Paradise Part 19

Adrenaline flooded RB’s body.  Was the sun finally going to peak over the horizon?  After so many years of drudgery, was the dawn finally coming?  The weight of the job, the cavernous emptiness of giving and giving and giving to people had crushed RB for so long.  The infinite line of complaints, that continuous stream of incoming mail that sucked the life from every person in the office, was it finally over? 

RB replied, “Yes, Mr. Dawson.  What’s the word?” 

Bill Dawson continued, “Well, I’d like to offer you one of my Equipment Scheduler positions.  Are you still interested?”

Joy!  Sheer unadulterated joy coursed through RB.  Like a lifelong prisoner who finally greeted the sun on the day of his release, RB wanted to cry out in jubilation. He wanted to kiss the man through the phone.  However, RB calmly and professionally replied, “Yes, I am interested.  Thank you very much.”

Bill advised of the start date, which was in three and a half weeks.  RB thought to himself it was three and a half weeks too long.  Also, there would be a pay increase.  Icing and a cherry on top of the cake.  When Bill was finished, RB politely said, “Thank you very much.  I’m excited to get started.”

Without removing his headset, RB picked up his phone and called his wife.  The sky seemed brighter.  RB felt as if he floated.  He could fly with the eagles.  After giving the news to his wife, he walked to Matt’s office.  Upon hearing his employee was leaving, Matt smiled and said, “Congratulations!  You deserve this.”  RB smiled.

Matt continued, “I hate to say it but I’ve known for almost two weeks but couldn’t say anything.  It was stuck in HR and nothing could be done until they gave it their blessing.”

“So you knew the other day when you asked if I heard anything?”  Then RB smiled and said, “You jerk!”  He didn’t mean it.  He was too happy to be angry.

Driving home that night, RB wanted to pinch himself to see if he was dreaming.  It couldn’t be possible.  After all these years, he was finally getting out of The Bad Place.  Oh bliss!  Oh heavenly joy, rapturous joy!  He was free.  Finally, free!