touch as I pass by. I wait for
 
 my check but before he
 
 hands it to me, he says,
 
 I scheduled you to work on
 
 Christmas. I know you asked for it
 
 off, but Midge has seniority. She asked
 
 first. He measures my reaction, which
 
 must disappoint him. No way would
 
 I work Christmas, but I already
 
 planned to quit today. “Sorry,
 
 Kevin. You probably know I’m
 
 living in the North Valleys now, and
 
 the commute has become impossible.
 
 I was going to give two weeks’
 
 notice, but I’m not going to
 
 work Christmas Day.”
 
 His face flares, one
 
 shade lighter than purple.
 
 Damn, it’s scary! You can’t
 
 just up and quit like that. What
 
 am I supposed to do for help?
 
 He’s actually waiting
 
 for an answer.
 
 “I don’t know, Kevin.
 
 Maybe you’ll have to work
 
 it yourself. Or call up one of
 
 your little hos. I couldn’t care
 
 less. In fact, I may as well
 
 leave right now. I think
 
 it looks like snow.”