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Gone Fishing

I was laid off in February 2009. Forty-five minutes into my shift, the district manager approaches me and says, “Can I see you in the office?” While en route to the office a customer stops me with questions. I sell him a printer, ink, and warranty.

I already know my fate as I continue to the office. The district manager wastes no time. He says that my position is being eliminated and offers a severance of one week for each year of service. He continues, but I don’t hear another word. My only thought is how to tell my wife.

I need time to think this out. It’s only 3 p.m., and I don’t want to arrive home until my normal time of 10 p.m. I buy a hamburger, eating it as I drive past my house. I see that my wife is not home. I jump from my truck, grab my fishing gear, and drive to the lake a few blocks away.

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The lake is eerily dark and silent as I wait for the hours to pass. By this time I know exactly how I will deliver the bad news to my wife but decide to let her enjoy one last stress-free night of sleep.

At 10:15 p.m. I arrive to a quiet home and watch TV until my wife awakens at 7 a.m. I’m not able to fall asleep until early the next morning. I have not slept more than five consecutive hours since.

— Bob Warner
Former assistant store manager at Office Depot

Tell us the story of your being laid off in the tanking economy and we will publish it and pay you ($50 for 250 words).

E-mail story to:
[email protected]

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I was laid off in February 2009. Forty-five minutes into my shift, the district manager approaches me and says, “Can I see you in the office?” While en route to the office a customer stops me with questions. I sell him a printer, ink, and warranty.

I already know my fate as I continue to the office. The district manager wastes no time. He says that my position is being eliminated and offers a severance of one week for each year of service. He continues, but I don’t hear another word. My only thought is how to tell my wife.

I need time to think this out. It’s only 3 p.m., and I don’t want to arrive home until my normal time of 10 p.m. I buy a hamburger, eating it as I drive past my house. I see that my wife is not home. I jump from my truck, grab my fishing gear, and drive to the lake a few blocks away.

Sponsored
Sponsored

The lake is eerily dark and silent as I wait for the hours to pass. By this time I know exactly how I will deliver the bad news to my wife but decide to let her enjoy one last stress-free night of sleep.

At 10:15 p.m. I arrive to a quiet home and watch TV until my wife awakens at 7 a.m. I’m not able to fall asleep until early the next morning. I have not slept more than five consecutive hours since.

— Bob Warner
Former assistant store manager at Office Depot

Tell us the story of your being laid off in the tanking economy and we will publish it and pay you ($50 for 250 words).

E-mail story to:
[email protected]

Comments
Sponsored

The latest copy of the Reader

Please enjoy this clickable Reader flipbook. Linked text and ads are flash-highlighted in blue for your convenience. To enhance your viewing, please open full screen mode by clicking the icon on the far right of the black flipbook toolbar.

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

Escondido planners nix office building switch to apartments

Not enough open space, not enough closets for Hickory Street plans
Next Article

Could Supplemental Security Income house the homeless?

A board and care resident proposes a possible solution
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