Roomies Book Two: Quarantine (PolyLove)

Chapter Five: Early Days Before the Move

Chapter Five: Early Days Before the Move

"What do you mean you need to take some leave?" Shannon said, confused. "You were fine on Friday. You didn't say a thing about this? What's going on Cameron?"

Cameron's boss, Shannon Morgan, was a good person, a little no nonsense, a little too by the books, but that could be an advantage for a manager. Ryan and his husband both worked at the same physical therapy center, Ryan in sports, Cameron with the elderly. But it was a fairly large workplace, because in addition, there were subsections for the differently abled and pediatrics. Each division had their own sets of secretaries and managers. Ryan had already gotten leave from his supervisor, who agreed without hesitation; no fuss no muss. But Shannon was proving more difficult.

"I need a week," he said with great difficulty. Didn't matter that he was a twenty six year old adult professional, with four years as an employee, conflict still gave him hives. He hated this. Hated having to ask for time off, hated leaving his clients without his support, hated making things difficult for Shannon and for the other therapists who might have to shift their schedules to sub for him.

Ryan sat next to him on the couch, and put his hand gently onto Cameron's knee, out of sight of Shannon on screen. He wanted to show his support, but also to make sure his sweet husband didn't buckle under pressure, as was his pattern. Diego and Nate sat in chairs facing Cameron, serious and watchful.

Cameron glanced at Ryan and at his friends, and groaned internally. He knew this was important; knew that HE was important to the three men surrounding him. But...if it had just been a matter of Cameron's own choice, with no one else involved, he would definitely work up until the last seconds before lockdown, pandemic or not. He was indeed his mother's son.

Miranda said the lockdown would be announced in a week, most likely. But in that week, with numbers rising in the community where he and Ryan worked, contagion was very possible. What really convinced him were Miranda's logical arguments; he might do ok if he caught this crazy virus, but the worst case would be that he spread it to all of his patients. Elderly people who would most likely not survive. That did it for Cameron. He would never never chance that.

But still...Miranda had asked him not to tell his employers, because she wasn't really supposed to tell anyone. And she assured him that after the lockdown announcement, employers would be given support of how to transition services virtually. He just needed the buffer of the week until the announcement.

"I don't have anyone that can cover you." Shannon went on, scrolling through her phone. "It's so last minute, Cameron. Can't you come in tomorrow at least?"

Cameron winced and opened his mouth to agree...

"No." Ryan said, showing his face to Shannon on the screen. "He can't."

Diego and Nate pushed their way onto the couch, making sure they were also seen.

"Hi!" Nate said cheerfully. "I'm Nathaniel Freeman, a very close friend of Cameron's. You're really abusing his kindness. Please stop badgering him. He can't come in. End of story."

Shannon looked confused. Diego frowned at her, coming closer to the screen, pushing Ryan and Nate to the side.

"It's either you give him the week, or he quits." He said, laying down the bottom line.

Cameron gasped, astonished. Eyes bulging, livid, he smacked Diego. Off screen.

"I don't know who you are," Shannon spoke firmly. "But I will not speak to anyone but Cameron regarding this. Even you, Ryan. You may be his husband, but you are not his boss."