Friday morning Conor arrived early to work at Jackson's. Mr. Matthew's office door was open, so he knocked gently, "Mr. Matthews, do you have a minute?"
"Yes, Conor, come on in. What's on your mind?"
"This is a tough thing to ask as I know I have only worked here a short while. Is there any chance at the end of the shift you could pay me for this week's work? The end of month bills are due and I am still a bit short."
"I see. Well, you have been working hard Conor, and its money you have earned. You also made a decent sale on your first day! See me after the shift and I will have your hours calculated then."
"Thank you, Mr. Matthews"
Conor paced most of the shift, constantly checking the clocks between every load he moved to the docks.
"Chill man, you are going to wear a hole in the floor," chuckled supervisor Jerry.
"Sorry, a lot going on at home. Just anxious"
"I get it, kid. Relationship, or money?"
"Both?"
"Ha, yea it's normally both. Normally money leads to relationship issues if there are no issues on their own. Been there, so I get it. But pacin' ain't gonna fix it. Mr. Matthews going to give you your pay this week instead of next?"
"Hopefully."
"He is a good man like that. He is not one to give advances or anything but if you have put in the time and earned your keep, he is good to pay you a week at a time when that is what keeps us afloat. Just know he expects you to use this chance to improve yourself so you don't need it in the future."
"I know... I just need a few more months and my other work should be doing better."
"Other work? What else are you cooking in that head of yours?"
"Oh, I have a few investments."
"Well don't forget old Jerry when you become a millionaire." They both chuckled.
When the clock finally struck three, Conor made his way back to Mr. Matthews' office.
"Ah, Conor, are you heading home?"
"I just clocked out sir."
"Fine, well you are in luck, I do have some cash for you. With your work this week, plus the bonus commission from that sale, here are 500 copper dragons. I hope it gets you through your bills."
"It will be a huge help. Thank you, Mr. Matthews. I will see you on Monday!"
Conor started for home, but took his time walking, pulling up his account on his phone, and adding up all the cash he had earned. 3100 dragons plus this 500 dragons.... 3600 dragons.... Still short of Jessica's 4000... 'surely if that is our total bills, her salary will cover the rest, right?'
He nervously played with his phone as he walked home constantly punching in the number for Mr. Nuri's office, and then deleting it again. Finally, he gave in and called.
"Hello, Dreadnaught Law Firm, how may I direct your call?"
"Umm, Is Mr. Nuri in? I thought this was his number..."
"Mr. Nuri is out on an urgent matter, but one of his team may be able to assist."
"umm, maybe Miss. Abby Wiess?"
"One moment."
When the line transferred, a soft voice said, "Hello, this is Abby Wiess"
"Hi, Abby. It's Connor Brantley."
"Mr. Brantley! What can I do for you?"
"Umm, earlier in the week, I had asked Mr. Nuri if maybe he could help free up some funds, there isn't any chance that happened is there?"
"I am sorry Mr. Brantley! I talked to Mr. Arroz and made sure that the current earnings from the spice investments could be made directly to you. Your other investments can pay out additional income by next week."
"Oh. Ok. Thank you."
"Mr. Brantley? Are you still short? I can see if... I mean... how much are you needing?"
"About 500 copper dragons."
"I see. I might be able to spot you the money myself. Mr. Nuri hasn't authorized me to use any of the corporate accounts for this..."
"No, I don't want you to get in trouble Abby. I will figure it out. You said more of the investments will be paying out next week?"
"Yes indeed! I can call you Monday with estimated monthly figures if that would be helpful! Right now the conservative figure should be at least 1500 copper dragons a month, but likely double that."
"Thank you, Abby. That would be very helpful. Have a good weekend."
"You as well, Mr. Brantley."
Conor cautiously made his way up to the apartment, still worried about not having the full amount Jessica had asked for. He opened the door and instantly slumped when he saw Cynthia there heatedly talking with Jessica.
"Ask him then! Does he have the money to cover your rent? Can he pay the utility bills? What about the bill to repair your car? Does he have enough for a car for himself yet? ASK HIM, Jessica!"
Jessica looked shellshocked at the accusations her mother had hurtled at Conor, and he couldn't even begin to guess what poison his mother-in-law had been feeding her while he was out today. He waited cautiously as Jessica built up her courage and finally asked him, "Conor, I told you we needed 4,000 to pay bills this month. Were you able to get it?"
Conor sighed heavily as he looked at his wife, "Jess, we should be able to make it this month. With what I made and your salary from the mall, it shouldn't be a problem."
"NO! SEE!" Screeched Cynthia waving her hands, "I told you he would bring up excuses! You told HIM to come up with 4000 dragons, not to need you to supply the money! He couldn't even supply you with a month worth of bills! What kind of life is that!"
"MOTHER! Please! Let him explain!" Jessica demanded, turning her gaze back to Conor. While he searched for passion, patience or even a small glimmer of grace, all he really saw from her was a weighing of scales.
"I earned 3500 this month. I have investments that will earn even more next month. Jess, I just need a little more time. Things are in motion and are growing every day! I went from unemployed a few months ago to having several jobs, and investments now! We are so close!"
"See! He is hiding money! If he has money for investments, he should have money for rent!"
"Cynthia, I have money for rent! The two of us both work and between the two of us, our bills are covered, or have you taken your daughter's income away from her again in some demented name of 'safekeeping?'" snapped Conor. "You know our situation, yet you are the one who insists she needs to go shopping with your rich friends and spend money on all of your meals. For what? To curry favor? What have those hags ever done for our family? How have they ever helped the mall, or paid the bills?"
SLAP!
Conor felt his head nearly disconnect from his shoulders as his body spun with the force of the slap. He lost his balance and nearly smashed his head into the small kitchen table.
"What the hell woman?" he spat at Cynthia.
"Don't you dare talk to me like that in my house!"
"It's not your house, bitch!"
SLAP! This time Conor stumbled to the left as Jessica slapped him.
"Don't you DARE yell at my mother like that, and don't you DARE call her a bitch! I told you, 4000 dragons or we are done Conor. That was the deal."
Conor shook his head trying to collect his muddled thoughts. "Jess, we have the money. With your income, we are well over 4000 dragons. If me bringing another 500 means that much, I will get it... I can call someone... just give me a chance."
"I gave you chances Conor! I gave you many chances! My father gave you chances! Do you know what you did with that chance? You sold drugs and got arrested! You didn't want to tell me about that one, did you? And now you want to call my mother a bitch? You are out of chances Conor!"
"Arrested? What? No! Jess! Who told you that? It was a big mistake! I was innocent!"
"Mistake! The Mistake was marrying you! GET OUT! You can sleep on the street tonight!"
When Conor tried to protest, Jess reached for a pan from the stove. At the sight of the raised pan, Conor fled into the night.