I stared in disbelief at the offer letter my manager had emailed me.
I'd been at my current job for a year and a half, and I definitely worked my ass off, so I was recently offered to move up in the company. It would require me to travel once a month, so I talked it over with Osiris first.
We decided it would be smart to go for it, but she told me to not let them short me on my raise.
I'd been making $70,000 a year, so with travel, we figured they should at least add $5,000 or more a year. Instead, I was looking at an offer for $85,000.
It was nearly time for my lunch break, so I decided I'd talk with my mentor before replying to the email.
His name was Princeton, and we met when I was only a few months into my current role. Our company had an outing, and he happened to be having drinks at the same restaurant. I admired him because he was only a few years older than me, but he was already making almost a million a year, owned a house, and was the head of a great nonprofit.
Once I went on my break, I gave him a call and explained everything.
"It's cool and all, but I'd say counter and see if they'll go up to $90,000. Just explain that with adding traveling on top of having additional responsibilities, and the fact that you can show that you've grown significantly, you feel that that amount is more adequate."
"Thanks, man. By the way, my fiancée said she'd like to thank you with a meal someday. Would you be willing to accept?"
"Yea, I'd be honored. Actually, my wife has been looking to make friends now that she works for herself. It'll be a good chance for them to meet."
"Nice. Hit me when you two are free and we'll be happy to host you."
"Good shit. Let me get back to it."
"Yea of course. Thank you."
I smiled to myself. Me and Osiris had talked a few times about her being a nail tech full time instead of waitressing, and now we could do that.
We weren't worried about buying a house because my grandma's home was already paid off, and she said it was ours when she retired in about 5 years because she was going to move to an active living community.
Both me and Osiris' cars were already paid off, too, so with this raise, the risk wasn't too big anymore.
When I got home that night, I was excited to tell Osiris the big news. I burst through the front door with a goofy smile on my face. I could smell baked cookies, so I went toward the kitchen.
Osiris was sitting there with red eyes, which made my smile completely disappear.
"Baby, what's wrong? Where's Jaj?"
"He's just asleep. And nothing's technically wrong. I'm just a little upset because I failed that history test I was telling you about. It's just frustrating."
I hugged her silently for a moment, then kissed her head.
"Okay. Are you able to retake it?"
"No. I mean, technically I shouldn't be sad. I'll still pass, but my GPA is going to go down. I worked so hard on it. Remember, I even missed Dre's birthday to write that one essay. He was upset and I called him selfish, and now it wasn't even worth it."
"Yea, I remember. But, I also remember that you went out of your way to make it up to him, and he forgave you. It wasn't a waste, Siri. Live with it for now, and tomorrow we'll figure out a way to ask your teacher what you can do to cushion that grade, alright?"
She nodded and hugged me tighter. "Now, let's have dinner," she said as if to cheer herself up.
"What did you make?"
"Breakfast for dinner. I've been keeping our food warm in the oven so I could eat with you."
Osiris took the food out and began making my plate.
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"Wait— let me make your plate this time. You've had a hard enough day already."
"It wasn't all bad, but thank you. But hey, how was work?"
My smile returned and I looked at her proudly. "They offered me $85k, but Princeton suggested me to ask for $90k. They'll have an answer for me by Monday."
"Oh wow! Congratulations, Jere Bear."
"Thank you, baby. You want me to put some cookies on your plate, or you gonna wait to get some after you're done eating?"
"You can put some on there now."
We were caught off guard by the sound of Jaj waking up.
"Let him stay up late. It's a special night," I said. Osiris nodded in agreement before going to grab him out of his crib.
"Daddy," he said excitedly as he ran to me.
I grabbed him up and spun him around. "How was your day, son?"
"Good. Daddy, can I wear my ring?"
"Of course. Let's go get it."
We kept Jaj's ring put up in our bathroom so he wouldn't lose it or try to eat it.
When we went back to the dining room, I put him in his high chair and he patiently waited for us to put a plate in front of him.
"Oh, by the way, me and Rachel are going dress shopping this weekend. Your grandma said to call her if you end up needing her to keep Jaj if you end up having work."
"I don't think I'll have work, but it would give me a chance to catch up on my growing to do list."
