Exit stage left.

     Monday had been nice, windy with a little chill.  Brother in law came home from seeing sister in CCU.  She was in good spirits.  He proceeded to drink about 9 beers and passed out at some point.  Thus he overslept Tuesday morning.

     Tuesday.  The weather seemed almost Spring like.  Instead of gripping I just took some of the chicken I'd left over and went to work.  Was going to buy a salad and toss the chicken on it.  Made the gym, felt quiet.  The usual other 2 people.  At some point around noon I bought the salad.

     It was around 2.  Had to be because the early co-worker was gone for the day.  I'd made the decision to take my lunch to the car.  Someone from the department upstairs came in.  We were all wanted in the old auditorium.  Mandatory.

     Manager called the missing co-worker and I walked down with the resident loon. The room was literally packed.  Still had no idea what was going on.  But every department was there.  This didn't feel ordinary at all.

     It was a basic announcement.  They planned to consolidate to another location.  Ours was to be closed.  It was a tough decision the person said.  They'd arrived at it in December.

     Funny that.  At the company gathering, also mandatory, the CEO had told us such rumors were in fact wrong.  They had no intention of closing our facility.  This was also in December.

     I counted my fingers.  January.  February.  March.  They waited at least 3 months to let us know.  Why?  

     The shock waves were immediate.  All but 1 group who was told to stay filed out in astonishment.  My manager caught me.  He had his jacket on and asked if I wanted to go for some air.  Hell yes I said.

     We walked to get some smokes, for he not I.  Talking about the blow that had just been dealt.  We talked.  I made light of the situation on the way back.  It's just my way.  Sort of how I laugh when I'm truly stressed.  Strictly a ploy that hopefully makes you I'm okay.

     Said the thing I'm really going to miss, with the exception of the people, will be the free gym.  We laughed.  Got back.  Lot of people outside smoking.  Returning we were told to meet with the head honcho of our department.

     You could tell, from everyone's shocked demeanor.  Nothing was going to get done for the rest of the day.  Some people literally had tears in their eyes.  But we'll get to that eventually.

     Sorry that's it for right now.

-t.b.c.