14. Oscar

Chapter 14

Oscar

When I got called into work for an all-hands meeting, I didn't think anything of it. We had them from time to time, and it was getting close to the end of the quarter. That was usually when they would start to talk about things like how many hours we were using for service calls, whether profits were up or down, and how we could upsell other products while servicing the ones that customers already had—the normal capitalistic kind of bullshit you found in any company.

But when I got there, I discovered that it was very much not an all-hands meeting—unless all the hands belonged to me. I was shuffled into the HR office and sat in front of Rachel's desk. This was never good. You only got brought into HR when you were doing your initial paperwork, when you got in trouble, or when you were getting fired. That was that. Even when it was time to figure out what insurance to get for the next year, it wasn't a private meeting that you got called in for. No, this was bad. I instantly knew it.

"I'm sorry to tell you that due to some budget cuts and some misplaced inventory, we are going to have to let you go."

"Misplaced inventory? What does that even mean?" I tried to process what she was saying.

"There was an issue with the warehouse."

At least I knew they didn't think I was the one responsible.

I had nothing to do with the warehouse. But if something suspicious really was going on there, I would've thought they would send us a memo or some strongly worded emails. That's what they did the last time there was an inventory issue, and it turned out to be a computer glitch that was double-subtracting items that it shouldn't have. Which they discovered by telling us there was an issue. No. Something about this didn't sound right.

Also, being laid off was supposed to be "last in, first out," and I was far from the last one in.

"How many others are being let go?" I hadn't seen anybody else there, and all the desks I passed looked like business as usual. If it was "first in, last out," then, well, I should still be okay.

"I'm not at liberty to give that information." Rachel's tone let me know that it was best not to push it.

Of course, she wasn't going to tell me, because it wasn't a standard layoff.

I had more questions to ask, but security walked in behind me. They told me they were going to escort me to my desk to get any personal items and then escort me out of the building where I would no longer be allowed.

Tears were building in my eyes as I grabbed a few things from my desk that were personal. They were freely flowing by the time I climbed into my car. I couldn't even just cry it out right there and then pull myself together because security was watching, telling me that I needed to leave, and it was not optional.

I made it down the street far enough to pull into the parking lot of a strip mall and broke down. This was not good. This was very not good.

I called my mate, hoping that his voice would make things better, and it did, but it also added a new level to my sorrow. Not only did I lose this job, but it also meant that I might be seen as less than, less than what I thought I deserved. My skill set was pretty specific. I understood the products we sold—nothing more, nothing less. I was going to have to start from the bottom up.

When I got home, my mate was already there, waiting for me. He pulled me into a hug, letting me sob into his shoulder. When I finally pulled myself back together, we went inside. At least we weren't still giving the neighbors a show. It wasn't a fun one, but it existed, and it was free.

"Tell me everything." He held both my hands, grounding me.

And so I did. I recounted every detail, from the moment I was called into HR to the confusion over the misplaced inventory. He listened intently, his brow furrowed in concern.

"It doesn't make sense."

"Agreed."

"They talked about misplaced equipment. Do you think…do you think maybe it has something to do with all of the new busywork you guys have been doing? Like maybe they're amping up another division and it's on the hush hush?" We still hadn't figured out what was up with the mass spectrometers in AIDEN, so it would make sense if it was in conjunction with the company, that they might be willing to help keep trails closed.

I thought about it, and I hated to think about how probable his hypothesis was, but it was time to face it.

"I'm scared." My voice trembled. "I don't know what I'm going to do. My resume is all tied up in this company. It's the only place I've worked since college. I don't know where to start."

"We'll figure it out." My mate squeezed my hands. "You're not alone in this. We'll start by updating your resume, getting it out there. You have skills, valuable ones. It might not feel like it right now, but you're more than just this job."

I nodded, trying to believe him. But the fear was still there, gnawing at the edges of my mind. The job market wasn't exactly thriving, and the idea of starting over was daunting. Worse than that was the possibility that I got a job that was out of state was significant.

"What if it is connected to things at AIDEN?" I hated to even think it.

"I'll be extra careful and keep my eyes open." He pressed a sweet kiss to my forehead. "Now let's get you showered and comfy."

"Only if you shower with me."

"That was the plan, mate. That was the plan."