Desperate Measures: A Five-Day Reprieve
All those in the hallway stared at me, surprised by the scene. I compose myself and walk towards the bathroom. Gripping the sink, I take a deep breath with my eyes closed. I know I've crossed all limits, but I'm desperate. Then an idea comes to my mind. I check all the restroom doors and enter one, closing the door behind me.
Sitting on the toilet, my trembling hands open my purse again, and I take out the medical certificate and my pen. I smile when I see that he only filled in the number of days off, making it easier for me. I prop my phone up and carefully turn that number 1 into a five. Holding up the certificate, I inspect it to see if anyone would notice anything different.
I put everything back into my bag, flush the toilet to disguise my actions, and then walk towards the sink, washing my hands. In a few minutes, I'm already entering the waiting room where my husband and children are anxiously waiting for me. I take the certificate and hand it to Carlos, saying, "Five days."
"Wow, five days off? What's wrong with you?" my husband asks, surprised. "What do you have?"
"A viral infection," I reply, telling the truth, at least part of it.
"Wow, five days for a viral infection?" my husband comments, astonished.
"Yes, it's a tropical virus that requires this time off," I lie, picking up Marisol. "By the way, we better leave because there are many people here with it."
"Is it contagious?" Carlos asks, concerned, holding Juan in his arms and looking at Marisol in my arms.
"For children, no, but for adults..." I say, fixing my hair. "Anyway, let's go. You need to drop by the real estate office and give my medical certificate to Suarez."
"Sure," my husband confirms.
***
I sit, biting my nails inside the car while waiting for my husband who is inside the real estate office.
"Mamá, are you sick?" Juan asks, seated in his car seat.
"Yes, mamá is sick," I reply, looking at Juan.
"Mamá doesn't look sick," says Juan, incredulous.
I glance at my husband and force a dry cough, but by the look on his face, he didn't believe me much. Oh well, the important thing is for my boss to believe. The door to the real estate office opens, and my husband comes out with Suarez. They stand there talking for a while, and I am fidgeting, eager to know if everything went well. At the same time, it was better for me to stay in the car, away from Suarez's eyes, so I wouldn't have to lie even more. Then the two of them start walking towards the car, and the only thing I can think of is "crap, crap, and crap."
I grab the sunglasses stored in the glove compartment and put them on. Then I lean back against the seat pretending to be asleep. I hear a knock on my window, so I pretend to wake up and lower the window, finding the two of them there.
"Oh, Dália, how are you feeling?" asks my boss, practically sticking his face into the car.
"Not very well..." I say, feigning a sick voice. I start coughing, making my son laugh in the back. "Cough, cough, cough, I caught a viral infection."
"Yes, your husband told me. Get well soon. I'll be waiting for you all fresh and new in five days," says Suarez. "There are eager clients waiting for you."
I give him a forced smile and roll up my window again. My husband talks a bit more with my boss and then gets into the car.
"And then? Everything okay?" I ask.
"Yes, now let's take care of you."
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
