Chapter Forty-One
Mei and Erika agreed that the Friday after Livin Forum would be her last day.
So once she was back in New York, Mei prepared for her exit.
She saved work samples, wrapped up her major projects, and wrote a transition document.
The goals tracker no longer held a death grip on her.
Mei could mark off items without her heart racing.
In her final days, more than a dozen colleagues reached out to express their dismay at James and Erika’s Livin Forum presentation.
“I couldn’t believe they were bragging about replacing the brand team with AI,” said Steve, a program manager who’d joined Livin from the music industry. “I need to start looking. They’re going to replace me soon, too.”
“You’d think that after all their talk about inclusivity and belonging, they’d see that their video was whack,” said Layla, a marketing ops manager.
“It probably doesn’t feel like it now, but your work has made a huge difference,” said Ash, a creative director who’d been a key partner in making the Livin brand more inclusive. “Your legacy will live on.”
Mei thanked each person gratefully. When folks asked why she was leaving, she was honest: She told them she didn’t agree with Julian’s leadership, nor the direction James and Erika were taking the marketing department.
She was going to take some time to focus on her mental health, then find a new job aligned with her values.
· · ·
On Friday morning, Mei walked into Livin’s headquarters. Sunlight bathed the open space. The colorful couches appeared more vibrant than ever. Mei gazed at the massive street art mural: “Livin the Dream.”
For so long, this had been it. Now she was off to chase other dreams.
Erika had been cool to her all week, so Mei wasn’t expecting any kind of send-off. Sure enough, Erika pinged her on Slack a few minutes later.
Happy last day! Hope you can shut down early and head out!
That’s all? Mei assumed they’d have a quick sync before she left.
Thanks, Erika. Do you want to meet for a few minutes?
Erika wrote back a second later.
No need! Just email me your transition doc before you go. Best wishes!
Mei stared at the message. After nearly three years, she was expected to show herself out the door? What kind of manager didn’t take a moment to say goodbye? Then it dawned on her. Erika would no longer benefit from Mei’s work. She no longer had any use for her.
Mei took a calming breath. She could just leave early. What was keeping her there?
She texted Ali. Her sister had mentioned something about taking the day off because Kaia’s school was closed for teacher training.
Are you and Kaia around today? Can I come up for lunch?
Ali replied immediately.
ABSOLUTELY!
Mei sent Erika her transition doc, emailed her colleagues a goodbye note, and turned in her laptop. Then, with one last glance at the “Livin the Dream” sign, Mei strode out of Livin headquarters for the final time.
She rode the train north. At her stop, Ali, Luc, and Kaia ran over to greet her. Mei grinned wildly, even as tears pooled in her eyes—all the emotions from the last few days, weeks, months, pouring out.
They drove to a nearby Chinese restaurant and got seated at a sunny table.
“I’m so glad you’re done with that place,” Ali said. “You deserve so much better.”
“I do,” Mei agreed. Now she knew that for sure.
“I’m happy you’re taking time off,” Luc said.
“I need to process all this and recover. Thank god for therapy.” Besides rent, paying for health insurance and weekly sessions with Violet were going to be Mei’s biggest expenses.
She’d never skimp on therapy, though. In their last session, Mei told Violet she wanted to start digging into her workaholic tendencies—what she used them to hide from, and why.
“Good,” Ali said. “Keep going. Let us know if you need help with money, fun weekend plans, anything.”
“I should be okay, moneywise.” Ironically, her apartment—the one she’d initially despised—and its cheap rent, was the reason she’d replenished her savings enough to quit Livin without another job. “Now I can come up and spend more time with you.”
“We’d love that.”
A waiter came over bearing plates of plump dumplings and thick noodles stir-fried with vegetables.
Mei looked from Ali to Luc to Kaia. “I couldn’t have done this without you. Thanks for being there for me.” She dabbed her eyes as tears welled up again.
Ali hugged her. “We’ll always look out for each other. You’ve taken care of me, too, especially when we were kids. Now it’s my turn.”
They tucked into the food and chatted about hikes they could do the next time Mei visited. Hiking reminded Mei of Alexandre, sending a wave of sadness through her.
“How’s Alexandre these days?” she asked. “How was North Dakota?”
Ali and Luc shared a look.
Mei’s stomach dropped. “He took the job, didn’t he?”
Luc rolled his eyes. “He’s telling his boss this afternoon.”
Mei checked her phone. 12:43. Alexandre had a standing biweekly with Dr. Johnson on Fridays at two.
She dipped a dumpling in chili oil. Thoughts swirled through her mind.
When you know, you know.
You only have one life.
I’d rather be living.
All the chatter resolved into one person, his hair slightly mussed, his intelligent eyes bright with urgency. You deserve all the love and happiness in the world. You’re worthy of everything.
Mei glanced at her phone again. 12:48.
“Any chance you feel like driving up to New Paltz?”
A smile spread across Ali’s face.
Luc’s eyes glinted. “Let’s go.”
· · ·
“We’re about forty minutes away?” Mei asked when they got in the car. She pulled up the New Paltz biology page on her phone and searched for Alexandre’s office.
“Yup.” Luc merged onto the highway. “We should arrive right before Alexandre’s meeting.”
“What are you going to do when you get there?” Ali asked from the front passenger seat.
“I’m not sure.” What was she thinking, rushing up to New Paltz? Was she going to throw herself at Alexandre’s feet while confessing her love? Beg him to stay?
“Are you doing something important?” Kaia asked from her car seat beside her.
“Yes,” Mei said. “Your uncle Alexandre and I made a pact—a promise to each other. And I’m going to keep it.”
“Want my lucky cat?” Kaia held out a stuffed white cat with one paw raised.
Mei carefully tucked the feline into her pocket. “Thanks, Kaia. I can use all the luck I can get.”
Luc pulled into the SUNY New Paltz visitors lot. “One forty-one. Right on time.” He turned in his seat to hug her. “Good luck, Mei. If anyone can talk some sense into my bonehead brother, it’s you.”
Mei kissed Kaia on the cheek, then jumped out of the car.
Ali ran around to her. Mei pulled her into a tight embrace. Her sister was her greatest gift. No matter what came next for her, in love and in life, Mei would be okay as long as she had Ali.
“Remember what I said about you always going after what you want?” Ali asked.
Mei nodded.
“Now go get your guy.”
Mei laughed. “I can’t believe I’m doing this.”
Ali grinned and gave her a final squeeze. “I can. Love you.”
“Love you, too.”