Fourteen Days(3)

No they can’t. Not without me.

Trying to ignore the temptation, he could feel the lure of the phone pulling on him like a drug, or like the desperation for chocolate. He focused on something else: what to have for lunch. But it was futile; the enticement proved too much as Richard picked up the phone and dialed the office.

Ashamed of his lack of willpower, he waited for the call to go through. After a few seconds the sound of Leah’s voice filled his ear.

“Hello. TSH. Leah speaking. How can I help you?”

“Oh, hi, Leah, it’s Richard.”

“Hi, Richard. How are you feeling?”

“Yeah, great. Thanks. Just a little hazy. Other than that, pretty good. Feel a bit stupid after yesterday. All that fuss about nothing.”

“Richard, it wasn’t ‘nothing’. You collapsed.”

“I just fainted. People faint all the time. There’s nothing to worry about.”

“The doctor seems to disagree. He said that your blood pressure was through the roof, that it was most likely stress-related. That doesn’t sound like something you should be brushing off so lightly.”

“I might have been a little stressed, but who isn’t these days?”

“Look, Richard, I understand the pressure that you’ve been putting yourself under—I really do—but what I don’t understand is why you kept it from us? I mean, over some bloody missing files? I told you it didn’t matter. It was nothing to get so worked up about. We all make mistakes. You could’ve told me you were stressed, taken some time off, instead of bottling it all up. I’ve said time and time again to take it easy. Skipping meals. All that coffee. Sooner or later something like this was bound to happen.”

“I didn’t keep anything from you. Don’t be so dramatic. It’s no big deal.”

“It is a big deal, Richard, you need to get some rest. And you shouldn’t be calling the office. We can cope fine without you.”

“Yeah, but I don’t need to be stuck here for two weeks. It’s ridiculous. I’m not sick. We’ve got too much to do. I feel like I’m being punished for something.”

“Look, Richard, don’t be so paranoid. I’m not suspending you.”

“Well, that’s what it feels like.”

“All we’re saying is for you to use up a couple of weeks of your holidays… to relax. That’s all. You haven’t used a single day since you started. It’s too much. It’s not good for you. Everyone needs a break once in a while. Recharge the batteries. Maybe take Nicky somewhere. You’re no good to me all worked up and stressed. I need you to be on top of your game. And after two weeks, you’ll feel like a new man. I’m sure of it. And then you can put all this behind you.”

Richard sighed. “I’d be less stressed if I could finish the website.”

“Look, I appreciate your concern, but David’s more than capable of finishing the website. So there’s no need to fret.”

“Jesus Christ, David? How is he meant to finish up? He doesn’t know what he’s doing. At least let me come down so I can bring him up to speed.”

“Absolutely out of the question. You need to calm down. And stop working yourself up so much. This is exactly why you need to take some time off. You’re gonna give yourself a heart attack if you’re not careful.”

“I am calm, Leah. I just need to—”

“Goodbye, Richard. I’ll speak to you in a fortnight.”

“What if I just talk to David over the phone?”

“Goodbye, Richard.”

The phone went dead. “Leah?” Richard threw the phone down on the couch in anger. “Bitch.”

He stormed into the kitchen, opened the fridge, and stared at its contents. Food, he thought. Need something to eat. Anything. He grabbed a packet of bacon and a pot of margarine, and placed them on the counter. Opening the small cupboard behind him, he reached in and pulled out two slices of white bread. Can’t beat a bacon sandwich. He popped the bread into the toaster, put the bacon into the microwave, and waited. David. What the hell does he know? Jack-shit, that’s what. I bet he’s gunning for my job. I bet he’s been having cozy little meetings with Leah. Behind my back. Jesus Christ—I bet he’s been sleeping with her. Richard chuckled as the microwave pinged. Well, who the hell cares! Not me. Let him try to take my job. See how he copes with the pressure. Doesn’t bother me one bit. I’m the one at home, chilling for two weeks, while they’re stuck in work all day, slaving in front of a computer screen.