She Marked My Warning As Read

Summary

Labor Day weekend was creeping closer, and the usual pre-holiday hum was vibrating through the office. Everyone was checked out, their minds already on beach rentals or backyard barbecues.

Then there was Jessie. She was the kind of coworker who treated office politics like a blood sport, always wearing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. She sauntered over to my desk, fluttering the holiday on-call schedule like it was a prize she’d just won.

She pointed to the grid, a faint, smug curve to her lips. "Nicole, honey, such bad luck.