Starting Over

Today was the day. The final day to lay everything out before hearing the final ruling on the rest of my life. I laid in my bed trying to imagine how I would feel by the time I laid in this bed this evening. I sat up and told myself it was time to get up, and it was time to get moving with my day. I could hear my family moving about, getting ready for their day in the other rooms of the house. I could do this, I could fight this fight and come out successful. As I stood I looked at my notebook on my nightstand. I touched it as if the connection of my fingertips to the cover would download all of its contents on my memory as the backup drive when in fact it was the opposite. I executed my morning routine on autopilot as my mind drifted to all that the day would hold for me.

When I emerged from my bedroom dressed for the day, I caught a glimpse of my husband putting the finishing touches on our children’s lunches for the day. My son hopped out of his seat upon seeing me. I will never tire of his love and affection for me. He wrapped his arms around me, “good morning momma.”

I kissed the top of his head, that I no longer had to bend down to kiss any more. “Good morning sweetheart, are you ready for the day?”

“I am, I have a math test today, and I know I’m going to ace it!”

I smiled at his enthusiasm. “That’s so good baby, I can't wait to see your A as soon as you receive it.” He let me go and he went back to the table to finish his breakfast. My daughter just poured milk over her hot cereal and she was on her way to the table carefully. “Good morning Adrienne.”

“Good morning momma,” she smiled big. Once she set her bowl down she hurried to me for my morning hug. “I like your blouse; I think this shade of champagne may be your signature color.”

I looked at my blouse, “champagne? Thank you baby.” I walked over to my husband and stole a kiss. He looked me in my eyes no doubt sensing my nerves. “Are you going into the office today?”

He stopped moving and looked at me, “I knew you did not hear me. I’m driving you over this morning. I will come back around one o’clock and wait for you until you’re ready. I don’t think you need to be behind the wheel in this head space.”

I kissed my husband again, I thanked him and then I ate breakfast quickly with my family. As my husband threw on clothes the kids and I readied ourselves to get in the car and get on with our day. I picked up my notebook and I caressed it in my arms. This notebook was my salvation. It housed all of my memories, my thoughts, emotions, and documents. I securely placed it in my bag and then I took my seat in the front seat of the car. I wished my kids well as they happily poured out of the car towards their school. I took deep breaths to calm myself as my love drove. He saw my nerves on my shoulders and so he gently took my hand into his. “Do you know why I love you?” I looked at him waiting for his answer. “You’ve always had your stuff together. You are organized and analytical. I know it’s your nature to try to think of everything, so I know you will be ok. It’s in your nature to be on top of things. We will be fine when this is all over.” He kissed my hand again.

“You are my King, my rock, and my best friend! I adore you Jaden.” He blushed at my exclamation. “I just want this to be over. Tonight I will rest easy.”

“Either way, we are going to be ok. Regardless of what happens there today, we have a plan for this. We were talking about you quitting anyways. Tomorrow morning we will begin anew. I don’t know about you, but I’m excited about tomorrow.”

“I want them to do this right. I don’t know why they thought they could get away with low-balling me. I want my platinum package!”

I worked for my company for fifteen years. I helped build the company to what it is today. I was promised bonuses and increases that for one reason or another were delayed. They should’ve known that I would accept being laid off, however they would have to pay me. Instead they thought they were going to squeeze me out with nothing. When I got the most accomplished lawyer in the wrongful termination field my former employer realized that I did not come to a gun fight with a knife. They thought I would roll over like the others had done.

When I presented my demands to my previous employer they laughed at me. I wanted back pay for all of their promises. I wanted them to pay me what they owed me, and then I wanted my platinum severance package. They laughed so hard they failed to consider that I had the means to bring it all together. When I came to our preliminary hearing, my previous employer immediately recognized my representation. They buttoned up and all laughter ceased to exist. My lawyer got their attention and pointed out that my demands had only increased since they had delayed the proceedings for all of this time. My second draft of my demands were outlandish in nature. I wanted severance for the next ten years, with cost of living increases every six months, and a twenty percent bonus each year. This did not include all of the back pay they owed me. Plus my legal fees.

