It wasn’t.
His Hours Suddenly Disappeared
Over the next two weeks, Marcus noticed something strange.
His scheduled hours dropped.
Then they dropped again.
The routes he normally received were suddenly being given to other drivers.
When Marcus asked Victor about it, his supervisor simply said there were fewer routes available.
Marcus knew that wasn’t the whole story.
At home, the situation became increasingly stressful.
One evening, Marcus and Sarah sat at their kitchen table going through their monthly expenses.
Their daughter’s braces weren’t optional.
Neither were their mortgage, groceries, utilities, or other bills.
Marcus finally told Sarah everything.
He showed her the warning.
He even showed her Victor’s message.
Sarah listened quietly.
“I know why you’re worried,” she said.
“I’d make the same stop again,” Marcus replied. “But I don’t know what we’ll do if he keeps cutting my hours.”
Sarah reached across the table and took his hand.
“We’ll figure it out.”
Marcus looked at her.
“You’re not angry?”
“No.”
She squeezed his hand.
“You helped a family when they needed someone.”
Marcus nodded.
He still wasn’t sure how everything would work out.
Then, exactly two weeks after the storm, his phone rang.
It was Victor.
“Come to my office when you finish your shift.”
Marcus had no idea what was waiting for him.
He walked into the office expecting another warning.
Instead, he stopped in the doorway.
Someone was already sitting across from Victor’s desk.
Marcus recognized him immediately.
It was Julian Hayes.
The father from the storm.
The same man Marcus had stopped for two weeks earlier.
Julian stood up.
For several seconds, neither man said anything.
Then Julian smiled.
“Marcus,” he said.
Marcus looked from Julian to Victor.
“What is this?”
