The Hospital
*
It started with a long day.
The HR consultant sat at the conference table, his brown sweater complemented by his brown portfolio. His white, unreadable face was as generic as his NDA.
I looked down at the paper on the table.
When Hope had told me to take the layoff, I’d battled with my own identity.
I was not someone who got in trouble.
I didn’t get fired or laid off. I was a hard worker who deserved to be seen as such.
I did not deserve this piece of paper, with the subject line in bold saying:
Notice of Employment Termination and Severance Agreement
“Your last day will be May 22nd, four weeks from now. Since you’ve been with the company for three years, we can offer you nine months of severance pay. During that time, you will have access to your benefits.”
I nodded, still in shock, as Hope handed me a pen. I raised a brow.
The HR representative droned on, “You’ll need to sign this and agree to the terms to receive your severance.”
I looked down as my head spun, finding glimpses of the various words that came with the gut punch of feeling like a failure.
Non-disclosure agreement
Non-Disparagement Clause
Class Action Waiver
Release of Claims
“What does all of this mean? Is there a reason I might be eligible for a class action lawsuit?”
Hope let out a slight cough, forcing me to look her in the eye. Her face stayed blank as her eyes told a story.
Do not press this.
I hesitated. I wanted to ask more.
“It’s just standard policy,” he said a little too quickly.
I nodded, then frowned. “How many days do I have to review this?”
The HR consultant dryly responded, “You must sign before this meeting ends.”
I scowled. “Is that legal? Aren’t I supposed to get time to review this?”
The consultant took a deep breath. “We must ensure you agree to the terms before the leave begins. We must ensure you do not discuss your severance with any existing, previous, or future employees.”
I wanted to snort but held it down.
I could just sign. I could take the money, shut up, and move on. But wasn’t that what The Man wanted? To make me feel so small that I’d take whatever scraps they handed me?
I had to consume my fight. It wouldn’t help this situation. Instead, I sighed.
“Let me read through it, and I’ll provide a signature.”
Hope nodded and said to the representative, “Let’s give her a moment in peace.”
When the others left the meeting room, the walls seemed to expand. I felt small at the table, like a child. The light was spotlighted directly on the white paper on the mile-long table.
I reread the words repeatedly as a vibration emerged from my trouser pocket.
I sighed, reached down, and muted my phone. I took a deep breath and focused on the letters, watching as they merged into words I recognized.
Then my phone buzzed once more.
I sighed, ripped it out of my pocket, and scowled, seeing it was Matt.
I started dismissing him with an answer, “Hey, this is an awful ti—”
“Mom is in the hospital.”
I frowned. “What?”
Matt sighed and replied, “Dad didn’t say precisely what happened. He just called me and said they admitted Mom to University Hospital.”
My stomach churned. I’d yelled at my mom yesterday, and now, she was in the hospital. If it were her being dramatic, they wouldn’t have admitted her.
Matt must have sensed my unease.
“Bree, it’s not your fault.”
I snorted. “I told her off for—”
“You told her off for behaving how she does, Bree. You did exactly what you should.”
I could feel tears forming. I started to shake as I opened my mouth to speak, but only let out a broken gasp. “I-I-I…”
Matt shifted in the background and said, “Listen to me right now. You will take this information, finish your work day, and then you and Robert will see Glenda and me at the hospital.”
I took a deep breath. “I was laid off today.”
Matt snorted. “That’s why you are being dramatic.”
I could feel rage growing in me. I scoffed as my brother continued, “I’m not trying to dismiss you. I’m saying that you are turning this into a ‘poor, pitiful me’ situation.”
“That sounds like a dismissal, Matt.”
“You know we’re not good at heart-to-hearts. So, show up to the hospital, see how Mom is doing, then the four of us will go somewhere so you three can get drunk and eat greasy food.”
I groaned, then frowned, “Well, let me sign this form from HR, and then I’ll meet you up.”
“Did it mention a class action?”
My eyes went wide. “Yes.”
Matt snorted. “What do you think they discriminated against you for by laying you off? Being a woman, a young adult, or sort of gay?”
At this, I laughed and said, “They told me it was boilerplate.”
“They are full of shit.”
I shook my head and smirked. Then, my heart clenched. “Am I making the right decision?”
“With Mom, your job, or this insane move?”
“All of it.”
Matt was silent for what felt like hours as I waited for a reply. My nausea got worse. Finally, he grumbled, “It’s the right decision for you. Will I resent you for leaving? Yes. Will you hate having to look for a new job? Of course.”
I chuckled. “Not helping.”
“Remember, we’re shit at this. But seriously. You need to go.”
I frowned. Paige believed in me. Robert begged me to go. But my family had always pulled the reins tighter until now.
“Wait, you want me to go?”
“Hell no. But you need to. You were never meant to stay here. You’ve been a dreamer since you were born. Mom tried to squash it. The world wanted to squash it. But I’m telling you, take this all as a moment to live your life. I want you to do that.”
It felt like Matt was sitting across the table from me, and it was no longer a mile long but a tiny café table. It wasn’t adult Matt. My ten-year-old brother had drafted a contract so I could play Nintendo with him.
I could only see myself as a six-year-old whirlwind with my feet dangling. It was like I was the version of myself I always felt: a child with no control over my life, with my big brother attempting to keep me in line.
Holding back tears, I took a deep breath and said, “I don’t want to do this all alone.”
“Kiddo, you’ve always been alone. The only difference is now, you know it.”