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“I’m acting like a child?” The rest doesn’t deserve a response. I blink, and Boone’s appearance changes. People have always said we look alike, but now it feels like he’s a stranger. “I suppose that’s what you would think. I always looked up to you, Boone. Did you know that? You were the one I turned to because you always looked out for me. I worshipped you when I was little.” Boone’s expression is unchanged. I’m baring my soul, and he doesn’t care. “You were larger than life while I was fumbling through it all. I was trying to figure out what I wanted, and you always knew the answer. Now, you think you still do. You’re going to believe you know better than me no matter what I say, aren’t you? You’ll hurt me, too, just like everyone else.”
I step backward towards the door because being so close to him hurts.
“If that’s your opinion, what are you doing here?” Boone asks. “Go be with him. You don’t care about this place or the people here, and you obviously don’t think much of me. If that’s how you feel, then go.”
What am I doing here? That’s a great question.
Our voices can be heard down the hallway, and I don’t care.
“I know you’re both upset,” Maddie sweetly chimes in. “If we can quiet down, there must be a way to work through this.”
Although I appreciate her attempt to play mediator, it won’t work. Not this time.
“Behold, Maddie. Your fiancée.” I sweep my arm towards Boone. “A man who finds joy in inflicting pain. Isn’t he hilarious? Enjoy spending your life with him because he’ll do the same to you.”
“Sarah, please,” she says quietly. “That’s unkind.”
She’s siding with him, which is expected. It still hurts. “It’s honest. You two make a great team.”
I slam the door shut because there isn’t anything else to say.
∞∞∞
After that altercation, my office is the only refuge left. I lock the door, but no one comes to check on me.
Some emails need a response, and Lily is waiting for me to return.
None of that interests me right now.
I go through my desk, pulling out personal items collected over the years. There is too much to take home in a day. The plants alone will fill up my car.
My laptop belongs to the company, but no one would miss it besides me.
I smile when my phone chimes.
Jake: Here’s the address. He’s in a great mood, and your idea is genius. See you soon.
Does he know what my brother is doing to him? My smile falls.
My silly life plan included a new job and career, so this is one more step towards my goal.
I stare at the blank document on my laptop, uncertain what to say.
It’s best to get on with it before my courage fails.
It’s only a few sentences, but they’re enough. It would be easier to email it and sneak out like a coward. Instead, I go searching for Boone. This needs to be in person.
I find him with Pete and Julian in the sim room. All three are busy studying the computer monitors and fail to notice my entrance.
Tired of being ignored, I loudly clear my throat, and all three turn to face me. Pete looks like he wants to escape, while Julian is amused.
Our loud argument is already office gossip.
Boone stays silent, staring with that cold, blank face of his.
“For you,” I say and hand over my letter.
He unfolds it and scans its contents: “‘Please consider this formal notice of my resignation two weeks from now.’ What the hell, Sarah? You’re going to quit, huh? Just like that.”
