I was stumped for something to write about this month. I have been working on a book due to my editor next month. Plus, I need to review the edits for my mother\u2019s first devotional. I\u2019m so proud of her. I went on the hunt for something from my blog and came up short. However, I found something I thought would be good to share\u2026my first published work.
I had the privilege of writing a piece for Christian Fiction Online Magazine (I don\u2019t know if it\u2019s still publishing). I remember being so excited at the opportunity. Looking back now, I see how different my writing is. I used to use this as a free download for new subscribers. I took it down, because it no longer represented my writing style. In looking at the publish date, I discovered it was the fourteenth anniversary of my first published writing piece. Talk about shocked. I can\u2019t believe it\u2019s been that long since I began my writing career.
Here\u2019s my first short story. Tell me what you think. If you\u2019ve read any of my current works, this will be extremely difference. Trust me, I won\u2019t be offended by your comments. See you next month.
_____________________
CAREER REBORN
(Published 01.21.2010 Christian Fiction Online Magazine)
I had been wanting to quit my job for the past year and a half, but the timing was never right. But fortunately, that is no longer an issue. My boss was fired last week, and it seems likely that everyone on her team will be fired as well, leaving me, her assistant, or as she referred to me \u201cThe person she was forced to hire,\u201d jobless.
I know God hears me when I pray, and I was trusting Him to show me what to do next. But in the meantime, I put on my favorite black Prada skirt and pumps, black cashmere sweater, and the floral print Hermes scarf my generous but scathing boss gave me for my last birthday, and grabbed my most recent Christmas gift from her, a black leather YSL Muse handbag. I figured mourning attire would be appropriate, since I was on my way to the funeral service for my dead career. I took one last look in the mirror, picked up my keys, and walked out the door, not quite sure how painful today\u2019s meeting with Human Resources would be.
I treated every step of this morning\u2019s walk to work like a funeral procession, absorbing everything in sight and unsure if I would travel down this street again. When I arrived at my office building, I rode the elevator with the rest of the people from my boss\u2019s team, each of us quietly staring at the brass doors, trying not to look at one another. As the doors opened and we exited the elevator to our new futures, we were greeted by Marcy Gibbons, the head of Human Resources.
No greeting. No smile. Just her curt command: \u201cFollow me.\u201d Surely an omen of what was to come. She turned and led the way down the hall. We followed her into the conference room and took seats around the large oval mahogany table, waiting for the official word ending our time with the company. As we fidgeted in our seats, still avoiding eye contact, the door whooshed opened. Mr. Thomas, the head of the company, strode in. This was a first. In all the years I\u2019ve worked here, I have never known him to personally fire anyone. He didn\u2019t even fire my boss. He never lowered himself to deal with such menial tasks; he left those duties to Marcy.
He surveyed the room. \u201cGood morning, everyone. As you know, Christina was let go, and after careful examination of your collective work, I have uncovered some rather interesting information.\u201d
As his voice rumbled around the room, I looked over at Marcy, sitting as still as a statue.
\u201cMarcy and I have come up with a plan to handle this unique situation.\u201d
He cleared his voice and our eyes met. Instead of feeling nervous, I was very calm. Okay, God, hit me with it. I know whatever it is You have planned for me, You have also instilled in me everything I need to do it.
Marcy stood and walked around the table, handing everyone a packet with their names printed on the outside. When she came to me she walked past without giving me anything. Okay, I guess that means as Christina\u2019s assistant I won\u2019t be getting a severance package like every one else. I shifted a little in my seat and placed my hands in my lap. All eyes were on me, but I remained calm.
\u201cJillian Morgan.\u201d A chill ran up my spine when Mr. Thomas called my name. \u201cSir.\u201d When senior level executives are fired, it\u2019s customary to fire their assistants as well. And in extreme situations, their entire team is demoted.
\u201cYou worked for Christina for five years, giving you access and insight to every account her team handled. Is that correct?\u201d
\u201cYes, sir.\u201d
\u201cAnd is it true that among your many duties, you assigned the territories to each manager, developed the team strategies, composed the quarterly reports for upper management, and did the team\u2019s bonus reviews?\u201d
\u201cYes, sir.\u201d I needed a good review for my next job, so if ever there was a time to toot my own horn, it was now.
His eyes locked on to mine. \u201cTell me, Jillian, when exactly did you start doing Christina\u2019s job?\u201d Busted. I thought my duties for Christina were a secret. Now I know I\u2019m getting fired . . . and without severance.
\u201cUhm, I-I . . .\u201d I cleared my throat and looked around the room at all of the people on Christina\u2019s team. They all thought she was a genius, generous, and a dynamic leader. After all, every year the strategies the team had employed worked; they exceeded their goals and got big fat bonuses. \u201cShe had me . . . I mean . . . for the past four years.\u201d
\u201cI see.\u201d He nodded his head and looked over at Marcy before continuing. \u201cCome here, please.\u201d I got up and walked over and stood next to him. \u201cI have reviewed every report this team has filed in the past three and a half years and discovered the change in productivity occurred when Jillian arrived. I know you all thought you were being fired, but there\u2019s been a change in plans. No one is being fired.\u201d
A collective sigh resonated around the room.
\u201cHowever, Jillian, you will no longer be allowed to stay on as an executive assistant.\u201d
No surprise there. My stomach clenched.
\u201cInstead, I am promoting you to Senior Director for this team.\u201d
\u201cExcuse me?\u201d I couldn\u2019t keep my mouth from hanging open as he extended his hand to congratulate me. How had I gone from a lowly assistant to Senior Director? Thank you, God. I shook my head trying to process everything. I looked around the room and everyone was smiling.
\u201cThere is nothing wrong with this team. You all work well together. And I believe with Jillian at the helm, you will continue to do even better. Keep up the good work.\u201d
\u201cThank you, Mr. Thomas. We won\u2019t let you down.\u201d He shook my hand as everyone jumped to their feet and applauded. All I could do was try not to faint.
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I was stumped for something to write about this month. I have been working on a book due to my editor next month. Plus, I need to review the edits for my mother’s first devotional. I’m so proud of her. I went on the hunt for something from my blog and came up short. However, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":477,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1375],"tags":[],"featured_image_urls":{"full":"","thumbnail":"","medium":"","medium_large":"","large":"","1536x1536":"","2048x2048":"","mbt_book_image":"","mbt_endorsement_image":"","theme-large":"","theme-half":"","theme-third":"","theme-fourth":"","theme-thumbnail":""},"post_excerpt_stackable":"
I was stumped for something to write about this month. I have been working on a book due to my editor next month. Plus, I need to review the edits for my mother’s first devotional. I’m so proud of her. I went on the hunt for something from my blog and came up short. However, I found something I thought would be good to share…my first published work. I had the privilege of writing a piece for Christian Fiction Online Magazine (I don’t know if it’s still publishing). I remember being so excited at the opportunity. Looking back now, I…<\/p>\n","category_list":"Writing<\/a>","author_info":{"name":"Tracy Reed","url":"https:\/\/www.asliceoforange.net\/author\/tracy-reed\/"},"comments_num":"0 comments","featured_image_urls_v2":{"full":"","thumbnail":"","medium":"","medium_large":"","large":"","1536x1536":"","2048x2048":"","mbt_book_image":"","mbt_endorsement_image":"","theme-large":"","theme-half":"","theme-third":"","theme-fourth":"","theme-thumbnail":""},"post_excerpt_stackable_v2":"