Fake Wifey

Chapter 1

Dana

“Please surrender all your ID and access cards before you leave. Today’s your last day working at this hospital,” the HR employee coldly addresses me.

My mind goes blank as I try to process her words.

What?

“Wait,” I respond. “Can you explain what you just said? What do you mean today’s my last day?”

"In much simpler terms, Ms. Dana Prentiss, it means you're fired," she says. 

“Why?” I exclaim. “I need to know the reason. This is against labor laws, you know.”

“There’ve been reports that you’re stealing medicine from the hospital. We called for an investigation, and we received the results yesterday,” she explains.

“But my side wasn’t heard,” I argue. “This is the first I’m hearing about this.”

She shrugs her shoulders.

“Well, the evidence against you is overwhelming. We’ve got all the proof that we need. Whatever you say right now will just be immaterial. So I suggest that you just accept our decision,” she reiterates.

I accept my defeat and leave the office. There’s no use arguing as all of my reasons will just fall on deaf ears.

I sit down on one of the benches in the lobby as I try to think about what happened. It takes great effort for me not to break down and cry. I don't want to create a scene.

I can’t wrap my mind around that I’m being fired. I know I didn’t do what they’re accusing me of. I don’t know who wants me out of this hospital as I don’t have any enemies, and I’m no longer interested in finding out.

I'd file a labor case if I had the time and money, but unfortunately, I don't have those resources. I'll just believe in karma and hope that whoever orchestrated this will get back what he deserves one day. 

I think about my son, James. What are we going to do now?

My son and I have been living at my in-laws' house for almost four years now. My husband died unexpectedly because of an accident, and after that, they sort of took us in. But living there has been like hell.

They’re emotionally negligent. They don’t care at all, not even about my son who’s also their flesh and blood. Sometimes I think they’re just after the money I’m contributing to the expenses.

I’m just saving enough money so that we can move out and live on our own. I know that’ll be hard but we can do it. It’s better than staying in that damned house.

Now, that dream instantly dissolves. I just hope I’ll be able to get a new job soon.

I get up from the bench and do everything that I'm required to. I surrender all hospital-owned items, then I get my clearance slip from the security department. I take one last good look at the place which I worked for the past years, and then I walk out the door. 

***

James is in our bedroom doing his homework when I arrive home. As soon as he sees me, he gives me a hug and a quick kiss on the cheek and goes back to what he's doing. 

I look at him for a few minutes. He’s the spitting image of his father. He’s the most important thing in my life today. There’s nothing that I wouldn’t do for him.

“How’s school today?” I ask him.

“It’s fine mom,” he replies while writing in his notebook. “Our teacher reminded us earlier that we need to pay for the field trip fees by the end of next week.”

Shit! I forgot about that.

I don’t know how I’ll be able to cough up money for that, but I’ve already promised James that he’s going. I just have to find another way.

“Don’t worry,” I assure him. “I’ll give you the money for payment before the deadline.”

I lie down on the bed to stretch my back. It’s been a long day.

“I’ll just rest here for a little bit,” I tell James. “Could you please wake me up when it’s time for dinner?”

“Okay,” he answers.

I drift off to a nap.

***

The entire family’s already eating at the dining table when my son and I enter the room. No one even bothered to call us, but that’s nothing new.

“It’s about time that you joined us,” my mother in law sarcastically mentions. “Were you waiting to be called? We’re not your servants, so you should know when it’s time to eat. You didn’t even help prepare dinner even though you’re already here.”

I want to argue, but I don’t want to stir drama and would rather be a good example for my son. I just ignore the comment. We sit down at the table and start to eat.

Halfway through our meal, my father-in-law looks toward my direction.

“Dana,” he says. “We need to have the washing machine repaired. It broke down this morning and it’s not an option to bring the dirty clothes to the laundromat as it costs more.”

I pause eating. 

“How much would be the cost? I don’t have any extra money right now,” I answer. “James also got school expenses which I need to pay for.”

“I don’t care,” he shouts. “Find a way. Get a loan from the hospital where you’re working or from your friends. I’m sure you’ll think of something.”

I can’t take it anymore. I lose my cool.

“I just got fired today, okay?” I shout. “I hope you understand that.”

Everyone around the table is quiet, but in their eyes, I see that they don't care about what happened to me. 

My mother-in-law speaks up.

“In that case, you must leave this house. Right now,” she insists. “You’ll just be a burden and additional expense to us. I’ll rent out the room you’re using to earn some money.”

Is she kicking us out?

I know her. Whatever she says is the law, even my father-in-law can't argue with it. So after dinner, James and I start packing our stuff. We don’t have much, so we put all our belongings into one bag.

We leave the house and not one family member raises their head or says goodbye as we pass by the door.

“Where are we going, mom? What are we going to do?” James asks me and I can see the panic in his eyes.

I hug him tightly.

I get my phone and call Tracy, my closest friend. I explain to her our current situation and ask if we can spend at least the night at her house. She agrees without any hesitation.

I grab an Uber, worrying about the dwindling bank account balance I have to use to cover the cost. After fifteen minutes, we arrive at Tracy’s door. She gives me a warm embrace and ushers us towards the guest room. I make sure James is settled down and he goes to sleep.

Tracy and I talk in the living room and in between sobs, I tell her everything that’s happened today. She consoles me.

I spot today’s newspaper and I browse through it, looking at the classified ads section. I need to find a job fast, even if it’s just temporary.

My eye catches a strange-looking advertisement. It's offered by Copper Strauss and his agent/assistant Phil. The name rings a bell, but I can't remember it right now. It doesn't say much about the job, but it promises a lucrative pay. 

I take note of the number and the address for the interview that’s to be held tomorrow. I’m grabbing this chance.

After all, I’ve got nothing to lose.