It's Friday, Jan 11th and I couldn't be happier. I've declared today as my last day of work. I sprung out of bed with more energy and enthusiasm than I've had for the past three months combined! As I look in the mirror a warm smile greets me. I play some Rebelution as I go through my daily routine and on my walk to work Pandora couldn't have treated better. Every step of my two and a half mile walk had a spring to it. As I get to work I head up the elevator and greet my co workers on my way to the office. I share an inside joke or two, hug my brother, and realize that I'm actually on time for my last day. I take off my ear phones and clock in.
That was the last time I remember feeling that genuine happiness. The first ten days of the new year were nothing but smiles and good company. Including just hours into new years day being awoken from a drunken night to my best friend having a moment of true excitement and happiness. To see his mouth move and eyes light up in the height of an exciting positive occurrence with an unknown path after being in such a depressed state meant the world to me...probably as much as it did him. His happiness was infectious, and I knew no matter what came of his event, what the future holds for either of us, it was gonna be better than things were.
After I clock in, I get cornered by a suit in upper management and immediately sat down and questioned. Allegedly, I was responsible for a till of money that vanished. After what I thought was a general questioning I was immediately suspended and escorted off of the property. At that point it's not a questioning but an accusation. Livid, stunned, and confused I take a walk around trying to digest what went down.
I think to myself 'Okay, you just have to let them conduct their petty crime investigation and let them clear your name. Besides, you start your next job in two weeks. You're out of here and won't have to put up with their petty bullshit anymore.'
My new job has an affiliation with my old one and I think you can tell where this is headed. Yup, the "boss" who doesn't have a clue of my integrity, my mindset, or my tenure (which by the way I've been with the company way longer than he has, as well as both of my "supervisors") has not only a no trespassing order filed against me three days later but also is boneheaded enough to throw his weight around and have me terminated from a job that I, technically, haven't even finished the background check for.
So, my last day of work doesn't end in triumphant celebration, casual celebration...hell I didn't even get the chance to WORK on my last day of work. It went the complete opposite way. My life changed on a completely baseless accusation. All you can do is pack your bindlestick and move on. There's more out there. Some of that will treat you better, some of that will treat you worse. But you have to take the risk and keep searching, keep discovering, and keep learning.
Rent? Bills? Life? That doesn't matter to the suits who only look at cutting costs and managing labor hours. I can't say I didn't see this coming...but I didn't think it would be me. Anyway, that was my last day of work. It certainly brings an exciting start to the new year, doesn't it? Now I'm on the prowl for new work. Hopefully I'll get more writing/editing gigs. At least now I have more time for adventure. I'll get to talk to and meet new people. These are the things that make life interesting. Conversation. Learning. Listening. Loving. Sharing. Exploring. The unconventional path is unpaved and rougher with more thrills, chills, and curves but it'll always be worth it. Learn all that you can for tomorrow is in your hands.
