CHAPTER 28

That night, I couldn't sleep. I wanted to call Allan and ask him what happened, but I didn't. It was self-explanatory. 

Mr. Callavan didn't have a habit of sleep-talking, so when he started talking in the middle of the night, my ears were wide open. I'd like to see that moment as extraordinary.

"Jenny.", he called.

I got up and walked to his bed. I expected to find his eyes open, but they were shut, and when he wasn't talking, he was snoring. He said a bunch of pointless things. When I finally gave up and turned around to go back to the couch, he called my name again.

"Jenny.",

I looked at him.

"I know it's hard.", he said.

That sentence alone was like a warm hug. I instantly got teary-eyed.

"One day you're going to be a very big person, whether economically, socially or politically. You'll stand in front of a crowd, and once that happens, I'll be standing right behind you.".

I remember going back to the sofa and began weeping all my sorrows out. I cried quietly, but bitterly and as soon as I was done, it felt like a huge load was lifted off my shoulder. I understood what I had to do.

…

Gillian came in the morning. I'm sure something huge was stuck in her chest and she couldn't wait to say just anything to make me miserable.

"At first, I was uncertain, but now, I'm sure. You and Allan are having an affair.", she said, "I don't know what you gave him, but I can't let someone so small destroy everything I built.".

"I know where you're going with this, Gillian, but let me stop you right there. There's nothing going on between me and Allan. All I did ever since I came here was assist Mr. Callavan whole-heartedly.", I said, "There were many things you promised me before I started this job, and so far, none of those promises were fulfilled. All you did was make me miserable every chance you got.". I told her, with confidence from the unknown.

"I'm the most understanding boss _",

"You unfairly deducted my pay; you told Vicky that I had an affair with Allan and almost destroyed their marriage. I worked alone for months, and I never complained, although I never received that bonus you promised. And now, with whatever that happened, you're trying to pin the blame on me. Well, let me save you some time; Thank you for offering me this job 11 months ago. I'll always be grateful. But that story ends here. My bags are already packed. I'll leave this weekend. It'll be December so I expect my November pay in full.",

Honestly, she did say a couple of more mean words to me, words intended to pierce my heart, but I already had an imaginary bullet proof vest. Her words bounced and fell, I didn't invite anything in. 

Allan came on Friday after Gillian told him of my departure plans. 

"Is it true? Are you leaving?", he asked, wounded.

"I am.", I answered with a smile on my face.

"But we need you. My dad needs you.",

"I know, but I don't think I can work here any longer.".

"What if we pay you $4,000 a month? I'm ready to do that for you.", he sounded desperate. But.

"Tempting, but I'm fine. You'll find a new aide better than me.".

He was hurt, I could see it. But my mind was already made.

"At least allow me to escort you to the airport.", he offered.

"Okay.", I nodded.

…

Saying goodbye to Mr. Callavan was and still is one of the hardest things I've ever done. If only I knew he'd die in the coming 6 months, I'd have hugged him even longer. He cried in my arms, and it broke my heart. Allan took me to the airport, and it was a very quiet ride. I kept wiping my tears every minute and he said nothing. He knew I needed some quiet.

When we arrived at the airport, his head was lowered.

"It was never my intention for this to happen. You're a very special person, Jenara, and you deserved so much more from this, but we couldn't do that for you.", he said regretfully.

"I'm still very grateful.".

He put his hand in his blazer and took out a small envelope. He put it on my lap.

"Dad wanted you to have that. Don't refuse. It means so much to him.", he said.

I knew what it was already, and I took it. We said our last goodbyes and I walked into the airport.

While waiting for my flight, I opened the envelope and found cash. I counted it and it was $5,000. I would have jumped up and down with joy, but that day was too gloomy for that.

The biggest lesson I've learnt from that chapter was that race has nothing to do with personality. It was in an Arabian restaurant that I experienced my first racism, but it was Mr. Callavan, an Iranian man, who showed me real love and care in this country. No stranger, not even my family in the USA has ever genuinely cared and loved me the way he did. It was the people with the same skin color as mine, same nationality, same language, and even a same dad as mine who stabbed me so deep and left a scar on my heart.

Rest in peace, Mr. Callavan. I'll always love you, my dear old man.

***