My boss fired me while I was five months pregnant because he needed someone “fully committed.” I buried my baby three days later. Seven years after that, he walked into my office begging for a janitor job. He didn’t recognize me, which gave me the perfect opportunity to teach him a lesson.
Richard stood just outside the glass wall of my office, clutching his resume in both hands.
He looked small, like life had beaten him down.
Seeing him like that was unnerving. I started to doubt my plan.
I’d brought Richard here because he made me lose everything. I’d wanted to confront him, but the man lingering at my office door was not the same smug man who fired me seven years ago.
“Too late to turn back now,” I whispered as I gestured to him to enter.
Richard pasted on a fake smile and entered my office.
“Thank you for seeing me,” he said as he sat across from me.
“I know my resume may seem overqualified for janitorial work, but I’m prepared to start anywhere.”
“I value that type of commitment. You should know that I also value the importance of recognizing and rewarding loyalty.”
He nodded quickly. “Of course.
I couldn’t agree more.”
Liar!
I leaned forward. “Really? Because I know for a fact that you don’t.
You don’t recognize me at all, do you, Richard?”
Seven years earlier.
“I’m not sure I understand.” My hand moved unconsciously, resting over the gentle curve of my baby bump.
“It’s simple.” Richard slid a cardboard box toward me. “We need someone fully committed to the job.”
“But I’ve been here six years,” I countered. “I’ve never missed a deadline.
Not one.”
“Then what is?”
His gaze dropped to my belly. “It’s just not the right time for divided priorities, Sarah.”
“But… I’ve already arranged my maternity leave. HR approved it months ago.”
“This is purely about commitment, like I said.” He gestured toward the door.
He’d clearly made his decision, and nothing I said would change his mind.
I took the box and headed out.
When I exited his office, everything made sense.
Richard’s son was standing nearby with his latest girlfriend, and she was wearing my access badge!
“I’m so excited for my new job!” She ran her fingers over his lapel. “Your dad is the best.”
Richard’s son smiled. “You’ll do great, boo-boo.”
Tears stung my eyes.
I’d run that department for two years, and this was the thanks I got? No severance package, just a box and the humiliation of watching “Boo-boo” walk straight out of college and into my job.
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