I was working as a contract attorney for my neighbor’s law firm when my husband left me.
It wasn’t pretty.
At first I tried to continue to work as usual. But the funny thing about extreme emotional trauma and a good old-fashioned nervous breakdown, it makes you a bit less efficient.
I had told him what was going on and that I wasn’t sure what was going to happen. He said that I could work more or less hours, depending on my needs. That was sweet. Turned out to be untrue, but sweet. And he’d offered his kids to me as needed to babysit. He was genuinely supportive. He and I didn’t have heart to heart conversations about personal things but still, he was helpful.
In the days, weeks and months later, I was a walking ghost. I wasn’t eating or sleeping and was crying everywhere I was alone and sometimes even when I wasn’t. I looked like shit. Truly.
I missed a lot of work. One day when I happened to be there my boss offered to drive me home. The last thing I wanted to do was be in a car with anyone and make small talk, but I was too tired to think of an excuse and had just missed a train, which he knew. So, I accepted.
At first the ride was silent. I have learned over the years that it is not my sole responsibility to fill the voids in conversation so sometimes, I just don’t. This was one of those times. I said nothing. Really, all I wanted was to get home before the daily tears found me.
Then my boss said something to me, and it wasn’t small talk:
“Roxanne, you are a beautiful woman. No one knows why some people make the choices they make. But you should know that his decision had nothing to do with you.”
Whoa. Out of nowhere! All I could say was, “Thank you.” And it made me cry, damn it! I’ve always hated crying in front of people, but it had become almost a hobby of mine. I was glad it was dark. Maybe he didn’t notice? Yeah, right.
Just Me With . . . a ride home from my boss.
Just Me With . . . 
I need to remember that quote as my daughters become teenagers!! What wise words!!
Wow. Just…Wow. I would have cried, too. And there’s nothing wrong with crying, hon. We’re human! {{{big hugs}}}
I need to remember what your boss told you. He sounds like a wise person.
Sounds like a man who truly wanted to help.
I know. It was a very special moment for me. I didn’t know he really saw me as a woman, ya know? I really needed to hear what he said.
What a great human-being. I went through a similar situation and it was very difficult. Someone told me something similar and I will be forever grateful. 🙂
[…] Went To A Wedding Alone.“ The other woman is the wife of my old boss. See “Riding With My Boss.“ This woman, who I’ll call Ellen BlueBlood, has been a long-time acquaintance, but […]
[…] Riding With My Boss […]
[…] years ago when I was still married and working as a contract attorney for my former neighbor, see Riding With My Boss. My boss was representing Rocky and his union in some kind of complicated dispute. I was […]
[…] to finding out about my break up see, “When I Needed A Helping Hand“ and “Riding With My Boss” and “Six Days of Separation“ Share this:TwitterEmailLike this:Like6 bloggers […]
[…] Riding With My Boss […]
[…] Riding With My Boss […]
[…] Riding With My Boss […]