Page 32 of The Game Is Afoot

“So I’m not going to tell you not to do this because I know you will anyway—”

“And you would be correct.”

He laughs, and it feels like sunshine on my skin after being stuck in office air-conditioning all day. “But just…take it easy, don’t let it take over your life like last time.”

I want to remind him that if ithadn’ttaken over my life last time, then Principal Smith might not have been found until it was too late. I wouldn’t have the extra money in my savings account that makes this unexpected unemployment less terrifying.Wewouldn’t have found this relationship.

But I’m also sitting on my bed in the middle of a completelyfree weekday, and I’m choosing to spend it writing down suspects in a gratitude journal I bought in the name of self-care. A gratitude journal that I couldn’t even make myself doonepage of when its only purpose was to help me.

He’s not wrong that when given the chance, I will put everything in the world before myself.

Still, my time is my own again, and I get to decide how to spend it—hejust said that. I finally have the space to do what makes me feel good. And Idofeel good right now, especially compared to this morning. Instead of overwhelmed and exhausted, I feel…useful. Present.Balanced.

It’s like the messy desk in my brain was cleared off, and I have control over what gets put back on there. Pearl. Jack. A slow, intentional job search. A possible murder investigation. There’s lots more room for it all with Project Window’s sprawling, infuriating piles swept right into the trash.

I hear the rustling of his hand over the receiver and the murmur of children’s voices. “Sorry, one of my small groups is here. I have to go.”

“It’s okay. And I hear you, I promise. But I’m all good. I feel better than ever, actually.”

Hi Mavis,

I really hope that you’ll reconsider your decision today. Can we hop on a call or a Microsoft Teams meeting to discuss? I’ll hold off on locking your accounts until I hear back from you!

If it’s about the DEIB meeting…I wasn’t actually going to say the words, only the first letters. Just so you know. And I really think it would have been so much better if you had delivered it like we had originally planned. If you do decide to come back, I can double the stipend!

Anxiously awaiting your reply!!

Warm Regards,

Rose

PS: I’ve attached a Word document that I need to convert into a PDF…can you help me with this for old times’ sake (haha)? I tried to do it the way you showed me, but I just can’t get the hang of it. Maybe you can send screenshots with directions if you’re really not coming back? Nelson says he doesn’t know how to do it either.

——

Rose Johannes

Executive Director

Project Window

Please consider the environment before printing this email.

Mavis,

I knew it was going to be a shit show, Rose delivering a diversity training, and I should have stepped in and shut the thing down as soon as she tried and failed to do that land acknowledgment. But I guess that doesn’t help you now, does it? I’m sorry, I don’t know why I’m even sending this. I think I feel like this is all my fault? You really deserved my job. I wouldn’t have applied if I knew they were passing over someone as qualified as you to hire me. I would quit if it meant you would get it but…we both know it doesn’t work that way. Also, Rebecca filed the divorce papers last week, so I really need the money. I hope you understand. I know you’ll land somewhere great in no time.

Sincerely,

Nelson

——

Nelson Nelson

Program Director

Project Window

---