Best Thing

“Kelly, you’re fired.”

I chuckled, a nervous, disbelieving sound. This had to be one of Jenny’s elaborate pranks. Luis, the accountant manager, stood across from me, his expression a mask of pity. “I’m sorry, Kelly, this isn’t a prank. We are cutting personnel. The money isn’t good right now, and you don’t really have an important position we need to consider to keep.”

My laughter died. This wasn’t a prank.

“When is my last day?” I asked, my voice surprisingly steady.

“Friday. You have three days.”

I nodded, a cold dread seeping in. “Me too,” I managed, a small, forced smile on my face before turning to walk back to my cubicle. Jenny, my work-neighbor, noticed my face.

“Hey, you have a box or something?” I asked, trying to sound casual. She reached under her desk, pulling out a medium-sized box.

“Yeah, why?”

“I’m fired. Thanks for the box.” I took it, the cardboard feeling heavy in my hands, and walked back to my small space. My eyes scanned the cubicle – my desk, my computer, the photos of Cole and me. Worthless now.

I packed the pictures, a few personal items, and tucked the box under my desk. My phone felt like a lifeline. “Lilly?” I said, as soon as she picked up.

“Hey, Kelly, what’s up?”

“I was fired this morning.” A beat of silence, then her voice, firm and relieving: “Come to my house, now.”

“I still have to work, you know,” I chuckled, but even I knew it was a hollow excuse.

“Who cares? They fired you! Come to my house now, or I will go to where you are and drag you out.”

“Okay,” I conceded, hanging up. I grabbed my purse and the box. Not worth staying anyway.