Sangria Christmas Lewis
Termination Notice
She had been holding onto a tiny sliver of hope that everything was some huge mistake.Frank Mercer barely knew her name after all.She was just Jim Ginatti’s assistant.Maybe he confused her with some other low-level employee.One who didn’t single-handedly design and execute over forty successful marketing campaigns in only five years.
Seeing her name on that slip of paper, though, popped the hopeful balloon inside her, leaving only the tattered remains of a long-held dream.When she’d gotten the call to report to Mr.Mercer’s office, she’d thought it was for a promotion.She’d assumed Jim finally told everyone how she was the real brains behind his success, and she was about to get some much-deserved recognition along with a pay increase.Something she desperately needed, given her current situation.
Instead, she got fired.No, not fired.“Let go.”As if the softer verbiage in turn somehow softened the blow.One would think a marketing firm could have been a little more creative.Knowing they would suffer without her ingenious ideas did little to improve her mood though.
“What about my clients?”She had just put the finishing touches on a campaign that would catapult a small business in her hometown into a whole new level of growth.Without her there to implement it…
“Jim has your files and will handle everything,” Mr.Mercer replied.“All the worthwhile clients will be assured of their continued representation.We will ensure the transition is seamless.”
Nodding, she took the envelope and rose from the chair on unsteady legs.It killed her to think she wouldn’t be around to see her hard work pay off, but as long as Jim followed her plan, the campaign would still be effective.A small consolation, but something to cling to when she had nothing else.
Don’t slink away,a little voice in the back of her head whispered.Make a scene.This asshole ruined your life.
She lingered in front of Mr.Mercer’s desk, debating.
Don’t do anything irrational, another voice whispered.You’ll need to get a good job reference at least.
Frank steepled his hands and eyed her warily.“Once again, Miss Lewis, I do apologize for the timing of this news.Based on your middle name, I’m sure the holidays are something you find much joy in.Perhaps embracing that will help soothe some of the sting.”
It wouldn’t.In fact, RiahatedChristmas.Despite her mother’s frequent declarations that it was truly the most wonderful time of the year, Ria found the pressure to be cheery and bright far too overwhelming.An opinion currently being cemented as she warred with the decision to ease out of her old life quietly or go down swinging.
Cast a spell, that naughty voice urged.Who cares if it goes wrong?Make his hideous crooked nose even larger.
Her fingers tingled again, like tiny little pinpricks under the skin.
You don’t cast anymore,the other, more rational, voice protested.Keep your dignity and exit gracefully.
“Now, if you don’t mind,” Mr.Mercer said, nodding toward the door, “please clean out your desk quietly and efficiently.I do have other matters to attend to.”
He waved his hand in a clear dismissal, and it was that small gesture that snapped something inside her.Five years of hard work reduced to a simple flick of the wrist.
“You know what, Mr.Mercer?”she said, the spark inside her growing, her rage finally begging to be unleashed.
“What, Miss Lewis?”
The words hovered on the tip of her tongue.All the things she could finally say.She could tell him he was making the biggest mistake of his life.She could tell him his company would crash and burn without her doing all the work of three executives.She could tell him he smelled like moldy brie, and people took a roundabout way to the break room just to avoid the stench from passing his office.
In the end, the fire blazing in her green eyes fizzled out.She wasn’t a fighter and would never be the type to make waves.
“Happy holidays,” she said meekly, her shoulders drooping in disappointment that she couldn’t even manage a simple “Screw you.”
No wonder you got fired,the evil voice taunted.Nobody wants to employ a marketing agent with less passion in her veins than a drunken sloth.
“Yes, same to you,” Mr.Mercer replied, his attention returning to the computer in front of him.
Slinking out of the office and back to her cubicle, Ria couldn’t remember a time she felt more disgusted with herself.Born a witch with a powerful birthright, she had given it all up for the chance at a normal life.She’d completely rejected her heritage—to her mother’s dismay—in order to focus on making her mark in the world.And she’d been successful thus far.She was genuinely happy with how things had been going, save for the fact her girlfriend dumped her a week ago, sticking her with the full rent on an apartment she couldn’t afford.Aside from that, though, she was happy with her life in Portland.She’d just never realized that life could be ripped apart in less than five minutes while Christmas carols played in the background.
She tore open the termination envelope with shaky hands.Maybe they still gave her something she could use to tide herself over.A thank-you for years of loyal service had to be worth at least a few grand.If she could pay her rent for another few months, then maybe…
She stared at the green piece of plastic as if the longer she looked the chances of it changing might grow.Thirty seconds passed.After a minute, the laws of reality held firm.She flipped it over, noted the number on the back, then tossed it in the trash.
Her years of loyal service were apparently worth nothing more than a fifty-dollar coffee shop gift card.Ria didn’t even drink coffee.
She glanced at the framed photo on her desk of an older woman with long, braided brown hair smiling vibrantly as she looked up at the camera, a trowel still half planted in the garden dirt.
