I went to the daybreak café. It was late in the afternoon but I seriously needed a coffee after that meeting. I needed that caffeine buzz to change my mood. As I approached the cafe. Lara greeted me with a wave and a happy smile.
"How are you Jay, how's the lifeguard life?" Lara asked.
As much as I wanted to say it was great, I told her the truth. "Lara today has been the worst day I have ever had" I said as I continued to explain what had just happened in the meeting. Lara closely listened to everything I said. Analyzing the small details.
"Jay I finish in a few minutes go and sit over there, I'll be with you soon" Lara said as she went to finish her shift.
I went to sit down on the cafe chair. I had my head down and I felt sick. My stomach had closed up and the nausea kicked in. It didn't happen often. It feels like I am being constantly kicked in the guts from a strange angle.
I couldn't help but feel ashamed. What would Nicole think for me if I got fired? Why am I thinking of Nicole, she doesn't even know my name.
"Wake up Jay" Lara said as she hit my head with her hand.
She then passed me a cappuccino
"On the house Jay, enjoy" Lara said smiling.
"Thanks Lara, how much do I owe you?" I said as I handed Lara the money, she quickly refused my payment.
"Jay... My advice is not to over think this. From what you told me there is no doubt that Mel snitched on you and told Sven. Harry seems like another candidate, if what you told me was true." Lara said as she pushed my hand back a second time, refusing the money.
"What should I do?" I said
"Play the game smarter. Confront these people, ask them. Don't get upset. Most importantly don't piss off Loretta. Always do as she asks. Be nice and keep tabs." Lara said as if she knew what to say.
That or she had been in some kind of similar situation. "I don't completely understand you" I said.
"Keep tabs Jay. Always do as Loretta commands, don't give her reasons to complain about you. If you have to shove shit. Do it without question. With a smile on your face. Then when she does slip up. Keep tabs and then report it. The art of war. Attack when they least expect it." Lara said as she smiled and then did that funny pose only she could pull off.
"Ok, well what about Harry and Mel" I asked as I handed money to Lara again
"Well I don't think it's just Harry but he seems to be a catalyst for getting other lifeguards to put doubt in their minds about you. I would say... confirm that he is talking about you then confront him about it" Lara said as she passed me the coffee a second time.
I accepted and started to drink it. It was same as the other day, crappy coffee. But even crappy coffee can be gold, given at the right time. It was poor quality but after today it tasted marginally better than yesterday. Lara smiled and then grabbed my hand. Holding it. She gave me a sincere look.
"Oh and Jay, bad days don't always stay bad, they can become good. It's a matter of perception, be positive. It's all in your head"
YOU ARE READING
The Lifeguard
General FictionLevi "Jay" Hart knows his a main character in a book called the lifeguard, or maybe his just going mad. Drawn into the politics at Australia's largest aquatic centre 'Water park' Levi finds that his slowly loosing his mind as management constantly p...
