what the hell had he just done? He was going on a cruise with no job to come back to.
Yet there was no tightness in his gut. His heart wasn’t going ninety miles an hour. He held his hand in the air above the dash board. Steady as a rock. There was only lightness in his body. Was he losing his marbles?
***
Abby had intended to be sitting in Ted’s office at nine sharp to let him know she’d be off for another week. But she couldn’t get by all the staff. When they saw her each one stopped her to ask how she was doing, when she’d be back. She’d always gotten along well with almost all of them and that had been as much as she’d ever thought about it. But this! This was incredible. They really missed her!
Just as she was about to turn to leave them, Maria Morton’s blond head and syrupy face appeared. For a fleeting second, the good cheer was eclipsed by a tightening in her gut. This back stabbing bitch probably had a lot to do with why she hadn’t been chosen to become the new manager.
“Abby! It’s nice to see you! How are you doing?” Maria stepped closer and placed her hand on Abby’s arm. The staff suddenly became quiet, watching.
Abby plucked Maria’s hand off her sleeve with the tips of two fingers, as if it was a snotty tissue. “Maria, cut the bullshit. If you had your way, I’d have been killed in that car accident.”
Maria’s head jerked back, eyes wide with shock. “Abby! That’s not true! How could you—”
“You think I don’t know about the things you were saying a few weeks ago? That, for an uneducated slob, I’ve done pretty well, but now I’ve hit the ceiling? What did you say to the Veep? I know why I didn’t get the job, so you can cut the crap. I’ve had enough of your backstabbing.” She took a step closer to Maria, chin thrust out.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Maria stepped back and turned, already heading for the elevator.
“Really? I wasn’t the first person you stabbed in the back, Maria! What goes around comes around, you sweet talking phony!” A titter went up across the cubicles. Maria looked around, her face crimson, and went into the stairwell.
Where the hell had THAT come from? How many times had she bit her tongue around Maria, afraid of making waves and possibly losing her job? Well no more of that shit.
She glanced at the women around her, some trying to pretend to be busy at their desks, now smiling openly. Grace, who was the closest co-worker that Abby could call a friend, was giving her a thumbs up.
Abby smiled and continued to the end of the corridor where Ted’s office was.
She knocked on his door and entered at the muffled ‘come in’.
“Abby! How’re you doing? It’s so good to see you.” Ted bounced up from his chair and rushed to shake her hand. “Have a seat.” His hand swept the air, indicating the chair in front of
the desk.
His face was split in an ear to ear grin as he rounded the desk and sat softly down.
“Hi Ted. I’m fine.” Abby took a seat.
“Tell me you’re coming back to work!” He leaned forward in his chair, hands clasped together on his desk.
Okay, here it is. Abby took a deep breath. All morning long she’d been rehearsing what she was going to say. Too bad she’d left the words at home because now, they were nowhere in her brain to be found.
“Well, I’m feeling much better—”
“Great! Then you’ll be back on Monday.” He sat up straight and folded his arms, hands tucked behind his head.
No doubt about it, he was relieved to have her back. “Well, no. I’m going to take a week of vacation and be back the following Monday.” She held her breath.
Ted’s hands left his neck and once more he was hunched over the desk, looking down at the blotter. “Gee Abby, now’s not a good time. We’re coming into the first quarter and the turn-around-times have been slipping since you’ve been gone.”
“I could have told you that would be the case. Do you know how much admin work I did to help the staff out? Have you done that?” Upper management had hired him, let them deal with this. The turn-around- times was not her concern.
“Well no…that’s not my function here – to do admin work.” Ted looked at her like she had two heads.
“Maybe you’ll have to hire more staff then.” She shrugged her shoulders. “I’m sorry Ted but I’ve got a cruise booked for next week. I have to have the time off.” She looked straight at him, her gaze never flinching.
“Abby, you’re supposed to clear it with management before you book a vacation. That’s the policy. You know that.” He returned her look, his jaw set, muscles working.
What the hell! “Of course I know that! I could have lied, told you, I’m still sick. I’m coming to you, being honest. I have the time banked.” What was it that Glen had said this morning? She’d almost blown it off at the time because it hadn’t made any sense. But now, anything was worth a shot.
“Look Ted, technically, I didn’t book it. My husband did, as a sort of get well thing. Actually, he said this morning that he’d come down and try to explain it to you. Said he’d like to take you and your sister out for drinks.” Abby tilted her head as she said this. Whatever this meant, it was having an effect.
“Tell your husband, that’s not necessary. If he wants to take you on a vacation, then you should go. What’s another week? We’ll survive. Go! Have fun with your husband!” Despite the grin on his face, his eyes were wide. As he got up from his chair, he gulped.
One of his hands was on her shoulder, while the other was opening the door for her to leave. This was odd. She’d have to ask Glen what the whole drinks thing with Ted and his sister was all about.
Chapter 21
Miami airport was an enormous hive of activity, with people buzzing here and there or waiting in line impatiently. She took two steps to Glen’s one as they hurried to the luggage carousel. Changing into high heeled sandals in the airplane hadn’t been such a good idea. At least in her flat heeled ‘sensible’ boots she’d be able to walk faster. But what was the big rush anyway? Weren’t they supposed to be on vacation?
“Glen.” She stared at the back of his head and floral Hawaiian shirt, as she scurried along.
“GLEN!” THAT got his attention.
He turned and stopped, waiting for her to take the three steps to catch up.
“Where’s the fire?” Her breath was almost a pant.
