Unknown

"You have thirty minutes to get your personal items and then I will escort you off the property." Said Mike, the head security guard for Bolder Brands main office. He handed me one of the ugly brown boxes we give terminated employees. I opened the door to my office, well technically my old office. I walk in leaving the door open behind me. I had spent the last six years working in this office and the last nine years working for Bolder Brands and it only took me a couple minutes to burn it all to the ground. I started out as a front desk receptionist at eighteen. I had only been in the city for two months and all I had walking in the doors was a highschool diploma and the personal phone number of one of the HR managers. Some how I talked my way into an entry level spot and after two years and a lot of overtime I was promoted to head secretary. A year after that the CEO named me his personal assistant and secretary. I spent so much time working that everyone knew me personally. Well they knew the me I pretended to be personally. I'm not even sure if I know the true me anymore. I spent so long being the person everyone else wanted that I forgot all about who I wanted to be. My office wasn't big but it had a great view. The outside wall was one giant window and you could see the entire city from it. My desk sat facing the door and across from the desk was two chairs. On one wall to the right was a door to the CEOs office and on the other was a short but long bookshelf. Looking down at my ugly brown box I realized there wasn't much in is this office that I wanted or needed anymore. Everything that I had hung on the walls and decorated with was so basic that I felt nauseous just looking at it all. How had I been so okay with it all? Letting out a small sigh I sat the empty box down on the desk and walked over to the bookshelf. The only thing I wanted was setting on it. With a genuine smile on my face I picked up my bamboo plant. It was given to me last year as a birthday gift. My smile grows bigger as I look at it. A giant cartoon panda, with rainbows and moons in the background cover the giant pot. It's hand painted and I love it. And it's the only thing I want from this place. Hugging my plant snugly against my chest I walk back out. I spot Mike standing about twenty feet away with his back facing me. "I'm done when ever you are ready Mike!" I holler with excitement as I walk towards him. A small smile grows across his face as he looks at what I'm carrying "Is that all you are taking?" He asks trying not to laugh. "Yup! It's the only thing that matters to me." I say looking up at him. Mike leads me to the elevator while slowly shaking his head. With his big build blond hair and blue eyes Mike looks like your basic good ol'boy type but he's not. He's one of the nicest and gentlest people I have ever met. He was such a mess when his childhood dog died a few years ago that he had to take off work. And he once drove ten hours out of state just to get an orphaned possum to someone who could take care of it. We silently ride the elevator to the bottom floor and head out the front door. "Are you okay?" Asks Mike as we get to the edge of the sidewalk. "Believe it or not I'm actually the happiest I've been in a long time." "Not surprised by that at all." Mike chuckles as we cross the street. I parked in the lot across the street so I don't have to risk seeing anyone as I leave. "So when are you leaving?" "Heading right out actually." "Are you allowed to do that? Like legally?" He asks while looking at me like I have two heads. I had gotten myself into trouble about two months ago and ended up with criminal charges. "Yup! I signed everything this morning. As long as I stay out of trouble I'm good. " I say as I put my plant in my passenger seat. "Well I'll let Angie know. She's gonna love the fact that all you took out of that prison was the plant she gave you." He says laughing. Angie is Mike's wife and looks wise his complete opposite. She has big hazel eyes and keeps her hair cut super short and is small and petit. She's the most beautiful woman I have ever met both inside and out. And her Jamaican accent is the most soothing sound. I became friends with Mike and Angie about three years ago. I had just left work when I spotted a woman on the side of the road with a flat tire. I pulled over and changed the tire for her all while wearing heels and a skirt. It was Angie I helped and Mike pulled up just as I put up the jack. He was completely surprised that I even knew how to change a tire let alone that I did it in heels. I begged him not to tell anyone at the office about it and he agreed. I was so worried about people seeing me as something other than feminine. He never told and I quickly became best friends with him and Angie. "I'm going to miss you guys so damn much." I say looking at Mike. He pulls me in for a hug and tells me to stay out of trouble. Before I loose my determination I walk around to my driver's side door and quickly climb in. Mike stands a few feet away watching as I start my car and back out. I've got a six hour drive ahead of me and I need to get going. I never thought I would be leaving the city to head back to my little ass home town. But I also never thought I would have a complete mental break down, put someone in the hospital, and loose my whole career either but I did.