Chapter 9 - Derek
Derek Whitfield lost his job.
It wasn't a surprise. MedLine had been looking for a reason since the video went viral. The criminal record was just the final straw.
He was sitting in his apartment—the small one he'd rented after Karen kicked him out—when the HR director called.
"Effective immediately."
"I understand."
"You'll receive severance. But we'll need you to sign a separation agreement."
"Of course."
He hung up. He looked at Baxter.
"Well, buddy," he said. "Looks like it's just us."
The dog wagged his tail.
The custody hearing was scheduled for June.
Derek's lawyer had told him to be prepared. To show remorse. To demonstrate that he was working on himself.
He'd been attending anger management. He'd been doing community service—picking up trash on the highway, working at a food bank. It was humiliating. It was necessary.
He didn't know if it was working.
One night, he found himself outside the hotel.
Not The Whitmore. A different one. Smaller. He was there for a job interview—a management position at a budget chain. He didn't get it.
He sat in his car in the parking lot and thought about the last time he'd been in a hotel lobby.
He thought about the video. The way he'd looked. The way she'd fallen.
He thought about her face.
He thought about his kids.
May you like
He started the car.
He drove home.
