The following day, work passed by the normal way Thursdays sometimes do. Emails, minor deadlines, small conversations in between.
Then Mr. Hillary walked in.
He stopped just inside the open-plan area with his hands in his pockets. "Amelia, Megan, Casey. You three can close out for the day. Head home."
We all glanced at each other, exchanging looks of confusion, then back at him.
I blinked at my screen, double-checking the time. "It’s… 3:15 pm. Its there an issue?"
He gave a small, almost amused shrug. "Not at all. No issue. Just the three of you today. Every other employee stays on schedule."
Megan’s eyebrows shot up. Casey tilted her head like she was trying to read fine print that wasn’t there.
"Uh… okay?" I said slowly. "Is everything alright?"
"Everything’s fine," he replied,
