Sophie considered for a moment. “More tense than usual. Everyone’s snapping at each other. I took the time to reconcile an extra few sets of client data in prep for their upcoming budget reviews, and my boss snapped at me for handling other people’s client work.”
Lyn raised an eyebrow. “Did he have a point?”
“Yeah.” Sophie sighed. “I was doing the same for my own clients, so I figured it was just another set of things to do along the same lines, and I was already at the office late anyway. But I guess I may have stepped on a few toes.”
“If it’s interoffice territory, seems like something that could be cleared up with a frank discussion.” Elisa’s voice had taken on a more brisk tone. She’d worked for a few years in a corporate environment as a very capable project manager before she’d gotten involved with her ex. “Communication can resolve a lot of these situations.”
Sophie nodded. “It was my boss’s client, and I’ve taken on some of the overflow before, so I hadn’t thought twice about doing it for this. But it’s not just the one incident. Everyone has become more irritable, on edge. It’s not a big office, and the environment has gotten stressful in general.”
Elisa studied her. “You said you were excited to take the afternoon off.”
Sophie nodded, a knot of tension in her chest loosening. This was the issue she’d been chewing on since yesterday. “It’s one thing to be aware of the work environment and relations with coworkers. But something’s wrong with me, too. Yesterday afternoon, I felt like I’d won the lottery. I couldn’t wait to head out of there.”
“Seems like a normal reaction,” Lyn ventured.
“Only I’ve been considering taking a mental health day here and there for months now.” Sophie looked up at the ceiling. “Once in a while is fine. We all need a break from what we do for a while to come back fresh. But I’ve been waking up almost every morning now having to convince myself to get up and go to work instead of calling in sick and taking a mental health day.”
Both Lyn’s eyebrows shot up this time. “Okay, yes. That’s not a good sign.”
Elisa retrieved her tote bag from where she’d set it against the wall. “Let me guess what’s eating at you, then. You don’t want to go to work. Then you feel guilty because you ought to go to work. Then you make yourself go to work and end up mentally, emotionally, and physically tired because you probably should’ve taken a break but feel guilty for wanting it.”
“This is supposed to be the career I wanted.” A hint of bitterness crossed Sophie’s tongue. “I went to school for accounting, took internships to gain experience in it, and I’m lucky to have this job so soon in my career.”
Or at least she knew she should feel lucky. She didn’t. Accomplishing goals was rewarding, but actually doing her job? She gained more joy out of refining her recipe for strawberry sweet rolls with vanilla frosting to make Brandon’s eyes roll into the back of his head.
“You’ve worked hard to advance this far in your career.” Elisa’s words were firm.
Sophie nodded. “So why do I hate the idea of being an accountant for the rest of my life? It’s what I should want, but I don’t. I just don’t want to be practical Sophie anymore.”
Elisa and Lyn smiled. Neither of them looked surprised or disappointed. There was none of the censure Sophie had been half-expecting.
“I think we need to get you freshened up and into the casual skirt I brought for you.” Lyn’s tone was brisk, almost cheerful. “Then all three of us are going to go back to your place and raid your tea stash to continue this discussion. I’m betting you have home-baked cookies at your place, too.”
“Right now? We’re going to put this on pause right here?” Sophie was miffed.
“Yup.” Elisa was obviously backing up Lyn on this one. “Mostly because a whole lot of mental clarity can be found over a cup of tea and a few of your cookies. And somewhat because Brandon is going to stomp in here and try to help if we take too much longer.”
“Why is Brandon still here if you two are taking me home? He has obedience classes to teach.” She knew his kennel schedule by heart.
Both of her friends stared at her.
After a moment, Lyn cleared her throat. “This has been a long time coming, but I’d say you’re going to be making a lot of life choices in the near future. We may need something stronger than tea and cookies.”
Elisa snickered. “We could spike the tea with bourbon.”
Sophie struggled to hustle into the clothes they’d brought for her. “You two just want to raid my cookies.”
Lyn tipped her head to one side. “Valid assumption. We also want to get you settled and make sure you feel comfortable.”
“I’m always comfortable in my own home.” Sophie huffed in exasperation.
“Good.” Elisa’s voice took on a brisk tone. “Then let’s see how comfortable you are with Brandon. In your home. Because we plan to leave him there with you.”
*