“Laid off?” Mom exclaimed.

“Laid off?” My dad repeated the question. He sounded a lot clearer now, like my mom had put the call on speaker and he was now hovered over the phone with her.

“That’s right. I’m currently unemployed, and I needed to get away.” Would saying those words ever get easier? They made me feel like a failure every single time. Even after a week, the wound still felt fresh.

“I can’t believe they did that to you. You were the best that company had,” my dad said gruffly.

My heart swelled a little at his words. He didn’t even really understand what I did, but I appreciated the sentiment nonetheless.

“They said it was a reduction in workforce. It wasn’t just me. Almost everyone on my team got cut.” Almost everyone. They’d kept on two people who were more senior than me and then another guy who’d started the same time as me. That bothered me to no end. He wasn’t a hard worker, but he was a kiss-ass. The pitying way he’d said, “Stay in touch,” while I packed my stuff made me want to wring his neck.

“Oh, sweetie, I’m so sorry.” I could picture my mom’s face—eyebrows wrinkled together, a look of concern in her eyes.

“It’s alright. I’m already applying to other jobs. I’ll find something soon.” The confident statement wasn’t quite how I felt, but fake it ‘til you make it, right?

“Are you okay on money?” my dad asked. Of course that would be his first concern. Ever the responsible one.

“I’m fine. They gave me one month’s severance, plus I have savings.”

“I hate the idea of you digging into your savings,” my dad said.

I rolled my eyes at Mattie, but she shrugged.

“And she can help out at the lodge while she’s here,” Mattie piped in.

“I’m not that desperate,” I said, hating the idea of a handout.

“We’re busy and we really could use the help.” Mattie shot me a pleading look. I still couldn’t tell if she was being sincere or if she just wanted me to do something other than wallow in her basement.

“Well, I think that sounds great, Frankie.” My mom had switched her tone to one of encouragement instead of concern. “I’m glad you girls are spending time together. You’ve got a good plan, and everything will work out, right, Ron?”

My dad grumbled something under his breath. I could practically picture my mom elbowing him in the ribs. “Right. Right,” he finally said.

“We have to go, but we’ll catch up soon,” my mom said. “You two enjoy each other.”

“Love you,” Mattie said, leaning over to speak into the phone.

“Love you,” I said, before hanging up.

“See, was that so bad?”

“You didn’t have to ambush me like that.” I tossed her phone at her and she scrambled to catch it.

“You would have put it off for way too long. Now it’s over.”

I had to give her that. I did tend to put off uncomfortable conversations. But she did the same thing. Truly two birds of a feather.