One Enchanted Summer

Chapter 12

CHAPTER

TWELVE

Grayson

Quinn and I have been keeping things pretty casual the last month. We’ve spent a ton of time together. I love being with her, but we haven’t really discussed a future. I know she’s not planning on staying, so I haven’t wanted to bring up that conversation. It’s been more of a fun fling kind of thing. She met Mikey the first time we talked at the restaurant and then a few times after the show, but it was never a formal introduction. I’ve met Tatum, but I haven’t met Gertie yet. The truth hit me the other night I walked her to the door and Quinn actually checked to make sure Gertie wasn’t watching us. She joked about not wanting me to have to deal with Gertie, but after she closed the door I felt a pit in my stomach. I want to deal with Gertie. I want Quinn to want that too. That realization opened it all up for me. There was no more denying it. My feelings aren’t just a summer fling. I’m in deep with her. I just really hope she feels the same.

Today is going to be a bad day. I have to fire Justin. There are strict rules when it comes to the park. World of Enchantment likes to keep the magic alive and that means very strict guidelines on what is and isn’t allowed backstage. The biggest one is pictures, specifically posting a photo taken backstage. They are a little less strict with our show because we are already showing our faces during the performance but it still can come back on the park in a light they don’t want. Unfortunately, Justin was saying some choice words on a video that he posted from backstage. I know he was just goofing around and trying to be funny. But somehow upper management saw the footage and they were less than pleased. His conduct was inappropriate and does not align with the park’s values. At least, that’s what I’m supposed to tell him when I fire him. Justin and I are friendly. We’ve never hung out outside of work, but we’ve spent a lot of breaks together playing games and working out. This job really gives a lot of opportunities to bond with each other and I like the guy. I really wish I didn’t have to fire him.

“Hey man! How’re you doing?” Justin asks when I walk into the break room.

I groan quietly and mutter under my breath, “Better than you…”

“Huh?” he asks.

“Nothing, I’m good. You got a second to chat?”

I hate myself as we sit down together. It’s his fault, he should have been more responsible, he knows the rules. I try to remind myself of these things but it doesn’t make me feel much better.

“I’m going to cut right to the chase. Management saw the video you posted backstage and are unhappy with the way you represented yourself while in costume and backstage. You know they don’t have any patience for that kind of thing. The rules are clear. So unfortunately, they told me I needed to let you go,” I try my best to sound kind but also professional.

Justin looks shocked. He stares at me for a minute as if he’s trying to decide if I’m joking. He glances around the room and then back at me. “Are you serious?”

“Yes. I’m sorry.”

“I don’t even get a warning? Can’t I get another chance?”

I sigh. I worried this would happen. I thought he might try to bargain and want to stay, but I don’t have the power to make that choice. Apparently I can fire someone but I’m not actually allowed to decide anything. I’m just their lackey.

“I don’t have the authority to decide that. I wish I did. But they told me to remind you that you were told these rules from day one,” I repeat what they told me.

He shakes his head in disbelief. “This sucks, man!”

“I know.”

“It was one stupid video!”

“I know.” He really should’ve known better.

“So I’m just done?” Justin asks. “Do I get to work today?”

“No.”

“Wow. Just like that, huh?”

“Yeah. I’m sorry man. I’m sure you’ll find another job. You’re talented.” I mean that, he really is good, but I also know he’s not getting another job at the park. Being fired from this show means he’s fired from the whole park. It’s all one company, so he’s officially no longer a World of Enchantment employee.

I try to stay focused the rest of the day, but my heart just isn’t in it. I hated the way I had to start the day. When I’m done at the WOE show I have to go straight over to Pirates. I eat on the way and pull into the show with just a few minutes to get dressed and ready. I’m dragging physically and trying to fake it. That’s the whole point of my job. I act. But today is feeling harder to do that. I guess that’s why I mess up. I’m usually on top of it all. I know what to do, where to be and I can expect any mistake that might happen. And yet, during one of the scenes, I’m supposed to pull a rope and I mess up. I slip and the rope wraps around my forearm and yanks me up, burning my skin with the rope. It’s an instant searing pain through my whole arm.

I bite my tongue to keep myself from screaming. The purple pirate notices and quickly comes to help detangle my arm from the rope. My skin is on fire and I look down to see red welts and blisters starting to form on my forearm and wrapping around to my bicep. I curse quietly. I struggle through the rest of the show, but I’ve never been more grateful for the end of the night before. When I get to my car, I see a text from Quinn

Gertie fell asleep early tonight. What are you doing?

I call her once I start driving. She answers on the first ring, “Hello there,” her beautiful voice trills through the phone and I feel myself relax a little.

“Hey,” I reply with a sigh.

“You okay?” she asks. I both love and hate that she can tell I’m not. As always, she’s so in tune with everyone else and concerned about their feelings. I don’t think I could hide my feelings from her even if I tried.

“It was a rough day,” I answer.

“How can I help?”

I know she means it. A lot of people say things like that and don’t follow through, but I know she will. So I simply say, “Come over?”

“Be right there.”