Liberty and Equality Notwithstanding…

 

My guy hobbled down the hallway using his shiny new aluminum cane.  It’s kind of disconcerting to see a well-muscled, heavily tattooed, twenty-four year old man leaning on one of those little old lady canes they sell on the dark, depressing aisle of CVS.  He’s a millwright and had an accident at work last month.  He fell twenty-five feet into a pit, breaking his shoulder, his tailbone and a few other less important bits and pieces. 

He hopes to be released to return to work this Friday.  I’m thinking there is still a ways to go between wobbling and welding, but what do I know?  He’s anxious to get back to work because his workman’s comp hasn’t kicked in yet.  No income for the past month. 

My guy has skipped his AA meetings this week and claims he used the time to run around town getting assistance on rent and utility bills.  While I don’t question his need for financial assistance, I doubt he was keeping appointments with social service agencies between the hours of seven and nine in the evenings when he should’ve been at AA. 

What really makes this situation tight is that his girlfriend is pregnant.  She’s getting closer to her due date. I asked if his girlfriend was working.

“Is she helping with the bills?” was what I said.  ‘Pregnancy is not a disability, so is she up off her butt and making a contribution?’ was what I meant. 

“No, she’s real close to her due date,” he said.  “So she’s on Fraternity Leave.”

Fraternity Leave.  

Had there been a little less fraternity, there wouldn’t be a need for any leave!