Chapter 5
Chapter Five
ULY
“We got the jobs!” Jamie shouted, so loud I had to pull the phone away from my ear.
“Good. I’m glad,” I replied, a bit acidly. I didn’t want to be upset, because they both deserved better than what they got. It was jealousy, and I admit it, but I really wanted something nice to happen to me once in a while.
“Did you even bother to contact him? I doubt he hands out those cards to every Harry Dick who approaches him.”
It was an old joke from when we were kids. It always made me laugh, because it was one of those naughty things you were told you couldn’t say, but still found a way to do. This time? I didn’t even crack a smile.
“I told you, I’m not going to. I’d rather cut out the middle man of my firing, and get to the meat of it. No one is going to be happy having me as an employee. If I could get disability for my terminal klutziness, I would.”
He sighed, and even I could hear the judgment over the line. “Look, I’m not going to sit here and go through all this again. Deb and I both told you what we thought. Have you checked with a doctor?”
Of course I hadn’t. “No,” I answered.
“Then let me ask you something, Ulysses. How badly do you want this problem fixed, if you’re not willing to take steps toward getting it done?”
Wow, he’d used my full name. I couldn’t remember the last time he’d done that. “Please don’t be mad.”
“I’m not mad. Well, not much. I’ve heard you talk about your issues for years, but now that we’ve tried to coax you into having them checked out, you’re resistant. Lemme ask you something. Is it because it’s easier for you when people push you away to blame it on the clumsiness?”
Yes, goddamn it, it was. All my so called friends disappeared when I got upset they teased me about my lack of coordination and the near constant brain fog.
You can only hear so many comments like that, followed by the inevitable “lighten up, it’s just a joke” before you snap.
If I was being honest with myself, I’d rather have no friends than the ones who feel as though laughing at me is perfectly acceptable, and I should just take it.
“You know what? I’m really super duper glad your life is perfect!” I shouted. “I’m sorry that I can’t be as fucking cool as you, or as smart, or as good at baking, or be married to—“
“You fucking stop right there,” he snarled. “You say one bad thing about Deb, who has been on your side for-fucking-ever, and this conversation is over. I don’t care what you say about me, but you do not badmouth her. Do I make myself clear?”
And I knew I was about to. I can’t adequately express the shame I felt, because Jamie was right. This was my lowest point ever. No job, refusing to put myself out there, because I thought I’d be hurt again, and was ready to push my family away too? That had to stop.
“I’m sorry. I—Fuck. I’m going to make an appointment today, I promise.”
“Uly…” His voice was soft. “We love you. We want you to see if there’s something out there that can help you. We’re not trying to be assholes, I swear.”
“I know.” And I did. Jamie had stopped ragging on me when he was like nineteen. After that, he met Deb, and I think she helped him grow. Maybe it was time I did the same thing. “I love you.”
“Love you too bro. Now call your doctor.”
“I don’t have insurance,” I said. “I’ll figure something out.”
“We can pay for it.”
For many years, Jamie had been taking care of me.
If I was short on money for bills, I’d suddenly get a windfall.
If I didn’t have food in the house, there would be an accidental delivery, that the store would insist I should keep for my inconvenience.
Deb would put out feelers for jobs, and she’d gotten me interviews, that I always managed to screw up somehow.
It was time for me to stand on my own two feet. If I wanted to get better, I needed to take the first step, and make sure to follow through. I had a golden opportunity, and I knew I was squandering it.
“No. I want to do this for me. I’ve put it off long enough, so now I need to deal with it.”
“Okay, if you’re sure. You have to promise me something, though. If you need help, you know who to call, right?”
“Ghostbusters, of course.”
He laughed. “Dick. Call us, and we’ll be there for you.”
We talked for a few more minutes, with me asking about their jobs, where they’d be working, and how excited they both were. I wanted that with a ferocity I hadn’t expected. A job where I could be happy, and one that would give me the support I needed. In short, I needed to talk to Mr. Lockhart.
The first thing I did was pull out his card and put his name and number in my contacts. I punched the buttons before I could freak out further, and waited for him to answer. He wouldn’t, of course. He had to have a million other—
“This is Brent Lockhart, may I help you?”
“Mr. Lockhart?”
“Oh, Uly! I’m so glad you called. I’ve been thinking about you.”
I was momentarily stunned because he sounded genuinely happy. “Y-You have?”
