I sat in mild shock for a moment. Damn, I never realized he was gay, not that I cared. Good for him. Men were easier to deal with than women any day of the week.
“Okay then, back to work. All of you,” I said as everyone left, muttering to each other.
I had no problem firing someone. It was part of being a boss. They were just employees, and their personal life wasn’t anything to do with me. I was just glad I had no problems like they did. I thought back to how Dad had taught me to stand firm and be tough, it was the only way a business could go forward, and it was true that weak people never survived.
I returned to the office after lunch and was just about to tell Kendall I was going home. She knocked on the door and entered my office before me.
“Can I have a quick word please,” Kendall asked as she clasped her hands in front of her.
“What do you want?” I asked. I guessed she wanted something. It wasn’t very often she came into the office and asked to speak to me.
“Is it possible to be absent tomorrow?” she asked quiet and unsure.
“What you want a day off for? Fuck, you have an interview somewhere else?”
“No, it’s my dog, he’s sick,” she answered. “I need to take him to the vet, please.”
“For fuck's sake, Kendall. I just got rid of one person, and nearly got rid of another for being absent,” I said in a demeaning tone. “How do you think that will make me look to have you taking a day off? I’ll tell you. I’d look like a fucking hypocrite. Don’t you think?"
I had always hated pets and known they were a complete waste of time. All you have to do is take care of them, where is the joy in that?
“I know, but, it’s, it’s ah, it doesn’t matter,” she replied with a tear in her eye.
“As much as I think you are a good employee, don’t think that sob story will change my mind, a simple tear from you will make me look like a weak fuck to rest of the staff,” I said sternly.
“What stands for one stands for everyone, I don’t want everyone crying just to get a day off or to save being dismissed. Take Jefferson for example. You want him to come in here crying, saying he has a boyfriend problem, sob, sob and I put my arm around him and go, 'there, there, there, everything will be all right, of course, he loves you.' It just isn’t gonna happen, sweetheart."
Her face went pale, and another tear fell.
“Just find another way around it and get back to your desk. I feel like shit today and don’t want to ever hear about your stupid fucking dog again,” I said. “Is that clear?”
“Yes, Sir. I’ll try and sort something else out if possible,” she replied.
“I’m sure you can manage to think of something. You have a decent brain between your ears, not bad for a blonde,” I added as she walked toward the door with her shoulders hunched.
I turned on the TV and flicked through the channels. My cell phone rang. Peter. What the fuck did he want now? The phone stopped ringing, and the message came up.
"You have one voicemail." I turned my attention back to the TV, but the cable sucked. It was all repeats.
Peter called again on the cell, and I ignored it. I had nothing to say to him, and I had no idea what he wanted from me. It was definitely time he sorted his own problems out for once.
“Kendall,” I called.
“Yes, what can I get you?” she replied through my open door.
“Just, if Peter calls, tell him you haven’t seen me today? You have no idea where I am." A migraine was coming on fast.
“Okay, no problem. Any message for him?” she asked as she waited for my reply.
“Nah, just tell him I have probably gone on a bender again,” I chuckled.
“You really want me to tell him that?” she replied as she smiled a fake smile.
“Don’t be dumb. You may be blonde, but you’re not all stupid,” I said raising my eyebrows.
I turned off the TV and grabbed my jacket, ignoring the hurt look on her pretty face. I’d had enough of the day and had decided to go and see if the house had been cleaned yet.
Kendall was on the phone as I approached her desk, she mouthed the word “Peter” to me. With note, I headed toward the elevator.