A Side Note: Too Much to Think About

I shouldn't complain, to tell you the truth.

I was raised in a suburb in a great family with parents who have been married for twenty-five years and still hold each other's hands and go on dates. We've always had a good income, had a nice home, more often then not filled with children's laughter and the bark of a whole pack of dogs. I went to the best school in the area, then proceeded to college, earned a degree. My parents allowed me to live at home through this. Although tensions ran a little high at times, I've always loved my parents and always will. I have two brothers, one of whom is a nice guy (albeit a little selfish, but then again, who isn't?) and the other is hilarious, and a good kid. I love them both dearly as well, and, while we've argued and battled between us, as all good siblings do, I wouldn't trade them for anything.

However, there always seems to be something.

I recently moved north, trying my hardest to get closer to Philly once again. I'd give both feet to move back there (like anyone accepts feet as currency anyway), and I liked the thought of being three hours closer to it then I was before.

I love my housemates, my room here (although, sometimes, I wish I lived alone; they can be loud sometimes when I'm trying to sleep), for the most part the town I live in as well. I watch hockey whenever I'm able, and, although the Flyers aren't so hot right now, I still enjoy the game. I live for moments like RJ Umburger's goal this evening, when the Philly fans shout out in chorus and raise up from their seats.

I like my job as well; it's informal, and I'm allowed to leave whenever I want. I left today to go try out some bowling balls down at Storm's Demo Day at the local bowling alley, and my boss didn't care. He orders me lunch sometimes, and buys me coffee almost everyday. I'm allowed to wear jeans and a t-shirt (or whatever I want).

However, he refuses to offer me full-time employee status, usually keeping me down to 39.5 hours a week. I have two jobs, so I didn't mind so much not being able to be full-time; my other job has health insurance, so I'm pretty well off.

Today, he stood in the back with the franchise manager. I don't think he knew I could hear him, but I could, and I did. He began to talk about selling the shop and consolidating the two shops he has down to just one. That one is almost an hour south.

He never said anything to me, just something about it to everyone else. And I would be the most effected by it. No one else works there but me and him.

I'm not hoping he'd ask for my opinion on it; I'm more worried about how much warning he's thinking of giving me before he "consolidates." Will he throw me out, or give me the opportunity to move with him to the other shop? Will I want to move? I don't know anyone down there; that whole city is foreign territory to me. I'd be hours from everyone. Don't I want to move North, not South? Could I move back in with my parents? Would they let me? They're thinking of moving themselves soon, once my little brother gets out of college. Would I want to return to Richmond? Could I find another job here in time to keep my apartment? Is this merger plan going to move forward anytime soon?

What will happen to me if he just fires me?

I wish there was someone to answer all these questions.

Mina

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Last Side Note: May 12, 2008

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