She, the Kingdom (She #1)(3)

“Very good, Miss Hill.” Kingston turned right toward the boardroom instead of left toward his office.

As we walked past, I could see from her employee badge that Miss Hill’s name was Candace. Of course it is. Her bleach-blonde hair, round, blue eyes, thick, black eyelashes, and the three inches of cleavage showing above her low neckline told me everything I needed to know about Kingston. No amount of expensive cinnamon mints could get that bad taste out of my mouth.

“Hi there, Morgan,” Ms. Simms said, reaching over the boardroom table.

“Sandra,” I replied, shaking her hand.

“It’s good to see you,” she said, gesturing for me to take a seat.

I nervously fingered my employee badge, wondering if that morning was really the last time I’d put it on. “Wish I could say the same,” I muttered.

Mr. Lacy and Ms. Simms let out a shocked laugh, which turned into chuckles. I felt my cheeks pink. Everyone making light of so many people losing their jobs today was infuriating.

“Before we begin,” Kingston said, running his hand down his blood-red tie. “I’d like to share what Ms. Clarke told me in the elevator, which is that she is a single mother, and she hasn’t missed a day of work in four years. Is that true?” He looked to Ms. Simms.

She nodded without even looking at my file that sat on the desk before her. “Yes, sir. Which is why I recommended offering Morgan a reduction in salary in an effort to keep her at Mercy. Morgan is well-liked by everyone in her department, along with everyone else who works closely with her. She has met or surpassed goals every quarter, and her department rates their work experience as above average. She’s been an exemplary employee.”

I frowned at the seven years I’d spent at Mercy being summarized in such a detached way. I’d held baby showers, birthday parties, and graduation parties for my colleagues’ kids. I’d visited them when they were sick, had listened when they were frustrated. I knew all the names of their spouses, their children, and grandchildren, their preferred toppings on pizza, and their favorite books and music. The finance department was oftentimes a thankless job, and I’d made sure everyone in my department felt appreciated.

Three pairs of eyes settled on me.

“Oh, you’re… you’re asking me? My choice is to be let go or take a reduction in pay for doing the same job?”

“Morgan,” Mr. Lacy began.

“How much less?” I asked.

Kingston seemed intrigued.

“Ten thousand annually,” Ms. Simms said, almost as an admission.

“Ten… that’s less than I made when I started,” I said.

“We understand this is a difficult decision,” Mr. Lacy began.

“Okay,” I said.

The three admins traded glances.

“Okay?” Ms. Simms repeated.

“Okay. I’ll take the cut in pay. I need this job, Sandra. I’m damn good at it, and I don’t know who would take my place if I left. My department depends on me. So, if I have a choice, I choose to stay.”

“Ellen Jacobs,” Kingston said.

I paused, not sure what he meant. “Pardon?”

“Ellen Jacobs will be taking over your position,” he clarified. “This hospital is on the brink of bankruptcy, Ms. Clarke, and—pardon me for being so blunt—but if you’re willing to take a cut in pay, it would serve us even better to pay someone beneath you to do your job and theirs, essentially cutting costs that much more.”

I shook my head. “Ellen can’t do my job and hers. That’s impossible.”

“Actually, it’s not,” Kingston said. He pulled a sheet of paper from a stack beside my employee file, looked it over, signed it, and pushed it across the table at me. “Sign and date, Ms. Clarke. This is your termination agreement, and the outlining of your severance package. I’m sure you’ll find it satisfactory until you find something else.”

My bottom lip quivered, but from anger. “Do you have any idea where we are, Mr. Kingston?” I said. “Our choices are gas stations, fast food franchises, city jobs—which are all taken and have been for years—or this hospital. Do you think I agree that the pay cut you offered is justifiable, or even fair? The truth is, it doesn’t matter because I need this job. A severance package isn’t going to help me in,” I looked down at the paper, “three months. Are you joking?”

Ms. Simms looked on the verge of tears, Mr. Lacy looked uncomfortable, while Mr. Kingston looked entertained.

“Morgan,” Ms. Simms said. “We’ll need you to sign to accept your severance, and leave your badge. We’re very, very sorry.”

I scribbled my name and date on the page and pushed it back. “Eat shit, Sandra.” I looked at Kingston. “Do the world a favor, and start with him.”

Sandra gasped, and Kingston chuckled. I ripped off my badge and tossed it to the table, shoved back my chair and stood, walking out with my head held high.

Kingston cleared his throat. “Have a good day, Ms. Clarke.”

I held up my middle finger until I reached the elevator. Once the doors closed, I sank back against the wall and tried not to cry as reality set in. I was leaving early for the first time in seven years. The only silver lining was that I’d just dropped off the kids at their dad’s the week before. Josh and Hannah would be there for the summer, giving me time to figure out how to explain. I wasn’t sure there was a way to describe what had happened. I didn’t even understand. Sandra had been ready to offer me a cut in pay in exchange for keeping my job, and I’d accepted. I must have made Kingston angry in the elevator. He was never going to let me stay.