Love Means Courage - Andrew Grey

Courage
the lights in the business office before getting everything ready for the day.
The day was busy and went unusually quickly for a Friday.
    Just before lunch, he received a call from Janelle, confirming dinner for that evening and letting him know that she’d meet him at the restaurant at six. He’d just hung up the phone when he saw the owner of the dealership standing by the door to the office. “Len, could I speak with you a minute?”
    “Sure.” He had been handing out paychecks as people stopped by, so he put the remainder in the desk drawer. He looked at Keith, the business manager, and saw the look on his face. He knew that look; he’d seen it before. Taking and releasing a deep breath, he followed the boss to his front corner office.
    “Please have a seat.” Len sat in one of the chairs and waited.
    “This is something I’ve tried to avoid.” The big man leaned forward, meeting Len’s eyes. “As you know, business hasn’t been very good the last few months, and while I’ve been hoping it would turn around, it hasn’t, and I’m afraid we’re going to have to let you go.” Len had heard those words before, and the second time hurt just as much as the first. Both times he’d been working for over a year, and both times he’d just started to fit in and make a few friends, have people to eat lunch with. “I understand.”
    “Look, Len, I’m really sorry. You’ve done good work, and this has nothing to do with your job performance.” He passed an envelope across the desk. “When business picks up, I’d be more than happy to bring you back. You’re a good worker. The envelope contains a sterling letter of recommendation and a month’s severance pay along with your week of vacation pay.” He stood up, and Len did the same. “I’m really sorry.” Len didn’t know what to do, so he did the only thing he could 32
    Andrew Grey
think of, he held out his hand. The boss shook it, and then Len left the office, going right back to his desk, where Keith was waiting. “I’m real sorry, Len.”
“Me too.”
    Keith checked his watch. “Get your things together and go home.” He opened his desk drawer and retrieved his own paycheck from the stack of envelopes.

    “Thank you for everything, Keith.” He gathered his things and quietly left the building after saying a few good-byes.

    The drive home was amazingly short, and no one was about as he pulled into the yard and parked the car. Walking into the house, he put his things on the table and sat in the small living room.
    “You’ll live. It’s happened before.” Len got up and went into the kitchen, opening the refrigerator and taking out a beer. Pulling the pull tab, he heard the familiar pop and then the carbonation took over. Lifting the cold can to his lips, he took a big gulp as he walked back into the living room and sat down with a sigh.
    The front door opened and closed, and he heard his mother come inside. “You’re going to be late for your dinner if you don’t get a move on.” Len stood up and met her in the kitchen. “I got laid off today.” He showed her the letter and told her what they’d said.
    “I’m sorry, hon. Maybe you should call Janelle and cancel.” Something inside Len bucked him up. “No. I can’t let this get me down. I made plans, and I’m going to stick to them. And on Monday, I’ll start looking for another job. I’ve been through this before, and hell, I’ll probably go through it again.” Just saying the words helped him feel better, so he put the last of the beer in the sink and went to his room to change clothes.
    33
Love Means Courage
    A half hour later, he was in his car on the way to the restaurant. Pulling into the parking lot, he noticed that Janelle had just arrived and was walking toward the door. Pushing his worries back, he steeled himself and got out of the car, meeting Janelle by the door. “You weren’t waiting, were you?” “Oh, no.” She smiled as he held the door for her. “I just got here.”

    “Good.” He took her jacket, and one of the waitresses led them to a table. The restaurant wasn’t fancy, just a small family-style restaurant, but the food was good and plentiful.
    “Hey, Janelle, Len, what can I get for you?”
“Hi, Lacy.” Len said as he looked to Janelle to let her order first. “How are things going?”
    “Not bad.” Her smile faded just a little. “I heard about your job. You’ll find something better, I know it.” Len remembered