Previous Challenge Entry
Topic: Rejection (11/15/04)
TITLE: They Don’t Want Me Anymore By Jean Boulmay 11/21/04 |
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Turning her head from side to side, short, curly brown hair shook violently. A look of bewilderment etched her face. Caught by surprise at the unexpected turn of events, Sandy glanced in both directions of the street, not knowing which way to proceed. Clutching the small box encasing two children’s pictures, and a small potted flower, she slowly turned to her right.
Father, what am I going to do now? She prayed silently. Sandy worked, as a secretary, for the family owned law firm of Crandle and Sons. At least she did until about ten minutes ago.
“THIS IS NOT FAIR! I am a good worker, and do NOT cause problems in the office. They are replacing me with KAREN??? She’s the one causing problems, and they won’t even listen to what I have to say!” In a voice trembling with hurt and disbelief, she spoke aloud, oblivious to the stares of passing strangers. Reaching in her pocket, she grasped a small box of tissues. “After two years of loyalty and hard work…they don’t want me anymore,” she said, barely audible.
That night at the dinner table, Sandy listened to ten-year old Sara, and eight-year old Mark, chatter happily about friends and school. Smiling, she watched Sara patiently explain something to her brother. Turning to look at Mark, Sandy couldn’t help but laugh. Unconcerned with his sister’s helpful remarks, his thoughts were on other things. With an impish grin, he grabbed the last cookie.
Sandy had been through tough times before, but she was blessed with two beautiful children. She was grateful. She tried hard to make up for an absent father, since a divorce several years earlier. The children’s father was not part of their lives. The “other woman” had no desire for a ready-made family. Well, their dad and stepmother might not want them, but Sara and Mark were not unwanted children…..Sandy wanted them both!
Pulling the warm, fuzzy blanket up around her face, Sandy stretched out in the queen-sized bed. Exhausted, she closed her eyes. “Lord, I need your help,” she prayed. Hot tears stung her eyes as old feelings of not being wanted flooded over her. “Jesus, you said to ask ANYTHING of the Father, in your name. So, that’s what I am doing. I am asking for a job, and soon! I am also asking for help with this anger I feel. I leave it all in your hands.”
The neat, cheery kitchen, lit up with sunlight streaming through the large window over the sink. Sandy, in a brightly colored flannel robe, stood at the cook stove, flipping a slightly overdone pancake. Smiling and nodding, she waved a red-handled spatula in the air, indicating the clock. The school bus would be arriving any minute. Gulping down last bites of pancakes and milk, Sara and Mark darted for the door, leaving Sandy with sticky plates to clean. In deep thought, she placed the last of the breakfast dishes in the dishwasher. “A hot shower, then better work on my resume,” she said in a firm voice, wiping up the last bit of crumbs from the yellow Formica counter. Startled, she jumped. The morning paper had arrived!
Hair still damp, Sandy studied the employment section of the paper. Giving a silent prayer, she circled several ads that looked promising. “Should do for starters,” she said, heading for the desk, in the far corner of the living room. Plopping down on soft brown leather, she stared at the blank computer screen.
Several long hours later, the small office chair rolled back. Sandy stood, stretching her arms over her head, yawning. Eyeing the stack of letters, stamped, and ready for delivery, she sighed. Updating her resume, and typing cover letters, had taken longer than anticipated.
Shoving the last letter through the post office slot, Sandy smiled. Feeling pangs of excitement, she thought about her new place of employment. Sandy did not yet know where she would be working. But, she knew something more important. There was a place where she was wanted, and a job meant just for her. Peace washed over Sandy, as she realized…she personally knew the one in charge of hiring!