Favor in The Odds

March is when it all started. I was blessed with the opportunity to start my dream career, as Lead Supervisor of a Lash Studio. I was given the a little black book; which resembled a purse to me being that it had side pockets. I was told to log notes and write down innovative ideas to increase productivity. Also, I was given the company credit card to use as I saw fit; as long as it was used for the advancement of the business. Christine my direct supervisor jokingly said... “Just don’t go spending $3k on it. Run all purchases by me first.” She was someone I admired, so I didn’t have any problem working under her leadership. That next week I hit the ground running. I was eager to prove to myself and everyone I deserved my new role. Days into weeks, turned into months; sales/productivity soared. I had introduced new incentives that would increase Staff morale. Things were looking up. Even the other studios adopted my ideas.

August of that year, Christine called for a mandatory managers meeting to be held at my studio. Puzzled; I grabbed my little black book and headed to the office unaware of what was about to transpire. Upon my arrival, I noticed that Peter, the owner/CEO of the company vehicle was outside. He was the type of man everyone aspired to become, but also one known for his “Quick to Terminate” style. Christine stopped me at the entrance of the studio and insisted she get the company card back. I eagerly opened the side pocket of my black book and handed it to her. She reassured me she had taken them from all the managers from each studio.

Without hesitation the meeting started. Christine (who was Peter’s right hand) said... “There have been extravagant purchases on the Company Cards, and we are going to get to the bottom of it.”

Logging notes/receipts in my black book had become a skill to me at this point, so I was positive it wasn’t me.

The very next week Christine called me before my shift and told me that Peter had informed her to terminate me immediately. She explained that the charges had al come from my credit card and that Peter didn’t see the significance of the purchases. How could he have known what was important when he only comes around to Terminate, I asked? Besides Christine, you approved all my ideas before I used the card. She apologized in her own way, but that was it. Stunned that someone I had looked up too, had now thrown me under the bus to protect her own skin.

That night at home I peeped outside to notice that the stars were shining more vibrantly than I had ever witnessed before. Still depressed about what had happened earlier that day, I couldn’t really admire the beauty of what was just outside my house. I grabbed my black book to try and make sense of it all.

Flipping through the pages and going over every detail my head began to hurt. I walked outside (book in hand) to appreciate the stars. My mother always said “You find peace when you look up, instead of keeping your head down.”

You would’ve thought it to be a full moon due to how brilliant the night sky shinned. I must’ve seen 13 or more shooting stars. Collecting myself I started making my way back inside. Only to notice something reflecting out the side pocket of my black book. It was my lottery ticket I had got Christine to buy all the managers and staff using the Company Card I once possessed. She agreed that it would be a great incentive idea to boost morale. I was given one as well, but had tucked it away for later. Now back inside I pulled out this shiny green metallic ticket. Top prize said 10,000,000 dollars. I must’ve ran around my house 50x that night screaming with joy.

Owning 8 of my very own Lash Studios has never been more fulfilling. I named them “Favor in the Odds.”