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I bite my lip to keep from saying what I really want to say. I want to chew him out. I want to say that it doesn’t even make sense to let me go if I’m the best. But I don’t. I just keep my mouth shut. I learned long ago that saying what I want to say usually just makes things worse.
“I’m sorry, Victoria.”
I glare up at him. He doesn’t get to be sorry. He’s the one who can’t lead a competent team. He’s the one who doesn’t make enough money so that he doesn’t have to fire his employees to keep the company afloat.
“Are we done then?” I snap. I can’t be in here any longer.
When I was first hired, I thought all my dreams were coming true. I got my dream job, in my dream city. But, now, I know it was too good to be true.
“Yes.”
I get up and turn to walk out.
“But just know, Victoria”—Will lowers his voice—“that this is really for your benefit. Unless a miracle happens, the company won’t survive the year. When this company goes down in flames, you will already be working your way up the ladder at your next company.”
I stop at the door and smirk. “You’re an idiot, Will, because you just lost your last chance to save your company. Because I was that miracle. I would have stepped up and started working a hundred hours a week or more for the same pay to ensure that this company survived. I would have done anything because I believed in this company. I liked my coworkers. I loved my job. But, instead of reaching out for help, you’re getting rid of the only shot you had left. But you’re right about one thing. I will already be at a more successful company while your company is ripped apart and sold piece by piece to try to give something to your investors.”
I push the glass door open and walk out with my head held high to my desk. I keep a large fake smile plastered on my face as I glide across the room, pretending like I just quit instead of getting fired. I gather my laptop and things into my briefcase. And then I walk out, like my life is fine.
But, instead, my world just fell apart. I don’t even make it to my car before the tears drop. Tears I would never let anyone else ever see, but in the darkness of the parking garage, they descend.
This was the absolute worst day for me to get fired. I just bought a new house last week. There are still boxes everywhere. My sister, niece, and I haven’t even fully moved in yet. Putting down the down payment practically emptied my savings. I need a new job and fast.
I hit the steering wheel over and over, trying to get my frustration and pain out. This is the third time I’ve been fired in five years. None of them were my fault. I’m good at fixing people’s problems. Everyone’s, except for mine.
By the time I get to the house, the house that I thought we would live in for years to come but is now threatened, I have lost the tears and returned the fake smile to my face. I won’t let them know that I just got fired. I can’t. I won’t let them worry. Ever.
I open the door, and before I even get inside, I’m tackled by two dogs and my ten-year-old niece.
I laugh as we all fall to the floor while I try not to bump into any of the boxes that are piled high everywhere.
“You’re home!” Sailor squeals. “I thought you weren’t supposed to be home until five.”
I tightly hug her, loving that the second she’s in my arms, I feel ten times better—but ten times worse at the same time. I try to focus on the happy feeling of getting to spend more time with my niece today.
“I got my work done quickly so that I could come be with you this week.”
“Yay! Does that mean we can go to the beach?” Sailor’s little eyes light up as her blonde curls hang down around her cheeks.
I smile. I’m not sure I could ever tell her no. I’d do anything for her. I’ll do everything I can to make sure that she is taken care of. This is her home now, and I will make sure it remains her home, including flipping burgers, waitressing, or serving coffee. Anything. Let’s just hope I don’t have to resort to that.
I’m a generally positive person. But I do know how long it took me to find my last position. Six months. I had been offered several jobs before the last one, but none of them paid enough. None gave me the flexibility that I needed.
I look back at Sailor. I’ll figure it out though. I don’t have six months to make something happen. I have about a month of savings. I can find a job that fast in the San Francisco area, no problem.
“Absolutely! Let’s go see if your mom wants to go.”
Sailor’s face brightens. “Good. I’m tired of being cooped up in this house.”
I laugh. “You’ve been cooped up for a total of four hours.”
She shrugs. “But it was a long four hours!”
“Your mom upstairs?” I ask, already knowing the answer.
Sailor nods.
“Go get changed into your swimsuit, and I’ll go see if your mom wants to go.”
