“No.”The word falls between us like a gavel.
“It doesn’t need to run this week.I know it’s short notice to fit it into the schedule, but if I?—”
“You’re not going to write it at all.You write a Lifestyle column, Mia.It’s not your job to cover the election, and even if anyone could be convinced to care about charity now that the holidays are over, we aren’t in the business of goodwill.”
We should be.
I’m left staring at her desk, the floor, the view.Something worse is coming—I can feel it.
It’s quiet beyond her office.The glass behind me does nothing to buffer sound, in or out, so that’ll make for a fun walk back to my desk.Despite the way it started, it’s another day in the office.I’ll walk out of here with a warning, but nothing else will change.
“Okay.”This isn’t the first debate we’ve had over my work.I’m not giving up.I simply need to try again another day.
She hums, sour-faced.It pairs nicely with her navy blouse.“You were an hour late this morning,” she says.“I might have made an exception if you’d given me notice or provided an explanation.”
“I really am sorry.It won’t happen again.”
“You’re right; it won’t.”
Worry creeps in at the edges of my hope, easily stomping over the fragile ground.
“It won’t happen because you’re fired.”
Time stops.
No, no, no, no.Anything but this.
Months of promises, overtime, and working through period pain, the flu, stress headaches, or three hours of sleep.After all of that … she’s firing me?
Monica smiles.
* * *
Make Your Choice:
give Monica a piece of your mind(go to 12)
hold your tongue(go to 15)
go back(go to 7)
I throw the highlighter down and spin his chair to face me.The jump of his eyebrows is satisfying.
“I’m going to say this, and you’re not going to interrupt me, okay?”
He nods and settles back in his chair, arms crossed, all of his focus on me.
His biceps are huge …
It’s everything I’ve wanted; he’s finally taking me seriously, finally ready to listen.I feel important, more than I ever have before, because Sterling Ross is paying attention to me.
“I didn’t have to agree to help you, but I said yes because I believe in this job, in the impact you have.You inspire people; you inspire me—or at least you used to.”
He has the grace to look contrite.
“The world needs more than one of you, and no matter what you think of me, I plan on becoming that good.Better even.You should want that.You should be teaching me, but you’re intent on keeping all that wisdom in a tower, aren’t you?No one but you in there, looking down over the rest of us—over me, and all I’m trying to do is help you.”
“You’re right; I’m sorry.”
