Member-only story
One Pivotal Moment Can Change Everything
The day a stranger’s words changed the trajectory of my life
“You’re better than all of them,” the calm, steady voice came from behind me. It was Gary, the business consultant hired to fix the failing company where I worked. He found me in my hiding place, the cool, dark corner of the warehouse where I escaped after having enough office drama.
This is where I came to have a cry when I didn’t want my co-workers to see how they hurt me. I hated it when my boss Jack put me in the crappy position of being the bad guy, drawing everyone’s anger as he played the beloved hero.
“Hey,” Gary interrupted my thoughts, “you really are better than all of them. Wear their hate like a badge of honor.” He pulled up a wooden crate and sat next to me. Then I spoke, releasing the tide of emotion I’d held inside way too long.
The dam broke and words tumbled out, spilling over like a raging waterfall. I had fallen far, leaving a successful corporate job to start a business before the divorce had stolen everything. I shared my tale of failure in excruciating detail.
Gary listened quietly, nodding occasionally until I finished. My voice trailed off in exhaustion and silence stretched between us, devouring the space my words had filled.
