As I enter the apartment, trying to quell the trepidation of my future call with Brad, I'm greeted by the sweet sunrays sneaking their way through the blinds of my window in the kitchen. None of my neighbors are stirring. Everyone is in their own world right now, and my world is quiet.

I slip my shoes off by the door, and I make my way to the kitchen to make myself some peppermint tea. To help with nerves plus it's a warm treat even on a warmer day.

As the kettle heats up, I head back to my office, where I plug in my admin login for the last time.

I made sure to finish all the little, goony responsibilities that Brad made sure to keep reminding me of every second of every day for the past two weeks. Brad and I scheduled the exit interview during our lunch break, and I had no issues with it. Once this is over, I'll make myself some lunch, give Sophie and Terry a call, and we'll see what the rest of the day has in store for me.

I hear the whistle of the kettle and dash out of my office into the kitchen to take the kettle off the stove and turn the stove off. I pull out one of my favorite mugs that's shaped like an open rose and pour in the water, then I add my peppermint tea packet. Once it's done brewing, I bring my cup with me to the office and place it gently on my desk.

My desk has started to look less like a hazard zone and more like a real desk. I started to use mason jars for all of my office supplies, which helps keep me organized and gives me more space. All my pictures are still there, but I bought a new picture frame for my desk, yet it remains empty. There will come a picture worth putting in. I know something will happen this summer that says, "You won't want to forget this moment."

I check my watch. 12:02. I'm late.

The smile on my face grows as I click on the join meeting, where I'm greeted with Brad's patchy beard and sad eyes. I won't miss them.

"Hello, Lucy! Have you been keeping up with everything that needs to get done today? You realize it's your last day right," he laughs as he says the last part like he is an unknown comedian whose life is about to change today. Only one of our lives is going to change today.

"Yes, Brad. Everything is completed and ready, so I will send them to you once this exit interview is over."

"Great, great! Wonderful. I guess you'll be taking an early day."

He laughs again, and he laughs with silence, which is quickly replaced by an awkward cough and averted eyes.

"You had your therapist appointment earlier, right? How... how did that go?"

Once I had my breakdown, if you will, I informed Brad that I would be seeing a therapist on a weekly basis earlier in February. I tried to fit into her weekends, but nothing worked, so I told Brad I would take time off during the week for my appointments. He actually spat out his coffee when I told him that. I was unphased by his antics, and he tried to play it off, but he couldn't act. Not at all.

Brad didn't seem to care, but he began to look at me like I had a disease. He never once asked why I was going to therapy, but he continually asks the question of if it is going well. I should tell him it's going so well that that's why I'm leaving.

But I say the usual. "It's good, Brad. Thanks for asking."

Brad goes straight into business asking all the standard questions of an exit interview. Why I'm leaving, what did I enjoy about working here, how did I view him as a manager, what my career goals are, recommendations for improvement, questions regarding pay and benefits, and would I stay.

I answer everything to my best ability with honesty and restraint. It's not particularly that I'm looking for a recommendation from them or that I don't want to burn this bridge. I just want to end things respectfully. They were the job that got me out on my own, but I'm better off without them, so it's time to say goodbye.

"You have done nothing but good work for this company, Lucy. I'm sorry that I, as well as other staff, did not appreciate you enough or look after you as we should have. That's our fault."

Brad looks remorseful and sincere. It's an odd mixture. He hasn't even complained about anything throughout this entire conversation.

"Thank you for the apology, Brad. It won't make me stay, but I appreciate it nevertheless. Don't feel guilty as if this is something bad for me. This new job is going to be exciting, and I'm looking forward to the challenge. Please take care of the other people who are in my position. Also, try not to complain as much. You have a good family and a good job as far as I know, but if things are not working, then you need to be the one to change. Not the people around but you. Just a little tip from someone in therapy."

I offer Brad a smile as he looks stunned by what I said. I've never so much as made a gesture, a reaction when he complained. Not once during the year I have gotten to know him. I wish him luck with everything in his future.

"Goodbye, Brad."

I hang up the call button before anything else can be said. A blank screen is staring back at me as I come to terms with what is happening now.

My life as a transcriber is over.

* * *

I sip on my tea as I make myself some lunch, feeling elated and overwhelmed at the same time. Of course, this was the right decision, and I don't regret it, but it's still sad in a way.

Jennifer told me it was completely normal to feel that way, especially considering how much this job meant to me in the beginning. It was the stepping stone to getting my life on track. It was a lighthouse, guiding me into independence. As it turns out, that lighthouse was rotting, and I couldn't save any ships. I couldn't save myself.

Now, it's different, but the grief still lingers, so I do what they tell me to do. I feel those feelings. I feel the bitterness, the joy, the frustration, and the excitement. I let it in, and I let it out.

Lunch is easy as I make a grilled cheese with tomato soup. I enjoy it all, making sure to use the bread to get every last drop of the soup.

Afterwards, I clean up as I call Sophie. The phone rings once, twice, and on the third ring, she picks up like she just ran a marathon.

"Hello! Lucy! Hello, how are you? How did your exit interview go? How was your last day?"

The way Sophie talks to me reminds me more of a mom and less like a boss, but it's endearing, and I enjoy the fact that she wants to know me. I tell her how the exit interview went, and I told her how it feels bittersweet. She tells me how she understands and how she felt that way about every single of her jobs, no matter how much she liked it or not. She told me it's a part of our lives, and as long as we don't regret working there, we will always feel some type of way about it.

I ask her how everything is going on at the bakery, and she dives into it. She tells me about how things are going with getting the equipment in, how the flooring isn't finished yet, and how she can't buy anymore ingredients because they can't store them there, so they are just flooding their kitchen at home. 

She asks me again and again if I want to take any off her hands since she can't do much with them at her home right now. I inform her that I am one of the worst bakers I know, telling her stories how no matter how much I tried with making treats for friends, for family, and especially Jack, they never turned out good. She insisted that was nonsense, and she'll just have to give me a lesson in the bakery. The kindness and the warmth that Sophie emits carries through the phone, and I start to feel more assured and excited about this new chapter in my life.

"Oh Lucy dear, let me make sure to tell you that because of how everything is shaking out at the bakery, Terry and I decided we would postpone our opening another week. Will you be alright if we wait another week before opening?"

Sophie's concern echoes through the phone as I reassure her everything will be fine if it is one more week. I tell her how it will be nice that I can relax and enjoy myself for a bit before we get started. Sophie's excitement for me is quickly forgotten as Terry tells her something else going on at the bakery.

"If it's not one thing, it's another! Well, enjoy your week, Lucy, and we'll get back to you with the details sometime later! Take care!"

"You too, Sophie!"