The Best Thing I Never Got

If life's a story, this part is a cautionary tale.

At least, that’s what it felt like standing in that little gray office while my boss (who’d said my name had come immediately to mind) suddenly couldn’t even look me in the eye after interviewing me for a promotion the day before.

“We’ve chosen our new person…and it wasn’t you.”

I stood there, willing my face to stay neutral while inside, I was a full-blown dumpster fire. Shocked and humiliated, feeling that disappointment that curdles in your stomach until it makes you sick.

At the time, it felt like the ultimate career rejection, the kind that leaves you questioning your value, your future...everything.

Because I had had hope. Stupid, wistful hope that maybe, finally, all the years of showing up, taking on extra duties, and dragging myself across the finish line of a degree at 40 were about to pay off.

Nope.

He was still talking. "We’ve decided to go in another direction. But you should hold your head high, you interviewed great…it’s just..."

Blah blah blah. Nothing but placating bullshit sprayed like Febreze on a fresh turd.

To me, it was more than just a “no,” it was a firm shove back into that damn back-corner cubicle with bad lighting, zero personality, and a reminder of exactly where they thought I belonged.

It felt personal.