I picked it up.
“Hello?”
“Mrs.
Parker? Sorry to call again.
Daniel finally sent me a message, but I wanted to make sure everything was all right at home.”
Daniel shook his head sharply.
I turned away from him.
“We’re safe, Brian.
Thank you for checking.”
“I’m glad.
I was concerned because this is very unlike him.”
Daniel mouthed, Hang up.
Brian continued, “I do need to speak with him before Monday.
Missing two scheduled days without notice is serious.”
“I understand.”
Daniel stepped closer.
I lifted one finger, stopping him.
“Is he there?” Brian asked.
I looked directly at my husband.
“Yes.”
Daniel’s jaw clenched.
“Could you put him on?”
I held out the phone.
For a moment Daniel simply stared at it.
Then he took it.
“Brian.
Hey.”
His manager’s voice was too faint for me to make out every word, but I didn’t need to.
Daniel’s posture told the story.
First defensive.
Then rigid.
Then small.
“No, there wasn’t an emergency.”
A pause.
“I understand.”
Another pause.
“Yes.
Monday morning.”
His eyes closed.
“I understand.”
He ended the call.
“What happens Monday?” I asked.
“A formal meeting.”
“With Brian?”
“And HR.”
I nodded.
Daniel threw the phone onto the sofa.
“This is unbelievable.”
I looked at him.
He caught himself almost immediately.
“I don’t mean you.
I mean—everything.”
“You mean the consequences showed up before Monday.”
He sank into the chair opposite me.
For the first time, he looked frightened rather than angry.
“What if I lose my job?”
