Page 68 of Reclaimed Dreams

“I can see that. Why is it different from the invoice I just sent out yesterday to these clients?” Her voice rose in pitch and speed, alerting Dom to her state of mind.

“We discovered that their ductwork was bad and added it to the project this morning. That reflects the new cost.”

“Well, great. That’s just great. Now I have to call them and explain the difference.” Jo tossed her hands in the air before snatching up the offending paper again.

“That would be very helpful.”

“They’re going to think I’m an idiot who can’t do her job.”

“No, they aren’t.”

But she wasn’t hearing that.

“So scattered she can’t even get a simple invoice right…” Jo muttered on her way back to her office.

Dom thought the issue was settled, but Jo came back less than an hour later with the same look on her face. “Listen, whatever it is, we can figure it out. I’m sure it’s not that bad, Jo.”

“I quit.”

That declaration rocked him back on his heels. “What? Why? What’s the matter?”

“I’m the matter. I can’t do this anymore. I can’t pretend I’m content writing checks and shuffling papers. This isn’t how I want to spend whatever time is left to me. I’m done.” She laid the company checkbook on his desk and walked out the door, directly past the truck they had driven to work in together that morning.

Stunned, Dom rocked back in his chair and Tony peeked his head around the doorframe.

“What was all that?” Tony asked.

“Jo just quit.”

“Maybe she just needs a little break. Maybe she came back too soon.”

“I was just trying to get her off the couch. I don’t know what to do anymore. Everything I try to do seems wrong.”

“Well, just keep the lights on until she gets through it. It’ll all be okay in the end.”

Sure, Tony. It’ll all be okay. The sarcasm burned in Dom’s throat unspoken. Nothing was okay. Nothing would ever be okay again.

But he could keep things afloat until Jo came back. He’d promised to love and cherish, through better or worse. He could be her shelter until she was strong enough to face the wind. He picked up the phone.

“Fi, I need a favor.”

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