Bereft (Seven Year Itch #2)(3)
“Sasha,” I recognized the young blonde’s voice. “It’s me, Rachel. Someone jumped in front of the train this morning. I’m stuck here until they get it cleaned up.”
“Oh no. I’ll go in and tell Chad what’s going on. I think everyone else is here already.”
I sighed and thought about asking him to wait for me, but with twenty some odd people already in attendance, I couldn’t do it. “Just tell them to start without me. I’ll be there when I can.”
“Will do. See ya soon.”
I placed my phone back in my computer bag and looked around. I wasn’t the only person annoyed. There simply was not enough time in the day to have a delay. What calmed me down was thinking about the poor family of the deceased victim. Had they jumped to their death? Were they pushed? Did they owe money? Were they in some kind of trouble with their health? So many factors could have been the reason for this type of incident.
I closed my eyes and thought about my step-daughter. Nearly twenty now, she had a full future ahead of her. She was majoring in Economics with a minor in Art. If it were up to her she’d live in a studio apartment, drawing pictures and selling them on EBay. She was simple. She didn’t fret about the small stuff. Every day she found something to be thankful for. I took pride in raising her that way. She had a kind mannerism, and Grayson and I were often complimented for how she was taught to respect her peers.
I missed her being home, having someone to share meals with, even cuddle with on the couch while watching tear-jerking flicks. Just imagining going home to an empty house made me depressed. Most of my friends were going to be without an income after today. Facing them, saying goodbye, it would hurt my heart. I’d need emotional support.
Eventually we were released from the train and allowed to go about our day. They’d taped off the accident, and had an officer directing traffic to a different exit.
When I finally arrived at the office I was covered in sweat. I looked at my reflection in the glass window and tried to straighten up my hair, while switching my shoes to pumps. I think I made it into the elevator without taking a single breath, and pushed the button to my floor while gasping for air. When the doors opened, I was greeted by a smiling receptionist. “Good morning, Rachel. They’re in the conference room waiting for you.”
I rushed by her, hustling again to make up time. When I opened the double doors I expected to see a bunch of my coworkers sitting around the large teak stained table. Instead, the owner and his grandson, Chad, were the only two remaining. “I’m so sorry I’m late. I ran into trouble on the train.” I took a seat nearest to them and folded my hands together, ready to hear about everyone’s reactions to the bad news.”
“It’s actually good you’re late today, Rachel. It gave us time to take care of some earlier matters.” Charles replied.
“Anything I need to know about?” My inquisitive question was meant to seem like I was oblivious to what had gone on. I knew they’d let a lot of people go already.
“I’m sure you were aware something was going down today. As you’ve probably guessed changes are being made with the company. My time here is about to expire, and we’ve,” he pointed to the two of them, “made some decisions that will impact the future.”
His grandson, Chad, took over when he started to struggle with words. I knew he’d be bent out of shape over letting so many good people go. He wasn’t the kind of man who liked hurting others, even if he couldn’t help it. “What my grandfather is trying to say is we’ve decided to close the business, and start a new venture.”
I folded my legs to prevent them from shaking, and prepared to be filled in on how we would be going forward for the rest of us left. “Okay. Will our positions change? Will the new company have some of their own employees?”
Charles, my boss for so many years, leaned forward and clapped his hands together as he struggled with an answer suitable for me to handle. I’d been around him for what seemed like forever, and never in that time had I seen him in such a state. The man looked as if he were about to cry. “Rachel, I’m sorry if you misunderstood. We’re closing the doors on the company, for operational purposes. No positions will remain. I’m not in any condition to carry on, and my predecessor has declined to continue on the path we’re on. He has other plans for our family legacy. It’s best if we close with our good standing, and let a new firm step in. They’ll take over the clientele, and offer the contractual obligations as severance. I know this is a shock.”
I refused to let him keep talking as if this was a good idea. “Shock? You’re sitting here telling me none of us have jobs, and all you can assume is that we’re in shock? Charles, I’ve worked my ass off for those clients. I’ve taken time away from my family for some of those opportunities. I put my career before anything else, and you think it’s okay to sit me down and let me go after all the years I devoted myself to your company?” I stood, because I simply wasn’t able to sit there with his good-for-nothing grandson smiling back at me. I pointed to the man I’d always admired. “This isn’t you. It’s him. You’re a good man. You’d never do this to the people you care about – to the clients who trusted their name with you.”
I had to walk out, even though Chad had called my name for me to come back. Hot tears were pouring from my eyes. Nothing could save my job, so I, at least, needed to walk away with what little bit of reputation I still had.