33. Evvy
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
evvy
My lungs fill with the crisp fall air as I slide out of Zack’s old truck.
He let me borrow it for my first day back at work.
The team has practice today, so he left the house before I got up this morning.
Of course there was some cold brew and candy corn waiting in the kitchen for me.
Hopefully the sweets stop after Halloween because they’re becoming a daily habit.
The short walk to the state park visitor center is gorgeous on this October day. A rainbow of leaves dot the canopy with their colors sprinkled between the tall pines. The time away was amazing, but it’s good to be back here.
Even the familiar cedar scent of the visitor center brings a smile to my face as I step through the entrance. It’s quiet today. Most of the volunteer positions are over for the season, and only a handful of regular employees remain on staff.
Lindsey’s manning the visitor desk and gives me a cheerful wave as I walk through the room. “Welcome back,” she says with a smile. “Felix is waiting for you in his office.”
“Okay, thanks.” Turning on my heels, I stroll right back out the door. His office is in a separate building off the back of the visitor center. It’s a quick walk, and I find him waiting outside the door.
“Hello, Evelyn, come on in.” Felix holds open the screen door and gestures for me to walk into the office. It’s a small space, big enough for his desk and a couple of chairs for guests.
I take a seat opposite him as he sinks down into his office chair, folding his hands across his desk calendar.
His eyes roam and make me feel uneasy. I can’t quite place the look on his face.
It’s not the same expression as he had around me two weeks ago.
It seems harder and colder. My stomach sinks.
“I trust you’ve enjoyed your time off?” He stares at me, unblinking.
“Yes, thanks for giving me the time to recover. The tree incident was…scary, but I’m good now. I’m excited to be back.”
Felix’s jaw sets as he crosses his arms and leans back in his chair.
“I take no delight in telling you this.” Why do I get the feeling he does delight in whatever words are about to leave his mouth?
“There is no more funding available for your position. A position has opened up in Colorado, so you’re being reassigned. ”
No. My stomach hollows as my brain processes his words. Colorado? I can’t go to Colorado.
A false smile spreads across his face. “You said you love the mountains, so Colorado should be perfect for you. And of course, I know the tree situation wasn’t your fault, but these two weeks without you here have shown me we can get by without your position.
When the budget’s tight, something’s got to give.
Unfortunately for you, it was your job.”
I feel like I’m going to be sick. This can’t be legal. Or is it?
“Here’s your final paycheck.” He pushes the paper across the desk. “Your unused vacation time was added in. Think of it as a bonus.”
My eyes bounce between the check and Felix as anger rages inside me.
Zack was right about him.
I jump to my feet. “You can shove that check up your ass, Felix! You know I was a great employee. I loved this job. This has nothing to do with the budget. It never had anything to do with the budget!” Felix’s eyes are wide like saucers as my voice grows louder.
“You’re a vindictive, small man who’s playing games because you didn’t get your way.
Make sure you tell HR that when they ask why I quit! ”
His mouth falls open, catching flies, when I crumple up the check and toss it in the trash.
I can never have something go right in my life without something else going completely wrong. I walk right out the door without looking back. I make it to the truck and drive down the long dirt exit road before the tears start falling.