The Seat at the Table

Summary

I’ve always taken things literally. I don’t understand hidden meanings.

In middle school, a girl shoved her cheat sheet into my hand.

"Hold this for a second, the teacher is coming."

She assumed I’d panic and stuff it in my pocket.

I raised my hand.

"Mr. Davis, her cheat sheet was just shoved into my hand."

Years later, at my first corporate job, our new manager started auditing the accounts.

Brenda frantically kicked my foot under the table and hissed,

"Take the fall for this. You're new, they won't fire you."

I nodded, stood up, and looked right at the manager.