Whatever he did, I’d enjoy it. I’d ask for more.
Why would I even think that? He’s my boss. I shouldn’t be having thoughts like that about my boss. I mean, yesterday he was being friendly, and nice, but that was probably just because I was upset, right? It doesn’t mean he’s interested in anything but my cooking. I need to hold myself together or I might lose the best job in the world.
I’m just chastising myself for being ridiculous when my phone starts to buzz in my bag. I reach in, fishing around for it as another removals man walks past me, carrying a box clearly marked “bathroom”. My cosmetics, sanitary items and suchlike are in there, but that’s another thing—when I got here this morning, the bathroom was already stocked with exactly the same things I buy for myself. I thought at first that there was someone else living here, but the removals men told me that wasn’t the case, that I could choose any bedroom I wanted as Roman—Mr. Schalk to them, apparently—told them I was the only guest.
So why the cosmetics? Left here by the previous tenant who happened to have the exact same taste as me?
I put my hand to my temple as I look down at the phone, and my heart leaps into my throat.
Every other concern is instantly forgotten as I hit the answer call button.
“Anthea? What’s wrong? Is Max OK?”
“Yes, yes. He’s fine. Look, Safi, this is awkward. Teri hasn’t paid me. It’s almost a month late now. I can’t… I have bills of my own. I’ve had the payment from you but it’s not enough. I need to cover my expenses.”
I squeeze my forehead, closing my eyes. Teri is my sister-in-law and this isn’t the first time she’s missed making her half of the payment. I know money is tight for her right now, but she needs to talk to me if there’s a problem, not leave it until the nurse walks out on us both.
“I’m really sorry. I had no idea. How much do you need?”
There’s a pause on the other end of the line before Anthea answers nervously, like the words are difficult to say. “Come on, Safi, you know how much my salary is supposed to be.”
I squeeze my eyes shut against the tears threatening to escape. Anthea is my brother’s nurse, and she’s good at her job. She’s also a really nice person that’s put up with a lot, especially in the early days when Teri was a total mess. I hate doing this to her. Max needs around-the-clock care. We’d have difficulty getting someone else as good as Anthea for the money she’s charging.
“I know, I’m sorry. But if I can just give you what you need right now, I can get you the rest—”
“Safi, I can’t do it. Not again. Not this time. At some point I have to say no. I’m going to need the payment in full, or…I hate to say it but maybe it would be better just to put Max in a group home. You know, I’d help you to find a good place. It would be a lot cheaper.”
“I can’t do that to him. He’s my brother, that’s his home, his wife, his kids. Please, Anthea. I’ll get you the money, you know I always do.”
“Safi, I need it by tomorrow. There’s another job I can go to. I can start right away but they won’t wait for me. Come on, let’s be sensible about this. I’d like to help you get Max into a group home before I go, you know I care about him. I’d rather leave knowing he’s going to be cared for.”
I wipe my eyes, glad right now that none of the removals men are looking at me. Why today, when I was so happy just a few moments ago?
Would it be easier just to put Max in a group home? Am I being stupid trying to keep this up? I try to convince myself that it would be for the best, but the truth is I know it’s not. He was so proud of buying that place for himself and his family. He’d be devastated. It would kill him.
“No, I can’t do it. Anthea, I’m begging you, please don’t make me do this.”
“I’m really sorry, but we have to face facts—”
“I’ll get you the money,” I tell her instinctively, then fall silent.
How? How will I get Teri’s share of the money as well as my own?
It doesn’t matter. I’ll do it. I’ll figure it out. I’ll call the bank. Now that I have a job, they’ll lend me the money, right?
“I want to say yes, but come next month aren’t we going to be in this exact same position? I think we should just rip off the band-aid…”