I felt ridiculous submitting all of those demands, I honestly felt there was no way they would give me all of those extras. However I was prepared to fight for what they owed me. After kissing my husband goodbye I walked into the building and checked-in. I sat in my chair on the edge of my seat. I didn’t want to appear too comfortable, but I did not want to look stressed. The leadership team from my previous employer entered the office and they were attempting to exude the same presence. My previous manager looked like he wanted to say something more than a simple greeting but he couldn’t. My lawyer glided in the door completely unbothered. Her expensive sunglasses said she had the events of today in her pocket and they would all suffer her wrath. She checked in and then she came over to me. She said a warm hello to me as if we were about to go watch a play. My lawyer went over and said hello to the leadership team and engaged them in conversation.

The door to the office opened and then a young man walked out. “Simone Pascal?” Everyone stood up, “right this way please.” He led us into the small court room that looked more like an office. My lawyer strutted beside me; I noticed her smirk when she saw the final judge who would preside over our hearing. There were stacks and stacks of folders right to the judge who watched as we entered. When we sat at the table I took my notebook out of my bag and then I crossed my hand in my lap in hopes of dulling some of my anxiety.

The judge looked at my leadership team, “back so soon.” He did not sound impressed. They announced my case number and read off the names of everyone in the room as the stenographer in the corner recorded everything. The leadership team laid their reasons for denying my initial request and the justification they felt that they had set by previous laws and rulings, my at-will employment agreement, and their evidence. My lawyer took notes and listened to everything. When it was her turn I could feel her energy bouncing off of the walls. She recited previous laws and judgments, and then she held up my beautiful notebook. She told the judge that I had received promises in writing that were never fulfilled. My lawyer advised the judge that he had copies of everything in my notebook. I guess the leadership team had gotten so used to mechanically fighting these cases that they did not know how to recover when something off-script happened. The judge tried to hold back his smile as he picked up the folder containing copies of my notebook content. He handed it to the bailiff who handed it to the leadership team. After several minutes the leadership team asked for a two hour break to review. They had their own copies but failed to review it. The judge granted their request and told us to come back at 1:30pm. Time had whisked by like a sprinter in a hundred-meter run. It did not feel like we had been in that room for hours. My lawyer went over the absolute bare minimum that I should settle for and what to expect next. She was worth every penny.

Jaden stuck his head into the lobby to let me know he was here and that he’d be waiting in the car whenever I was ready. When we went back into the courtroom everything was different. The leadership tried and failed to deflect the contents of my notebook and they failed miserably. The judge ruled in my favor. He granted me my platinum package with five years severance, reimbursement for all legal fees, and an additional twenty thousand dollars for my pain and suffering. I put my head down as tears rolled down my face. I caressed my notebook and thanked it for saving my life. I hugged my lawyer and thanked her for everything. As we walked out of the courtroom she put a card in my hand and then she advised me to call the person on the card when I decide to go back to work.

When I walked into the garage my excitement lit up the entire area. Jaden got out of the car and his smile matched mine. He picked me up in a bear hug as we celebrated. My former boss walked up to us cautiously. He was smiling as if he shared our sentiments. “Congratulations Simone! You deserve every dime.”

“Thank you.”

“It was a pleasure to work with your wife, and I did not agree with the decision to let her go. Our department has been suffering without her.”

“At least this way I finally get everything I deserved.”

“You always said that notebook was a lifesaver, I guess that was an understatement.”

Jaden rubbed my back, “yes it is.”

“What will you do now?”

“I will devote myself to my family. My children can sign up for every after-school activity their hearts desire. I’ll be their personal chauffeur. While they’re in school I have a few ideas that I want to try. I have time to figure it out.”

“Congratulations Pascal family,” then he walked away.

I looked at my husband, “we did it!”

“Yes you did!”

That evening our family celebrated the beginning of a new life. Starting over never tasted so sweet.