Both John and Martin pull off their headphones, asking what’s going on, and I repeat the news that I’ve been fired. They’re instantly in a state of complete confusion.
“I can’t believe this,” John says. “This has to be a mistake.”
“It’s not,” I say. “I violated company policy.”
“This is bullshit!” John says.
“They can’t do this,” Martin argues, ready to take up my defense. “We’ll go on strike!”
I smile, but shake my head. “I’m sorry, guys. I hope I don’t get you all into any more trouble.”
“Aw man, this sucks,” John says.
I fight the urge tocry.
“I’ll miss you boys,” I tell them. “I liked being on your team. I feel like you’ll probably all hate me now, but, you know, if anyone’s ever in the Village or anything…”
I trail off, unsure of what I’m trying to say, and knowing deep down no one will want to stay in touch with me anyway.
Ben steps forward and wraps me in a hug, and a second later Martin and John pile in, until I’m completely crushed between them.
“Don’t be a stranger,” Ben says when he steps back.
I nod, draping my coat over myarm.
“Bye, Annie,” John says, one of his corkscrew curls flopping into his eye. Beside him, Martin gives a pathetic little wave.
“Bye,” I whisper.
—
Carrie meets me at the elevators but decides physically walking me out of the building is probably overkill. It’s very clear I want to leave. She tells me she’ll stop by the apartment after work. I waspishly tell her not to bother.
I know it’s not fair. Iknowshe’s just the messenger. But I’m still pissed off. There were a hundred different ways she could have done her job that didn’t include hauling me into her office and reading out the company textbook. The thought of what the two of them must have been talking about before I got there makes me want to bleach my eyeballs.
It’s those dead hours between lunch and home time, so the lobby is quiet, but still, I keep my head down, hoping to avoid bumping into anyone and having to explain that I am currently in the process of leaving the building for the last time.
I’m right near the doors when I hear Connor shout from somewhere behindme.
I stop and turn.
“Where are you going?”
“In case you missed the memo,” I say bitterly, “I don’t work here anymore.”
“So you’re just leaving? Don’t you think we should talk about this?”
I give a pitiful laugh. “Sure, Connor. What do you want to talk about?”
“Frankly? I want to ask you what the hell you were thinking.”
“What wasIthinking?” I gasp.
“Yes! You had to have known Brad was going to make an example out of you. What good could havepossiblycome from telling him you were the source of the leak?”
“I wastryingto help you!”
He looks at me like I’ve just said the stupidest thing he’s ever heard in his life. “And I’m supposed to thank you for that?”
