In Love with a Lunatic (joshler)

39. Photograph

Friday
November 14

Tyler sighs as he walks with Eli into work. He really hopes his boss allows Eli to be here for his shift. Jenna had to cancel babysitting at the last minute for a family emergency, and while he doesn't blame Jenna for it, it left him with no time to find a sitter since Josh and Dallon both had practice. He did think of Josh's mom on his way to work, but felt guilty about dropping the little boy off at the last minute to a person he's never met.

"Tyler?" his coworker says, looking surprised. "What are you doing here?"

"I work today?" Tyler chuckles.

"Um...okay. Who's this?"

"This is my cousin Eli. My sitter had to cancel last minute. I'm hoping since I have a short shift today, he can maybe just kinda hang out in the back. Is Mindy here?"

"Yeah, she's in her office. I think she wants to talk to you, actually."

"About what?"

"The picture."

Tyler's brow furrows in confusion at the teenager, "What picture?"

"Oh, shit. You haven't seen it?"

Tyler shrugs, "I don't think so..."

"I'm gonna let Mindy handle this."

Walking around the younger man, Tyler leads Eli to the back office where his manager Mindy is sitting with an older woman.

"Tyler, hi, come in."

"What's going on?"

"Tyler, this is Jennifer Hanes, she works in the company's Human Resources department. We just wanted to talk to you about the photo that was posted of you."

"What photo? Posted where?"

"Who is this cutie?" Mindy smiles at the shy boy behind Tyler.

"My cousin. My sitter canceled last minute. What photo?"

Jennifer opens the manilla folder in her hands and sets a printed sheet of paper on the desk. Tyler's face drains of color as he sees the provocative picture of him screenshotted from his work's Google review page.

"I don't imagine you would post it yourself, so I highly suggest finding out who did post it," Mindy says gently. "Until then...I'm sorry, Tyler, but we're letting you go from the company."

Tyler gulps, trying to remember who he sent this specific photo to. He remembers taking it, and he knows it's at least a couple of years old. But who would still have it? And why would they post it to simply sabotage him?

"Um, this isn't still posted, is it?"

"No. It was removed."

"Am I in trouble for this? Like, legally?"

Jennifer clears her throat, "If it were a continuous thing, it could lead to that. Unfortunately, the only way to ensure it does not lead to that, is the decision to let you go."

Tyler sighs, his face turning red, "I'm so sorry, Mindy, I...I don't even know, I have no idea who would have posted it."

"I'm sorry, Tyler. You're a great person and employee. I hope things work out for you, sweetheart," Mindy says sincerely.

Tyler nods, "Can I keep this?"

"Yes."

He nods again before taking the paper off the desk. He sighs, staring at the photo for another moment before folding it and walking out of the office.