last chance
ROXANNE
How didI let things get this bad?
Because I can’t find a decent therapist, that’s how.
Today is the day, though. Today I’m being let go.
I can feel it.
To be one of the top writers atWorld Explorermagazine, you need to be willing to travel, and since my accident, I barely leave my apartment without feeling like I have to hyperventilate into a paper bag. I’m thirty-seven, single, and scared of my own shadow. There’s something about waking up in a hospital with everyone saying you’re lucky to be alive that makes you question how lucky you really are.
As I walk through the whir and hum of a busy Monday at the office, I feel more eyes on me than usual. Between the forced smiles from some of my coworkers and the fact that the only compelling pieces I’m writing are local hotel reviews, a wave of anxiety starts to crawl out of the pit of my gut.
Hiding in my office seems like a good plan, and I can’t get there fast enough. I toss my tote on the chair in the corner and turn away from my clear office door, unable to look at thevultures in their cubicles circling and waiting for me to take my last breath. I stare out of my office window that overlooks the dense splendor of Central Park. It may be the last time I get to relish this view.
“Hello, I’m trying to reach Roxanne Denning?” says a voice behind me.
I yelp and whip around, clutching my chest.
Leo throws up his hands. “Whoa, settle down, Rox. We tried to knock.”
“Sorry, I didn’t hear you,” I say with a forced smile.
“Are you on edge because of Priti’s note on your desk?” Allie asks.
“I’m fine,” I say, my eyes spying the note I failed to notice when I first came in. The sticky note clinging to my desktop reads:
Need to see you when you get in,
Priti
Yep, definitely on edge. Pressing the sticky note to my chest, I suck in a deep breath and close my eyes.
Allie touches my shoulder. “What’s going on, Roxanne? You’re not your usual unusual self.”
“Nothing. Just?—”
“You better get in to see Priti,” Leo says, sinking into the crushed green velvet chair across from my desk. “It’s urgent.”
“What has she told you?” I ask as I crumple the note up and toss it into my trash.
Allie shrugs, taking the other seat. “Nothing, yet. We were told to come here and wait until she is finished talking to you. She said you’d fill us in afterward.”
“She’s going to let me go,” I mutter.
Allie turns to me. “I’m sure it’s not that.”
Tugging on the sleeves of my crisp button-down, I square my shoulders. “Well, I’ve not written or produced anythingworthwhile in a long time. Today is most likely the day I finally answer for that.”
“Maybe a new project that’s perfect for you.” Allie is desperately trying to stay positive which is why she’s one of my best friends.
“That’s it,” Leo says with a nod.
I reapply my lipstick. “I might as well get this over with so we can stop speculating.”
“You look divine,” Leo offers. “You got this.”
