Page 97 of From No to O

Unless the deluge of hate mail generated by my column sways their opinion of me, as it’s sure to change Glenda’s.

Even Aunt Dede will turn her back on me. I’ll have to move back to my parents’ with my tail between my legs. If they’ll have me.

Glenda’s high-pitch laughter pierces my thoughts. God, they’re snickering at me now…

“Earth to Ava. Hello, dear. Are you all right? You look awfully pale,” she says.

My gaze snaps up to her. “Oh my gosh Glenda, I’m so sorry. Just lost in thought about how… great this issue turned out.”

She beams. “In that case, you may have missed that your column in today’s issue is a huge… hit!”

The room breaks into applause. I look around at all the smiles.

What’s going on? Are they clapping because I’m being fired?

“Way to go, girl,” Lana hollers over the racket.

What? Lana’s happy I’m fired? What kind of friend is that?

Wait. Even Cami’s clapping and beaming. Cami would not be happy if I were fired.

“Ava, comments on your column have exploded and it’s only,” —she looks at her watch— “nine a.m.”

“They have?” I croak. I reach for my phone to finally take a look for myself.

I pull up my article, and my eyes immediately fill with tears over the thoughts readers are sharing.

Until today, I thought I was the only one…

Ava, thank you for shedding light on this important issue…

I don’t feel so alone any more…

Glad you got your O on, girl…

We love you Ava…

I want to read more but the words blur through the tears filling my eyes. I bring my hand to my mouth to stifle a sob. I hate crying at work, but there’s no stopping now. In front of Glenda and all my coworkers, tears pour down my face like a damn waterfall, smearing my mascara and splattering on my phone screen. I scroll and scroll and pick out a few words here and there. They are all of love and support.

And honesty.

I look around the room. “Thank you…” I choke out. “Thank you for giving me a safe space…”

At the head of the table, Glenda nods. “Thank you, Ava, for giving our readers a safe space.”

* * *

“Congrats on your column.I read it and really liked it.”

I look up from my laptop, glad for an interruption. I can’t concentrate anyway.

“Thanks. Are you new?” I ask.

The pixie-haired brunette in front of me nods. “Yup. I’m in that cube over there,” she says pointing to where Pia used to sit. “Just arrived in New York. I’m psyched to be here.”

I was that girl, not long ago.

“Oh, wow. It’s nice to meet you. Welcome to Glisten and welcome to the big city. Want to have lunch today?” I ask.

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