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Yes, Master! Geez…he’s so demanding.

But rather than lash out and let his brusque temperament ruin my good mood, I continued to placate him the best I could.

8:04 AM: Me

I’ll talk to Mr. Roberts about it. I’ll text you if I can’t get out early.

I waited for a response. When I didn’t get one immediately, I pocketed the phone and continued to Mr. Roberts’ office. I couldn’t be sure whether this was Alexander’s way of separating our business and personal lives, but if he thought he was going to snap orders at me like I was some sort of dimwitted lackey, he had another thing coming to him. Either way, I would deal with him later. I had more important business to get out of the way first.

I approached the open office door and gave it a light knock to signal my arrival.

“Hi, Mr. Roberts.”

“Krys! Glad to see you. I was hoping you’d pop into the office. I have to talk to you about a few things.”

“I needed to speak with you as well,” I said anxiously.

“You first. What can I do for you today?” he asked. He leaned back in his chair and offered me a warm smile, causing the wrinkles in the corners of his eyes to deepen.

He appeared to be in excellent spirits. It was a nice change, as Mr. Roberts’ smiles had been few and far between, and I dreaded the idea I might ruin his good mood. However, I knew there wasn’t going to be an easy way around this. Rather than beat around the bush with small talk, I blurted out my reason for coming to his office.

“I think you know already I received a job offer from Turning Stone Advertising. I’ve decided to accept it. This Friday will be my last day here.”

“Yes, I know it is. That’s one of the things I wished to discuss. I spoke to Mr. Stone about you in great detail this morning,” he informed me, taking my announcement in stride.

It irked me to learn Alexander had taken it upon himself to talk to my boss about my end date, but a part of me wasn’t the least bit surprised he had beaten me to it.

“I’m really sorry for the short notice, Mr. Roberts. It’s just that Ale—er, Mr. Stone—was insistent I start right away,” I said, glad I caught my slip up in time. If I had any hopes of gaining respect from my future coworkers, I had to be extra careful not to use Alexander’s first name.

“Don’t fuss over it. It’s no big deal. Do what you have to do,” he said easily with a sweep of his hand. But his easygoing attitude seemed false. I knew my boss pretty well, and despite the relaxed smile on his face, I could sense his wariness. And his disappointment.

“I can stay a bit longer if you need me to—maybe work in the evening when I finish for the day at Turning Stone,” I offered, feeling terribly guilty. He had been under so much pressure, and I had just become an addition to his mounting troubles.

He got up from his chair and moved around the desk to where I was standing.

“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m happy for you. Really, I am,” he assured me.

I looked at him doubtfully.

“Are you sure? I mean, I could help you train my replacement.”

Mr. Roberts took a deep breath and shook his head.

“Look, I don’t mean to sound so dismissive. I thought if I acted like your departure was no big deal, it would make leaving easier for you. You’re not one to make rash decisions, and I know your choice to leave Wally’s wasn’t something you’d considered lightly. Anyone with half a brain can see how incredible this opportunity is, Krys. But I will admit, it’s going to be hard to lose you. You’re like family.”

I was immediately rendered speechless as memories of my time at Wally’s flashed before my eyes. Mr. Seymour, the sweet older man I delivered groceries to. The company picnics. Mr. Roberts’ funny antics and constant teasing jests. Even Jim McNamara’s pestering. They were my work family, one of the few constants in a city full of chaos, and I would miss every last one of them.

I had spent the last six months worrying over bills and about getting a better-paying job. I hadn’t even thought about what I’d be leaving behind. I fought back the sting of threatening tears, knowing that in the end, I was making the right choice.

At least, I hope I am.

“It’s time for me to move on, but I will miss everyone at Wally’s a lot,” I told him truthfully. “I’ll be back to visit—you can count on it!”

“You’d better—and often too. My wife and I will miss seeing your face around here. I haven’t spoken to her about this yet, but I know she’ll share my sentiments.”

Another pain of regret struck me when I thought of Mrs. Roberts. Both she and Mr. Roberts had been so kind to me over the years, and I should have told them both together.

“Please tell Mrs. Roberts I apologize for not telling you both at the same time. I just couldn’t put this off. Mr. Stone actually wanted me to start sooner, but I had to tell him no. I didn’t want to screw anyone here at the last minute.”