Laura's hand trembled around the phone.
"They fired me."
For a moment there was only the hollow rush of traffic in the background and the faint static of the call.
Then Daniel spoke.
"What?"
The word was quiet. Controlled. Not surprised enough.
She clutched the phone tighter, like it might slip through her fingers.
"They fired me," she repeated, faster now. "Nathaniel called me up to the executive floor. HR was there. Security too. He said there were complaints and that I'm not qualified. He said— he said I came with nothing so I'd leave with nothing."
Her throat burned.
"I didn't even get to pack my things."
Another pause.
Longer this time.
She started pacing the pavement outside the building, heels clicking unevenly.
"Daniel, can you talk to him? You know people. You always know what to do. You said everything was under control. You said she didn't hear anything. So this is fine, right? This is just temporary. You'll fix it."
Her voice rose with each word.