“We don’t want to miss the boat. Who knows how long it will take to get the luggage, if they haven’t lost it. And then traffic to get to the dock? I’d rather be early than late, Abby.” He reached for her hand and almost dragged her to the escalator.
“Geez Glen, we’re three hours early. The boat isn’t leaving until two this afternoon. We’re going to be okay. Honest.” She squeezed his hand as they rode down.
“I know. This is going to be the best vacation we’ve ever had.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek.
His words and the tone of his voice didn’t square up with the look of worry that had visited his face for a moment. Was he concerned about Peter, about money? They had a nice nest egg in the bank and they both had decent jobs.
“Should we text Peter, to make sure everything’s okay?” She looked up at him, her eyes wide. After all, it would be the first time he’d be left home alone and for almost a week at that.
“Naw. He’ll be fine. I left lots of dough for him and Barry said he’d check in on him.”
She stepped quickly, getting off the elevator. Should she be reassured or worried more with Barry checking in on her son? But Claire had also promised to keep an eye on things, so that was good.
She held Glen’s hand tightly as they stood waiting for their luggage. He was right, Peter would be okay. She inhaled deeply and grinned watching the carousel roll. They were going on a vacation! A ROMANTIC vacation to the islands. There’d be warmth, sunbathing and dancing under the stars. And this man of hers, this guy she was still nuts about, had arranged it. She stepped close to him and laid her cheek on his arm.
***
They passed through the Cruise ship office and waited in line to board the ship. Outside, the southern sun had beat down on their heads, kissing their exposed skin till it was pink. But, in here it was comfortable and cool. They stood with gaping mouths looking at the ship where they would spend the next four nights.
It was enormous. No, that couldn’t even begin to describe it. Not even Gi-normous could cut it. It was a freaking town, if not city, towering above them, a gleaming white behemoth. It’d take days to explore it!
Glen glanced at the people in the line-up in front of him. Most of them were his age but there were a few couples younger and even a few more that looked to be in their sixties if not seventies. Well, good for them. They’d probably worked hard all their life and were now taking it easy, enjoying the fruits of their labor.
Oh no. He gulped as the fact he didn’t have a job to go home to, hit him. And for Christ’s sake, Abby couldn’t find that out. Not yet. They were going on a cruise to have a good time, and rekindle the romance. He smiled and leaned over to kiss her forehead. The floral scent of her perfume filled his nostrils when he bent lower to whisper in her ear.
“Enjoy the view now because it may be the last time you see it.” His hand went to her shoulder keeping her head from jerking away. “We may never leave the cabin.” He bit the lobe of her ear gently.
This time he allowed her to look up at him. “Promise?”
“You think I’m going to let you sun bathe in that string thing you bought? In public? Look at these guys in line. There’s not enough of me to fight ‘em off.” God, he loved the look on her face now. Yeah, maybe he’d taken her for granted and not given her enough compliments--especially when it was the truth. She was a good looking woman. He pulled her close to him and kissed the top of her head.
He took a couple of steps as the line moved forward and looked at the stairs leading to the covered tunnel to the ship. A couple in their late forties was just moving past the steward. Holy hell! Could her skirt be any shorter and still cover her ass? His eyes opened wider. Actually, the little smile at the bottom of her butt was showing. He’d be damned if he’d let Abby wear a skirt that short in public. Oh well, different strokes.
The couple in line just ahead of Abby and him looked pretty excited. She was a willowy redhead bouncing on the toes of her high heeled sandals. Her hands were roaming freely over the broad back of her husband and every now and then she’d lean over to kiss his ear or whisper something before giggling. The dark haired man, her husband, smiled and muttered something back.
Glen didn’t want to hear what they said and seem like an eavesdropper, some kind of creep. He turned to watch two carts full of luggage being wheeled by them, and then to a rolling ramp. Despite his respect for the couple’s privacy a couple of wor
ds registered. “Cruise takeover.”
What the hell did the guy mean by that? Cruise take over? Would it be like that movie he’d watched with Abby? The Tom Hanks one where Somali pirates took over the ship? Naw. What was he thinking? This was America and that ship was freaking huge! Still, maybe he’d see the guy on the ship and see what he’d meant.
It seemed like forever waiting to board the ship but when he glanced at his watch, it was actually only ten minutes. When he and Abby stepped away from the steward and onto the deck, they looked like TOTAL tourists, and they didn’t care. Their mouths gaped open looking up at the massive floating structure.
“What’s that banner mean, Glen? Welcome Lifestylers?” Abby pointed to a white banner draped across the railing on the opposite side of the ship.
“I dunno know. Maybe cruise vacations are a lifestyle? So we’ve joined the lifestyle. Who knows? Who cares?” He grinned and hoisted the carry-on bag higher on his shoulder, looking at the mini golf course at the front of the ship and then to the right, at the enormous pool surrounded by gleaming white lounge chairs. And in front of him were brightly colored bars and restaurants.
“This is like Disneyland for adults! Look at the places to eat and drink! Oh Glen, we’re going to have so much fun!” Abby slid her sunglasses to the top of her head as she stepped inside, following the signs to the floor where their cabin was located.
Chapter 22
“We’ve got thirty minutes to unpack, settle in and then do the emergency drill. God, I hope it doesn’t take long. I’m dying for a drink and something to eat. What kind of food do you feel like? There’s Chinese, Japanese, Italian and a burger bar too.” Glen followed Abby down the corridor on the Atlantic deck to their cabin.
Abby turned and looked over his shoulder before she spoke. “Thirty minutes huh? Maybe I can help you with the something to eat. I’m thinking American.” She smiled and wiggled her eyebrows, skipping along in front of him.