Page 32 of Dear Debbie

“When Ken told me I didn’t get the promotion.” He’s still looking down at his hands, unable to meet my eyes. “I threatened to quit, and he didn’t budge. So…I did it. I quit.”

That was the last thing I expected him to say. I knew that speaking to Ken Bryant could put Cooper’s future with the company in danger, but this is not the outcome I anticipated. Cooper isn’t the sort of impulsive man who quits when he doesn’t get his way. That buzzing in the back of my head starts up again, and I feel my hands clench into fists.

“It sucks,” Cooper acknowledges. “But…I’m sure I’ll find something else.”

“Did he say why he wouldn’t promote you?” My voice is louder than it should be for this hour of the night. “He must have given you a reason!”

He flashes me a wry smile. “He said I’m not management material. And that he doesn’t need me.”

“Is he out of his mind?” I know what Cooper does at that company, and they’ll be lost without him. “Why would he say that?”

“I don’t know, but he made it clear I would never be a partner.”

This time, I snatch up a few of the fries from the bag. They’ve been sitting in the bag too long and have gone cold. I wonder how long Cooper was driving around with them.

“This is absolutely ridiculous!” I say. “You can’t let him get away with this!”

“I just want to move past it,” he says, “and find something else. This… It could be a blessing. I was never going to become a partner there, so maybe I can find something better.”

He could be right. Cooper deserves better than that job, but all I can think about is how we’re going to pay the mortgage.

“Anyway,” he adds, “we’ve got your salary from Dear Debbie to tide us over until I find something new.”

Oh right, I never told Cooper that I got fired. Today was not a great day for the Mullen family.

I open my mouth to share this little revelation, but I can’t make myself do it. Cooper looks miserable enough, and I can’t bring myself to drop one more thing on him right now.

He’ll look for a job, and I’ll look for a job. Between the two of us, we’ll find something. We’ll be okay.

“Ken made a huge mistake.” I reach to take both of his hands in mine. “You’re his best employee.”

Cooper just shrugs sadly. “Maybe.”

“You are,” I insist. “Trust me, Ken Bryant is going to regret letting you go. Deeply.”

Cooper seems a bit skeptical, but I know what I’m talking about. Sooner than he thinks, Ken is going to be sorry for what he’s done.

24

FROM DEAR DEBBIE DRAFTS FILE

Dear Debbie,

Debbie, I am exhausted! My husband snores like a dang chainsaw! I swear, I haven’t had one full night of sleep since the day we said, “I do”! Every night, it’s the same deal. He falls asleep in two seconds flat, and that’s when the gosh darned racket starts. I have to lie awake and listen to what sounds like a grizzly bear giving birth right next to me!

I’ve tried it all! Earplugs, giving him a little nudge (or not so little shove), and nothing works! If I don’t figure out what to do soon, I’m going to have to pack up and sleep in the bathtub! Do you have any advice to save my sanity?

Sleepless in Hingham

Dear Sleepless,

Snoring is a very common problem in adults, especially men. It’s been estimated that one-quarter of all people snore on a regular basis! And of course, it’s a big problem for the partners they sleep with.

There are several things your husband could do to reduce his snoring. Regular exercise and reduced alcohol intake can help with snoring. Weight loss can also be helpful. Also, side sleeping is less likely to result in snoring, so if your husband sleeps on his back, tell him to roll over!

If none of that works or your husband doesn’t want to do anything to reduce his snoring, there’s a little trick that’s 100 percent effective:

The next time your husband wakes you up from his snoring, take your pillow off the bed, and hold it over his face. Then with your hands, apply medium to firm pressure over the center of the pillow. The noise level may briefly intensify, but I guarantee that within five minutes, the snoring will have stopped. Permanently.