Page 9 of Objection
“I will do my best, as stated, but Illinois is an at-will state and I will no longer be employed at this firm as of April 29th.” I spoke firmly, but professionally.
“If that is how you wish to handle this, Ms. Adams, understand that you must complete your work before your exit date. Please shut the door on your way out.” And like that, I was dismissed.
I fumed, walking back to my cubicle. I sat down with a huff and pulled out my work and a pad of paper. It was time to make my list to make sure I accomplished everything I needed to before peacing out of this joint.
“I take it that didn’t go well?” Sandra winced, slipping into my cubicle for the story.
“In a word: no. He’s an ass, always will be an ass. He tried to say I couldn’t quit!” I whispered, completely angered at the situation.
“It’s an at-will state,” Sandra countered, and I just gave her a look and a gesture that said no shit Sherlock.
“So, now he wants all of my current case load completed before I leave, which we both know won’t get done because that’s contingent on hearing dates and opposing counsel, not just on my work. So, I’m compiling a to do list and will organize my work accordingly.” I rested my head in my hands for a moment before finding my inner strength again.
“You’re doing the right thing, Posey. You’re an incredible paralegal. You should be a lawyer and we both know it. You let me know when you finally go to law school, and I’ll be the first in line to work for you. No matter what!” Her words were just what I needed, a soothing balm on the pain of this moment.
Just two more weeks until I was officially done here. Two weeks, and a mountain of work.
By the time I finished the work I needed to complete for the day to stay on track, it was nearly six in the evening. I was late. Again. While I had texted David about the late night, I knew I would be walking into some crap about it.
Traffic was slow, and my motivation to do anything was even slower. By the time I made it home, I was so exhausted, I was already trying to formulate excuses of why I didn’t want to have a fight tonight with David. When I opened the door; however, that’s not what I found.
“Hey, baby! I hope you’re hungry. I made dinner!”
I stood there in awe. The dining room was set, and I could smell some kind of amazing food cooking in the kitchen. I was in complete shock.
“I know you said you had to work late tonight. That’s been happening a lot lately. So, I thought a nice dinner would be a good idea. I’ve got baked chicken and vegetables in the oven, mashed potatoes, and a really yummy gravy. It’s not homemade, the gravy, but it should still be good.” He was so excited, waiting to see some kind of reaction from me. I closed my jaw from the way it was hanging open and crossed the room, dropping my things along the way. I hugged him hard.
“Thank you,” I whispered, holding him close. “This is exactly what I needed.”
“Good! Now go get cleaned up and come join me for dinner.” This was the David that I fell for all those years ago.
I quickly ran to my room and freshened up. He looked good tonight. Dark jeans and a button up shirt, hair actually styled, beard may have even been brushed. When I came back out, our plates were filled, and he was waiting by my chair. A perfect gentleman. When he pushed my seat in for me, he kissed my cheek, and I felt the tension of the day just melt away. He poured us both a glass of wine and lifted his for a toast.
“To us,” he said with a proud smile.
“To us,” I agreed, and we took a sip. “And to surviving the next two weeks.”
We ate in comfortable quiet, enjoying the meal and making only occasional small talk. As much as I would have loved more connection from him, it was nice to be quiet and still for a little while.
“David, I seriously can’t thank you enough for this. It was the perfect end to a shitty day. The next two weeks are going to be filled with long nights and lots of frustration as I clear out my things from the office. Your support is seriously so appreciated,” I sighed, pouring the last of the bottle of wine into my glass. We’d finished our food and I was delightfully stuffed.
“Did you get promoted?” he asked excitedly?
“What? No, I gave my notice today,” I explained.
“Notice of what?”
“My letter of resignation. I have two weeks left at the firm before I switch jobs.” I’d barely taken a sip when his fists pounded on the table.
“You took the job with Wellington, didn’t you?” He was seething, his words coming out hissed between his teeth.
“I did. He offered me double pay and benefits, David. I couldn’t turn that down,” I tried to reason with him. His temper had been on a hairpin trigger lately.
“Double pay?” Of course, that got his interest.
“Yes, double the pay I am making currently. Plus, good benefits. I’m serious about this, David. It’s not a decision I would make lightly. You know that.” His eyes softened, but I wasn’t an idiot. I could still feel that irritation bubbling below the surface.
“I still don’t like it,” he whined.
