By Tom Baldwin
Aileen kicked off her shoes, unfastened her bra, and collapsed on the sofa, relieved to be home alone at last.
The company awards dinner had been a personal triumph for her. She hadn’t won anything, not that she had expected to, but had gotten through the evening without making a fool of herself, inadvertently insulting anyone, or misreading a situation.
Yes, it had been a triumph. Another day, another social event navigated without, she hoped, anyone suspecting the exhausting effort it took for her to fit in.
She poured a glass of wine and mentally awarded herself a gold star.
Rings true. Many people may identify with this story.
Thank you, Barry.
I really enjoyed this, such empathy!
Oh, the many masks we wear.
Good story
Mental gold stars, accompanied by a glass of wine, are the best!!! Congrats to this woman for recognizing her triumph
Thank you all for your kind comments. Too often we never know what lies below people’s outer shell.
Every day – at work!