A deep chuckle. “Don’t sound so surprised. You are not a forgettable person.”
My hackles went up, because I was sure he was going to say my klutziness made me memorable. I was ready to bitch him out, then hang up, but he continued.
“It isn’t everyone who can save hundreds of jobs, and share a sublime cake with me.
I asked your brother for the recipe so my staff could make it, but he says it’s a trade secret.
Just wait until he sees pictures I’m sending of the kitchen in his new place.
I’m willing to bet that sweetens the pot. ”
“Sounds like blackmail to me,” I said.
“If it gets me the recipe, I don’t care what word you use.
” Then he sobered a bit. “I am kidding, so you know. I would never try to get it from him if he didn’t want to share.
I hope he’s willing, but if not, I’m a big boy who can deal with the crushing disappointment of never having that delicious, moist, amazing cake again. ”
That made me laugh, I couldn’t help myself.
“So, how can I help you?”
“I wanted to let you know that I’m interested in a job, but….”
How to say this so it didn’t come across as crazy.
“Go on, but what? I’d like to know so I can help if possible.”
He sounded genuine. “I need to go to the doctor,” I rushed out. “Jamie and Deb think I might have a problem that makes it hard for me to focus, and that’s why I break so many things. My brain is going too fast in so many different directions, I can’t nail one down at a time.”
And this was where he’d pull the offer for the job. “That’s a sound assumption,” he said. “How can I help?”
“It’s kind of you to offer, but I’m okay. Just wanted to let you know in case… In case you changed your mind about wanting to hire me.”
There. I’d said it. Now the ball was in his court.
brENT
I hadn’t been kidding. I was constantly thinking about Uly.
No clue why, but he was on my mind all the time.
Bits of conversation in the office had me wondering what his take on it would be.
Having the lunch that Chef Amelia had made for me had me worried Uly would slather it with tartar sauce.
Just the thought of him made me smile at the oddest times.
Now? I was stone sober. I could hear the fear in his voice. I had to wonder what life had been like for Uly growing up. Had he always been clumsy? By his own admission, it seemed that way. Did that mean he shouldn’t be hired for a job? Hell, no.
“Thank you for thinking about my needs, Uly. I can assure you, unless you turn out to be an axe murderer, nothing will make me rescind the offer of a job. I’d like you to work for us, and we can definitely point you in a direction of some things you might find to be a comfortable fit.”
“Darn. Now you know my secret. Let me put away my axe.” He sucked in a breath. “Kidding. Really, thank you.”
There was a smile over his ability to joke, even when he was uncertain. “Don’t thank me. I told you, someone once gave me help when I needed it, and I’m determined to return that favor whenever I can.”
“Chaim?”
“Not now, cub,” he grunted, lowering the bar to his chest, then lifting it again.
I stood there, arms at my side, staring at the floor, doing my best not to cry. “What did my Dad say to you?”
He blew out an explosive breath, and put the bar back on the holders. I looked up, and when he turned to me, I could see the frustration on his face.
“We won’t be able to lift with you anymore. Your father forbid it.”
Pain and anger seared through me. Why was my father taking away my friend? No, not just a friend. The very best one I’d ever had. Hell, at the time probably the only one I had.
He got up and gripped my shoulder as he stared me in the eyes. “You gotta do something for me, cub.”
“Anything.”
“Don’t forget your promise. Be strong, be kind. Help those who need it whenever you can.” Then he hugged me, putting his chin atop my head as Benjy flanked me on the other side. “We’re gonna miss you, Brent.”
Then the two of them sandwiched me in an embrace. They both smelled of sweat and determination. Even at the end, Chaim would always be who he was, refusing to change for anyone, even my father.
We held on for a long while, because I knew once I let go, they’d walk out of my life, and that would be the last time we spoke. It was also the day the anger I had toward my father rooted itself in my heart.
“Mr. Lockhart? Are you there?”
Damn it. I had to track Chaim down. He was on my mind far too much for it to be coincidence.
“Sorry. Remember the friend I told you about? I’ve been thinking about him a lot lately.”
“Then you should find him. We tend to remember good friends, and they’re hard to come by.”
Once again, Uly was right. “I’ll do that. Anyway, is there anything I can do for you to make your doctor’s visit easier?”
He chuckled. “Tell me where to get insurance?”
“Sure, one sec.”
“Wait, I didn’t mean—“