Against my will, my eyes widen.Next Friday? Only a week away?
I guessI’mnot the one planning or paying for anything, so in theory it doesn’t matter. But…I feel unprepared to avoid it.
Nodding, I pick up a pen, jotting the date on a sticky note. “Very soon. You’ve already planned it all?”
“Yes, even some entertainment.” She nods, the smile turning more genuine.
Narrowing my eyes, I ask, “What entertainment?Carolers?”
She lets out a nervous laugh, shaking her head. “No, no…it’s a surprise. You should come, even if it’s just to see the surprise.”
I instantly reject the invitation. “I’ll pass—my curiosity isn’tthatpiqued.”
Her smile falters and she nods. “I figured, but the offer still stands, of course, boss.”
I don’t say anything else, but Joy doesn’t leave. She shifts where she stands, her lips thinning.
Letting out a frustrated sigh, I drop the pen onto my desk. “What is it, Joy?”
“Well, I—we—were just wondering if you’d given the holidays any thought?” Her voice is soft and low, as if she’s afraid to even be asking.
I’m not a frightening person—I’m just work oriented. That’s how everyone should be.
“Not yet.” I stare her down.
She nods, and even from this distance I can see her swallow. “Okay well…thank you.”
With that, she scurries from the office, closing the door behind her. In the brief moment the door was open, I could hear Christmas music playing.
One of them turned on the damn radio.
I have astrictno-radio policy for the months of November and December. All the stations play is Christmas music, and it will drive me up the wall.
Now I’ve got thetinybit I heard playing on a loop in my head. Goddamn it, how am I supposed to focus with this awful track taking up my valuable brain space?
Reaching into my desk drawer, I pull out earplugs.
This is going to be a long ten days.
It’s Wednesday, and the office has been abuzz with the excitement of their upcoming Christmas party. They quiet down when I walk by, but it doesn’t help my growing irritation.
If only they were all this excited about work.
I don’t get the excitement and anticipation for something they allknowis coming. It’s just an excuse to drink and spend money frivolously. Why is that exciting?
Besides that, every day Joy enters my office with the same sheepish grin, asking the same question—have I thought about the holidays yet?
I told her last time that if she asked me again, I wouldn’t evenconsidergiving them extra time off. So far today, she hasn’t.
Actually, she hasn’t even comeintomy office at all.
Oh well, I’m enjoying the peace.
As the hours pass, I’m able to get lots of work done now that I’m not having my focus disrupted by unimportant questions. It’s a miracle how much you can accomplish when you are left alone.
Unfortunately, I still have lots to do, and I really don’t want to be here late on Friday—anything to avoid even having tolookat the tacky decorations that will inevitably be strung up around the office.
My stomach rumbles, and I begin to gather my things. I have to stop at the grocery store before I head home.
