He sat with his wife’s photo, waiting for a son who had already boarded without him

like clarification on several urgent matters regarding your departure.

There was no hostility in her tone. Just exhaustion and the sharp edge of corporate survival.

— Of course, — I said. — How can I help?

She exhaled.

— We were unaware of any issues until this morning. We were told you left abruptly.

— I was terminated, — I corrected gently. — Without continue reading …