2nd Letter of the day

Dear Shell,
You're lucky today, you get two letters! Writers Digest had a new writing prompt today, and I couldn't resist it. This is another of the 500 words or less challenges.

After 42 years with your company, the day has finally arrived: your last day of work. Your coworkers throw you a lunch retirement party. After cake, one coworker asks you to reflect on your years with the company. So you do—and you hold nothing back.

“Lunchtime!” Mary called out as she glanced into our department. “Joanna, make sure you’re at the lunchroom on time today!” she took off running down to the next department.

I closed the program I was working on, grabbed my purse and headed toward the lunchroom. My co-workers thought they were surprising me with a party, but none of them was capable of keeping a secret, unlike me. Oh well, I’ll pretend to be surprised to make them happy.

I turned the corner and opened the door to the lunchroom. “SURPRISE!” I jumped back, put my hand to my heart and opened my eyes wide. “Are you trying to give an old woman a heart attack?”

“Old woman, my ass,” Jack grinned at me as he handed me a plate. They had gone all out on this luncheon; they ordered sandwiches and salads from the deli across the street, and someone baked a cake.

I finished my sandwich and headed straight for that cake. Cutting a generous slice, I stood next to the table and slowly ate the delicious treat.

“So Joanna, you were here for a very long time. Can you tell us about how the company’s changed over the years, or things you really liked?” Connie asked.

I thought for a few moments, after all, 42 years is a long time. “I hired in at age 18 and I was just an office drone at first. I filed papers, I made phone calls. And I worked my way up through the offices to my current position. I helped push to get a 401K program for the employees, and was on the campaign for better health care. Actually, I’m surprised they didn’t fire me a few times for all the fuss I raised.” I paused for a moment to collect my thoughts.

“The 401K program has only been active in the company for the last 10 years. That’s not a lot of time to build up a retirement fund. Are you sure you’re going to be okay?” Connie looked at me, worry crossing her face.

“Yes I’ll be fine, I knew long before we got that program that I needed to save what I could. I’ve been saving for a long time.” I answered her question. I continued reflecting on my years at the company “This is a very good company to work for. They’ve always treated their employees fairly, and they are not constantly looking over people’s shoulders to see what they are doing. People are able to just do their work and go home, without feeling like they are watched all the time.”

Connie still didn’t look convinced. “Joanna, I’m just worried about you. Our economy is so bad right now, what little you would have had in your 401K is even smaller now. And savings accounts never make much in interest.”

I just smiled at her, because I knew how much I had saved. I’m an accountant. I was very, very good at my job.

(498 words)

Thanks,

Shell