Page 23 of I Hope This Finds You Well

A chuckle bubbles up from my chest, but I catch it before it can find its way out. I thought I was the only one wishing for death during that meeting.

Garret:Greg plans on doing one of those round tables at the end and asking for efficiency strategies.

Caitlin:Okay, that’s good to know...

Caitlin suddenly leans back in her chair, clicking her monitor to turn the screen off, and stands with a huff. As she marches off in the direction of the bathroom, my heartbeat pounds in time with the dull click-clacks of her heels against the carpet.

I think again about what Garret said about Cliff—about him looking sad. Instinctively, my mouse moves through the server folders in my mailbox list until it lands on his name:Redmond, Clifford. I admit, after he drove me home last night, I spent an unfortunate amount of time considering what his deal might be while in that fake-it-till-you-make-it phase of trying to fall asleep.

His emails are minimal, which is to be expected since he started only a week ago. But there is one notable exchange.

From: Gregory Hall

To: Clifford Redmond

Subject: Org Chart

Cliff,

Now that you’ve settled and gotten to know our team, I’d like to discuss the goals for your busy first month with us.

Head office would like your recommendations to go along with the new org chart they’ve prepared (attached) by June 1. That gives three weeks to assess each employee’s role here and one week to draft the report. I will schedule an employee conference within that time for you to better assess the group’s dynamic and their contributions. I believe the employee’s mandatory training will also be wrapped up by then, and their progress in that course (or lack thereof) could be used for a termination with cause.

Regards,

Greg

I scan the area for onlookers. So the gossip is true. Apparently, if you want information to travel at lightning speed, you better make it confidential.

And what kind of person acts all buddy-buddy with his coworkers when his first task for this company is eliminating long-term employees? I can’t believe I felt bad for him.

I click download on the org chart before I can overthink it.

Caitlin’s high-pitched laugh grates through the room behind me, and I nearly skyrocket out of my chair. She’s still leaning against Larry’s door and giggling far too loud. She needs to calm down—Larry’s about as amusing as a survey.

I jot down the date of the meeting on a blank piece of printer paper. Not that I’ll be speaking. Gregory’s meetings are designed for maximum intimidation: he makes us voice brainstorms in front of the whole group, and he accepts or rejects them on the spot. I’m sure he credits the ideas he likes as his own for the head office. Usually, myonly goal is to move as little as possible so he can’t see me, but this time I’ll need to keep an eye on whatever Caitlin’s planning.

I realize I’m staring too hard into her back when I sense something to my right. I turn to catch Armin watching me watching Caitlin—shit. I jolt against my will, which makes me look guilty of something, so I try smiling at him, which probably only looks more manic—shit again!I focus on dulling the corners of my lips into a more neutral, innocent expression.

He raises an eyebrow at me as he slides his chair back toward his computer, disappearing behind the cube wall.

It shouldn’t be this hard to convey normalness to a person.

I return to my computer as well. The org chart download link is sitting temptingly at the bottom of my browser, and my fingers are itching to open it, but I can hear Garret and Marla Singer gathering in the boardroom behind me, their voices far too animated for this place. The traffic around my desk is too high.

Armin pokes his head back over the cubicle divider toward Rhonda this time, peeling his headphones away from his ears to announce, “I’ve gotta grab a coffee. I’ll be back in ten.”

“No problem, dear.” Rhonda’s smile is as thick as syrup. As soon as his back turns, she glances at the wall clock, opens a document, and types.

Everyone here is so fake.

And that pang of anger is all it takes for my finger to tap twice on the org chart and hit print. Except as soon as I do it, I realize someone else might already be at the printer. What was I thinking?

I almost knock my chair over to stand. Rhonda looks up, mildly curious. I force myself to slow down as I head with purpose toward the copy room.

The burned popcorn smell is twice as pungent in this area, but at least it’s keeping people out. The incriminating evidence in question is just pushing itself out of the printer. I grab the still-warm page before it can land on the tray. There’s a box of maroon folders sitting on the supply table, so I grab one and stuff it inside.

As I round the corner back to my desk, I nearly collide headfirst with Marla. “Hey, Jolene, another day in paradise, eh?” Her smile pushes hercheeks into her glasses. I nod shakily, lowering the folder and casually half hiding it behind me as I pass.