The Fifteen Minute Novel is an attempt to take a single prompt and use the last sentence written each day as a start for the next day. This year I had several prompts circling around a similar story, so I have combined them. However, the story starts the same way each day, with the last line from the day before and a timer set for fifteen minutes. The hope is to end up with a complete, if very rough draft by the end of the year. Some stories are better than others, but I always learn a whole lot about my own writing when I do this so for me it is not only a nice way to work out a story, but it is a tool for helping my writing get better. And so, we continue this story for 2024 with…
. Day 70: If it leaned towards Evers, then Sophie would start looking for a new job.
If it leaned towards Evers, then Sophie would start looking for a new job. There was something freeing about the thought. She could step away and let it go. Let someone else deal with Evers and the rest of the office. She could be done.
‘I’ve already pulled my resume together,’ Sophie thought. It was one work related things she did while she had her month off. She hadn’t gone so far as to look at other jobs, wanting to see how things played out, but she had her resume together.
‘And perhaps Elizabeth will give me a decent recommendation even if Evers won’t.’
Sophie closed the file on her previous evaluations and then closed down the e-mail that held the probationary letter and current evaluation from Mr. Evers.
She heard someone behind her and looked to see Carrie. She held files and Sophie shook her head no, not even bother to take out her ear buds. “I can’t take any more files right now,” she said. She turned back to her computer. She could feel Carrie waiting and then felt the air shift as she left. Sophie felt her anger dissipate. Either things would work out or she would leave. There was no use holding onto the anger. No use to letting it simmer.
She saw another message hit her inbox and she wondered if it would be a reprimand for refusing both Carrie and Kristen’s files. Instead, it was a letter from Elizabeth Walker. Curious, Sophie clicked it open.
At the top of the e-mail, she saw that the email was also sent to both Sean and Mr. Evers as well as her. Sophie felt a smile tug at her lips as she read it.
‘Please ignore the recent probationary letter sent to you earlier today. It was sent in error. You are not on probation and we wish you to continue to follow the guidelines set out during our last meeting.’
It wasn’t a long e-mail but it did make Sophie feel better. ‘Maybe I won’t have to look for a new job after all,’ she thought. This e-mail she saved to her evaluation file as well.
The rest of the afternoon sped by and when the day was through, Sophie packed up her tings and joined the others in the elevator. It was a quiet ride down. Given the smug looks Kristen favored her and the unconcerned look on Mr. Ever’s face, Sophie doubted news of Elizabeth’s e-mail made the rounds.
‘It doesn’t even look like Evers read it yet.’
As it came in more than an hour before the end of the workday, Sophie wasn’t certain why, but decided his checking of e-amils was not her concern. When they exited the building they each went their own ways and Sophie was happy to leave her workday behind.
When she reached home she saw Janine peaking around the corner as she fitted her key in the lock. Janine was smiling and fairly dancing in place. Sophie smiled back.
Ten til Midnight 