Keeping My Cool
The night before the HR meeting, a mix of nerves and determination washed over me. Standing before the mirror, I practiced steady breathing, whispering, “You’ve got this.” My thoughts kept circling back to the client meeting—the crude jokes my boss had made and his dismissive behavior. I knew I needed to stay calm and composed in the meeting ahead. To ease the tension, I decided to treat myself to a cheeseburger, a small indulgence to momentarily distract me and help resist the weight of the stress.
Keeping My Cool
Meeting Steve
That morning, walking into HR’s office felt like venturing into uncharted territory. Steve, our straight-talking HR manager, sat behind a table cluttered with files. I took a steadying breath. “Have a seat,” he said, gesturing to the chair across from him. His gaze met mine—calm, impartial, and free of judgment. As I eased into the chair, my eyes caught a folder on the table bearing my boss’s name. I knew this day would leave a lasting mark in more ways than one.
Meeting Steve
