I woke up several hours later to the sound of my alarm going off, letting me know it was time to get ready for work. I let out an involuntary groan as I felt the pain in my chest from coughing so much through the night. This cold definitely wasn’t going away any time soon like I hoped. Hell, I felt like it was going to kill me in the end.
I stood up and walked into the bathroom groggily and stumbled around, trying to find the light switch. As soon as I snapped the light on I glanced at my reflection in the mirror and was instantly taken aback why what I saw.
I was still looking quite pale but my cheeks were flushed slightly, indicating that I was probably running a fever. Not to mention the dark circles starting to form under my eyes. So now I’m conflicted on the whole work situation. Do I suck it up and go or call in sick? I may have been more willing to call in on any other day but this was a twelve hour shift and I needed it bad.
So I toughed it out and got ready for work. I thought maybe if I got moving enough I wouldn’t feel as bad. Not likely, but I held on to the thought nonetheless.
I checked my phone as I headed towards the door and noted that I had about an hour and a half to walk to work. Should be plenty of time even if I was slowed down a bit this morning. I also noticed I had a text from Jess which was sent at five in the morning.
‘Hey babe, let me know how you’re feeling this morning. You weren’t looking very well when I dropped you off xx’
I smiled automatically at the text as I was making my way down the street. It was odd to me how Jess could make my day seem a bit better just by checking on me. I typed out my reply quickly seeing as it was still freezing out and my fingers were already starting to feel slightly numb.
‘Hey Jess. I’m feeling all right. I’m on my way to work now but I’ll see you later’
I felt like I was lying to Jess by telling her I was fine but there was no point in telling her I felt like death was upon me when all it would do is cause her to worry. I shoved my phone in my coat pocket and wrapped my arms tightly around myself as I continued the long walk to the restaurant.
By the time I made it to work I felt like I was going to collapse. I barely made it with five minutes to spare and just as I finished tying my hair back I turned to see Travis standing behind me. He had his arms crossed and he looked me up and down before he finally spoke.
“Why are you here?”
“Erm, I work today?” I said as I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion.
“No offense, but you look horrible, Elena. Have you even been to the doctor?” he asked.
“No, I’m fine. Honest,” I lied.
Travis only shook his head at me and handed my coat back to me which I had hung up only moments before. I looked at him in disbelief.
“I’m sending you home. You should have called in sick.”
“No please, don’t make me go home,” I pleaded. “Please. I need the money,” I admitted pitifully as I looked down, almost ashamed to say it out loud.
I heard him sigh and I looked up, thinking for a moment that I had won and he would let me work today.
“Look,” he started, his voice gentling slightly. “You’re the best employee I’ve had in a long time, and I mean that, Elena. But I’m not going to let you work in your condition, especially twelve hours!
“Now, I don’t normally do this but I’m paying for a taxi to take you home right now and I’m giving you the week off….with pay.”
I shook my head furiously at this. There was no way I could accept that.
