I knew enough about the tone to understand that this wasn’t a question about a supply order.

I had missed shifts.

Other times, I had left early or accepted reduced hours because I couldn’t manage the whole day.

I had tried to make those adjustments sound temporary, even to myself.

Patricia offered to come.

I said yes.

In the office, the supervisor placed a thin folder on the desk.

“We haven’t been able to maintain the schedule,” she said.