The 50/50 Vaccine

Chapter 2

It’s been two months since I was laid off, and the severance package still hasn’t kicked in leaving me with pennies to my name. I’ve applied everywhere that is hiring. Several turned me away saying I was too qualified for the job, and no matter how much I pleaded explaining that I don’t care I just need the job, they still said no. I have bills coming in, and I’m falling behind on my payments. I like to pay them as soon as they come in to avoid late fees, but at this rate, it’s not looking good.

Doug seems more distant than before with me. I know my financial situation is adding stress to our relationship, but after six years together, I never imagined him pulling away from me like he’s been. I’ve even applied for cashier jobs at the local supermarket, the gas station, everywhere and no one has hired me. This is a living nightmare.

I stopped watching the news because it’s becoming more and more depressing to see the chaos and hatred that’s happening in the world. I feel so depressed and defeated, but without a job, I have no medical coverage meaning I can’t even go see a doctor for help. I hate this feeling, it’s like I’m drowning with no hope of help.

I had another in-person interview for a company that is over two hours away from my home, but it’s something. I’m hoping I’m going to get something, anything will help at this point. The interview seemed to go well, which has me hopeful that things are starting to look up for me.

Halfway home, my car starts to sputter and make strange noises. “No, no, no. This can’t be good.” I cry out as I pull the car to the side of the road. I barely get it off the road when it completely dies. “Come on, you can’t do this to me now.” I try the key but nothing happens. With a loud sigh and a groan, I get out of the car and pop the hood to see if anything is smoking. I have a full tank of gas, so I know it has nothing to do with the gas. Of all the things, my only transportation decides to die on me. I called my insurance for roadside assistance, only to be informed that because I’m two months behind on my insurance payments they will have to charge me for the assistance. I agree knowing that it’ll be just another bill I can’t pay because of the layoff.

An hour later I see the tow truck pull up, the man gets out takes a look at my car, and shakes his head. “You should get this to a garage. It looks like it’s a problem in the engine. Probably the alternator or it could be a gasket. Either way, it’ll need to be fixed before the car will run again.” He informs me.

“Right,” I mutter as I climb into the tow truck while he hooks my car up to be towed. Just another bill that I can’t afford to pay right now. When he gets back in the car I tell him which auto repair shop to bring it to, and he drives. Please let it be something simple and cheap to fix, I’m not sure how much more I can take of this.

He drops me off at the repair shop with my car, I speak to one of the workers, leave my phone number, and then walk the two miles home. When I get home, I’m exhausted. I take a shower and pull on my comfy clothes before sitting down on the sofa to rest my feet after walking two miles in heels. I never thought I’d be walking home which is why I dressed for an interview not walking.

Just as Doug enters, my phone rings. “Hello?” I answer when I see it’s the auto repair shop.

“Yes, can I speak to Mandy Greene?”

“Speaking.”

“Miss Greene, I’m calling about your car. I’m sorry to tell you that there is more than one issue wrong with the car. The biggest issue was that you blew a gasket in the engine. Which leads to oil getting into your antifreeze. To fix it it’ll be upwards of $2,500 because we have to take the entire engine apart, fix the part, clean the engine pieces, then rebuild the engine, plus labor.” The mechanic explained.

“I understand. Can I call you tomorrow and let you know my decision?” I ask feeling like I’m about to ball my eyes out.

“Certainly.” I hang up the phone and drop my head in my hands.

“What’s going on?” Doug asked me cautiously. “If that was about a job, you shouldn’t wait to make a decision.”

“It’s about my car. I broke down on my way home today. That was the mechanic telling me it is going to cost more than $2,500 to fix. I’m not even sure the car is worth that kind of money with it being over ten years old. Just another bill that I can’t pay. I wish the severance check would come in already. I’m not sure how much more I can take of this. I have nothing left. I gave my last $500 to you for rent, and I can’t do anything more.” I confess. “It’s not like I’m not trying to get a job. It’s just that I’m not having luck getting hired. I’m either too overqualified, and they turn me down, or not qualified enough. Even the simple cashier jobs go with younger people over me as they can’t offer more than 30 hours a week.”

“I don’t know what else to say, I hate seeing you stressed out so much, Mandy. Have you called your former supervisor about the severance check?”

“I have, and the CEO isn’t answering Mike’s calls. No one has gotten their severance packages. It’s absurd.” I state.

“We can start filing paperwork about it, as long as Mike has the email telling him about the severance packages and the reasoning why the company closed down, they will have to honor it.”

“I’m not sure if there was an email or memo about it. Mike got a phone call and was told to vacate the building by two pm that day. I only know what was told to us, but I can’t go on much longer feeling like I’m drowning in debt. I owe $5,000 in bills for the past two months as it is. Now my car s**t the bed leaving me with even more money to pile onto the debt.”

“If Mike failed to get anything in writing, it’s safe to say they are not holding up their promises and there is no legal action that can be done about it. Yes, you could try to sue for the layoff without warning, but that will take time and money. None of which you have, and I bet the company was banking on that.” Doug stated, before disappearing into the bedroom. I can’t help but be hurt by the bitter tone he had in telling me that I have neither time nor money. This distance between us is not helping my mental health.

I fear it has come to the point where I’m desperate enough to take a chance. If I die, I doubt Doug will miss me, and I have no family so it’s not a huge loss. If I live I’ll have $250,000 more than I do right now. I know it’s only a matter of time before Doug tells me I need to move out, so I’m left with limited options to get out of debt before it becomes too cumbersome.

As the day slowly draws to an end, the sinking feeling in my stomach hasn’t gone away. Doug went to bed on the earlier side, leaving me sitting alone in silence with only my thoughts for company. The more I sit, the more I dwell on everything good in my life falling apart because some stupid company created a vaccine and there’s too much hatred in this world for people to just mind their own damn business. The vaccine, only real risk or con to getting it, is I may die. All those pros are beginning to outweigh the off chance that I could die. Pro: I’ll get $250,000, and be immune to all illnesses except cancer. No more colds, no more fear of contracting some airborne illness, and no more stress about missing work due to an unplanned illness. I’m not really seeing any major con except the 50% chance of me dying. I’m a pretty healthy person, and I take good care of my body, plus I’m young, and I’m thinking my odds of dying from this vaccine are lower than most.

With a heavy heart, I pull out some paper and sit down to write Doug a note telling him what I’ve decided and why. I’m not someone who’s going to just leave in the middle of the night without warning or reason, so I feel the need to tell him. I owe him this much after being with him for six years and living together for four.

Doug,

There’s no easy way to tell you this, so I’m putting it in writing. By the time you read this, I’ve already gone to Greenway Industries. I never thought I’d get to a point where the risk of dying didn’t seem more scary than the possible rewards if one survives the vaccine, but here we are. I can’t keep going in doubt, I know it’s putting a strain on our relationship more than either of us wants to admit.

So, if I die, please know I love you with all my heart and I want nothing but the best for you. You deserve happiness, even if it’s not with me. If I survive, I’ll see you in a few weeks, and we can talk then. Take care, Doug.

I love you,

Mandy

I set the note aside, then go into the bedroom and pack a small duffle bag with clothing and my bathroom supplies, before heading out. I’m hoping the protesting crowd isn’t around, and I can get in line before it gets crazy. Considering I need to walk there, I know I’ll need at least an hour. I should arrive there around 3 in the morning and can wait until they open.