At Least They're Committed

Sitting across the table, she reaches down and gives her pantyhose a jerk upward at the ankle. They didn’t need it: It’s a comfort move. She straightens and continues to talk, slightly hesitant but clearly enough.

“Well, I’ve accepted a position elsewhere,” she says. Her voice breaks slightly and she slips her thumbs under the rest of the fingers, cradling them in her fists. It doesn’t matter what he says back because she said what she needed to and now her mind is blank.

Not ideal, she judges her performance while watching his lips move, but not bad. You can never tell who’s going to show up. Today it’s Cathy No. 2: soft, sweet, slightly shy but not near so timid as Real Cathy. The wide-eyed, shrinking Real Cathy, damn her, is terrified of people and of opening her mouth and typically makes her appearance when she’s put on the spot. TrippingRaul, now there’s who you want to show up: dynamic, witty, self-assured, sassy. Don’t push too hard, however, because you might tap into Leah, who is cruel and damning.

For now, Cathy No. 2 is on site, demur and nearly feminine. She’s not sure what her boss says, it’s choppy in her brain: “Sorry to see you go,” and “if you reconsider,” and “miss you.” She nods, smiles, says “thank you” and leaves the office.

Taking a deep breath, she flops in her chair. Her coworker leans toward her and whispers, “Did he cry?” which puzzles her because she’s not sure why he would. “No,” she simply replies and chuckles. “Should I go smack him around until he does?” she snarls and passes a sly smile. TrippingRaul has arrived and the night goes on.