Ups and downs

Eventually, you **** yourself out of bed. The breakfast is worth it, as always. After a pleasant morning, you say goodbye to the girls, and head off to work, as they prepare for another day at the cafe. You’re in such a good mood, you doubt anything can bring you down.

Of course, when you arrive at the job site, there’s something that changes your mind immediately. When you get out of your car, you see your boss waiting for you at the gate. Never a good sign.

As you approach, he gives you a sour look. “There you are, Brian. Come with me.”

As always, there’s no discussion with the ornery old man, and he leads you to the office trailer next to the job site. He takes a seat behind the desk, gesturing for you to sit as well.

“It seems like you didn’t listen to me last time we had a conversation. You know our stance on these…creatures. And it’s come to my understanding that you’re involved in this weird fetish cafe?”

You shake your head. “It’s not…”

He interrupts you immediately. “I don’t care. Now, I can’t fire you over that. So it’s irrelevant.”

He gives you a look, and you know that’s not true. Hell, Dave warned you weeks ago. Your boss continues. “Unfortunately, it seems that all these extracurricular activities have distracted you from maintaining the kind of work quality we expect from our employees.”

You sigh. “I see. I don’t suppose you’ll give me a chance to correct this?”

He shakes his head. “No. We’re going to have to let you go for your poor performance. You can go now.”

You stand, and consider cursing the racist old man out, but you decide against it. It wouldn’t solve anything, and it certainly wouldn’t change his mind. Instead, you simply sigh, and walk out.

You walk back towards your car, and your phone buzzes. Dave sent you a message.

Sorry man, I saw the boss waiting there. I’m guessing they canned you. Sucks.

You smile, and reply. No big. With the cafe going strong, we’ll be great. Just means I get to be the housewife now.

You can practically hear the laughter in his answer. Hell yeah, man. I’ll get you a maid outfit.

You chuckle and put your phone away, though that does remind you that the girls talked about getting maid outfits. You make a mental note to check on getting those, and get in your car. The drive home helps clear your head, and by the time you get there, you’re all smiles again.

You pause when you arrive, however, when you see a strange car in your driveway. When you park, you see that it’s Lisa in the drivers seat. She grabs a bag, and hops out as you pull in. When you get out of the car, she comes over and hugs you.

“Dave told me what was happening, so I came over as quickly as I could! Are you ok?”

You chuckle. “I’m fine. A month or two ago this would have been a disaster, but it’s fine now.”

She smiles. “I’m glad. Do you want some company anyway? I know you boys are beer drinkers, but, I had this lying around.”

She pulls a bottle of wine out of the bag. You laugh. “I can’t turn down a pretty woman like you! Of course!”

Lisa laughs, and bounces on her toes to kiss your cheek. “Such a gentleman!”

You both laugh, and you lead her inside. Taking the bottle, you pour a glass for each of you. Lisa sits on the couch, and calls to you as you pour.

“Bring the bottle with you, may as well enjoy ourselves!”

You chuckle, and do as she says. Lisa pats the couch beside her, and you sit down next to her. She smiles, sipping her wine as you flip through channels, and you’re a bit surprised when she slides in closer, leaning against you. You put an arm around her, and she smiles. Nothing more is said for a while, though you startle slightly when she rests her hand on your thigh.

You wonder just how comforting she plans on being. After all, you have the house to yourselves until the girls get home. The two of you chat for a while, and before you know it, you’re both several glasses deep into the wine. Not enough to be drunk, but there’s definitely a pleasant buzz.

Lisa finishes her glass and sets it aside. “You mind if I use the bathroom?”

You laugh. “Not at all. I’m not going anywhere.”

She smiles and kisses your cheek again, and her green eyes sparkle as she walks off. You finish off your glass as well while you’re waiting, and you’re about to pour another for both of you, when you hear Lisa call from down the hallway.