Notice

Everyone has been tip-toeing around Kevin’s office ever since Hannah’s visit. Everyone was avoiding him including myself, but unfortunately, I couldn’t avoid him anymore. I wasn’t looking forward to giving Kevin my two weeks’ notice and tried to delay it until things calmed down, but I eventually gave up and made the long walk to Kevin’s office. Scott had called in sick (twenty bucks says it was to escape from the situation with Kevin and not an actual illness) so I walked into Kevin’s office after a small knock.

“I can’t deal with you today, I need you to go.”

“This will only take a minute,” I said surveying the disaster that was Kevin’s office, “I’m giving you my two weeks’ notice. I’ll get my stuff out of my office June 7th, when I get back from visiting my parents. My last day of attendance will be the 28th. I’ve filled out all of the forms; I just need you to sign them…now.”

I handed Kevin a small stack of papers. His eyes were bloodshot, he needed to shave, and he was wearing the same clothes as the day before….and the day before that. It wasn’t until Kevin handed the papers back after signing that I caught the whiff of alcohol.

“Have you been drinking?” I asked looking at the clock: 11:00AM.

“Mind your own business.”

“Excuse me?” I was shocked. As an HR rep it’s my job to help maintain a healthy work environment and there’s an entire building policy that anyone under the influence of drugs or alcohol must be removed by security immediately. That rule is the same reason we aren’t allowed to serve alcohol at business parties being hosted in the building and the reason we rented out a hotel ballroom for our winter holiday party this year. “Kevin you smell like a wet bar. You know I have to call security and have you escorted out of the building, right?” I said with genuine concern. I didn’t like Kevin but I didn’t want to ruin his career or potentially his life.

“You don’t have to,” Kevin said stumbling out of his chair and leaning on his desk. He lurched for me and tried to put his hands up my skirt. I slapped him.

“What the hell, Kevin!?” I said pushing him off. He landed on the ground laughing.

“Oh, come on, like you don’t want this. Ever since we broke up you’ve been regretting not staying with me.”

“No Kevin, you’re sensing the regret I have for EVER dating you.”

At that point he had gotten back up and tried to pin me up against his desk he started kissing me and tried to get my shirt open before Herb, the sports writer, and Wesley, one of the politics writers came in to pull him off of me. Dina called security and later helped me file a sexual harassment form since I couldn’t process it due to conflict of interest in being the HR rep. The head board member, Hugh Jones, was informed of the incident by security, since he owns the area we work out of and he called me to schedule a meeting to get a statement from me. He also gave me the rest of the week off. Before I left I filed my two weeks’ notice and e-mailed the board members to let them know and see if they wanted me to start looking or training for a replacement. I’m sure they’ll think it’s because of what happened today but as you all know that’s not the case and I won’t be pressing charges against the paper or Kevin. I just want this part of my life to be over so I can move on to my new job with no baggage.

I know it seems weird, but I don’t feel all that violated. I mean, I was scared and I felt really helpless but after the fact I don’t really feel anything. Maybe my absolute disgust and fear is being weighed out by the fact that Kevin will most definitely be getting fired now, but that doesn’t make me feel anything either. I think getting my new job came just when I needed it. Right now, my new job is the only thing I have any feelings about and they’re all good feelings.