This was the worst way possible to start things off, knowing there was no hope for a full-time job in four months.
As for Evie, I’d have to find her a new preschool. It was something I hated the idea of since I’d already withdrawn her from her old one, and the waiting list to get back into it was a year long.
Frustration built up inside me as I saw Joe Walkers’s signature at the bottom of the email. His email address and phone number were listed, and I was very tempted to call him up and give him a piece of my mind.
I took a few deep breaths. That wouldn’t do. I’d probably reach Joe’s assistant, who didn’t need to hear a mouthful from me anyway.
Feeling dejected, I walked off to the women’s restroom.
Once the door closed behind me, I exhaled sharply, leaning against the door as I shut my eyes and willed myself to push through the rest of the day. I could be angry later. But right now, I just had to make it to pickup time, where my daughter’s little arms would wrap around me, grounding me in something real. Evie, with her bright eyes and endless questions. Evie, who thought I was the smartest, strongest person in the universe, even when I felt like I was barely holding it together.
And no CEO, no layoff, no corporate nonsense could take that away from me.
When I pushed off from the door, I pulled out my phone, wondering if I had any updates from Evie’s preschool. All I found was a message from my landlord.
Subject: Rental Insurance Reminder
Hi, Lexi.
Just checking in to see if you’ve had a chance to send over the rental insurance proof for your renewed lease. I’m also sending a quick reminder that next month’s rent is due in three days.
Thanks!
Marvin Jones
My stomach clenched. Were we really due for next month’s rent payment already?
I had moved Evie out of her beloved preschool for this job. Renewed a one-year lease just days ago. And now, before my first lunch break, I was potentially soon-to-be-unemployed.
My hands curled into fists as I walked back to my desk.
IhatedJoe Walkers.
Without a second thought, I strode over to the wall where I’d first noticed the employee feedback tablet. All feedback went directly to the CEO, I remembered Rafael telling me. It would be anonymous.
I reached for the tablet and the stylus, then opened a new message and wrote furiously, channeling my anger and frustration.
When I was done, chest heaving, I felt a little relieved to have gotten my thoughts out. I read through it once more. Anonymous or not, I knew I couldn’t send it. It was the most vehement, vicious thing I’d ever written.
Even my anger wasn’t able to mask the hurt underneath. Because beneath all the fury, the accusations, the sarcastic jabs was the undeniable truth that I had wanted to believe in this company, in this job, and in the people who ran this place.
And now, I couldn’t.
I exhaled, rubbing my temple, when out of the blue, someone tapped me on my shoulder, and I jumped, startled. I dropped the tablet, and it fell to the floor just as I spun around.
Brian was standing behind me. “I’ve been looking all over for you. Some other colleagues from our department are going to grab drinks after work today. I figured you could join us too.”
My gaze slid to the tablet, now face down on the floor, as my heart raced.
“Sorry, Brian,” I said. “I’ve got plans for tonight.”
And every night after.
Work could have my attention during the day, but Evie got my full attention during my evenings.
Brian nodded and walked away.
I stared at his back for a moment before I bent down to pick up the tablet. I turned it over. The text was wiped clean, which could only mean one thing.
