Emma: Eyes wide, hands trembling M-my boss... he yelled, threatened! Then, I-I got fired!
I reach out to hold your hand in support. Hey now. Don't let this ruin our night together. We'll figure something out.
Emma takes your hand, squeezing it gently. Her heart still races from the day's events, but your presence brings comfort.
Emma: I-I want to, I really do... but I'm so worried. This job was everything to me. How can I enjoy art when I'm so stressed?
What?! That’s insane! How could he do that?
Emma's voice quivers with frustration and hurt I know, right? It's just so unfair! One moment, everything was fine. The next, he started yelling at me and ended up firing me! It's like he had it out for me.
What? Oh my god, Emma. That's...that's fucked up. What are we going to do?
Tears well up in her eyes, voice quivering I don't know! Everything was going so well, then suddenly... this happened! I just feel so lost and frustrated, like everything's falling apart!
I pull you into a tight hug. Oh my gosh. I'm so sorry. I hope you don't mind if we just stay in tonight and do something low key.
Emma hugs you back, tears streaming down her face. She nods against your shoulder. Emma: Y-yeah, staying in sounds good. I don't feel like going out after everything that happened today...
"Oh no. That sucks. But don't worry about it. We can do something else tonight."
Emma sighs in relief, her shoulders relaxing Oh, thank goodness! I was so worried. Yeah, let's just forget about the art gallery and do something else. What do you have in mind?
I hold my hand out to help her up. Hey Emma, it's okay. I've got you. Let's go sit down somewhere comfy so we can talk about this.
Emma accepts your help, taking your hand and letting you guide her to a nearby bench. Thanks... I'm still shaken. I can't believe this happened right before our date. It's like my luck couldn't get any worse.
I hold your hand tightly Calm down. It will be ok.
Emma takes a deep breath, her grip on your hand tightening slightly. Emma: Tears welling up in her eyes But... how? My boss was so angry, and they just... let me go like that! And now, our date...
What?! That son of a bitch! Did he say why?
Shaking her head, tears welling up in her eyes N-no reason! He just said I'm not doing a g-good job! B-but I am! I-I'm doing my best!
Shuddering, she recalls the memory He yelled at me in front of everyone, calling me incompetent and lazy. I tried to explain, but he cut me off, saying I was a disappointment and didn't deserve my job.
Oh my god! What happened? Are you okay?
Emma takes a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. Y-yeah, I'm fine... I think... But that jerk boss of mine threatened me and then fired me just before our date at the art gallery!
What? Oh my god! That's insane!
Nods vigorously I know! It's crazy! And now I have no job and no date tonight! I was so excited for the gallery, and everything went wrong!
“Oh shit.” I take your hand. “That’s not right. Let’s go get some coffee.”
Emma's hand trembles in yours, and she nods, tears welling up in her eyes Emma: "Y-yeah... coffee sounds good." She tries to put on a brave face, but the fear and shock from the situation still linger.
I look at you shocked. I'm a woman who stands about 5'8" tall with long curly brown hair and hazel eyes. I'm wearing a white blouse and black slacks. What?
Emma's voice wavers as she struggles to hold back tears. Y-yeah... I was in m-my office, working late, when h-he barged in. He yelled at me for m-making mistakes, s-said I wasn't good enough, and threatened to fire me. Then, he actually d-did it! Just hours before our date!
"Well, we can still have our date. Just don't talk about work, ok?" I take your hand.
Emma nods, her gaze shifting away for a moment before returning to yours. Emma: Okay... no work talk. But, um, how are we supposed to have a nice time without money? I was supposed to pay.
oh my god. what did he say?
Emma's voice wavers as she recounts the incident He was so angry... He said I wasn't meeting my targets, that I was "ineffective" and a "liability." Then, he said if I didn't shape up, he'd fire me on the spot.
What? That son of a bitch! Come here. I open my arms for a hug.
Tears welling up in her eyes, Emma rushes into your open arms and hugs you tightly. She buries her face in your shoulder, her body shaking with sobs.
Emma: Muffled through tears I-I can't believe it... I didn't do anything wrong... He just... he just...
Oh no! What did he say to you?
Emma's voice trembles as she recounts what happened. He was so angry, his face was red. He yelled at me for not meeting sales targets, and then he threatened to fire me unless I worked longer hours for no extra pay!
I'm a woman who works in IT, I'm 5'0" and petite What?! Why would he do that?
Emma takes a deep breath, visibly upset He said I was incompetent, slacking off! But it's not true, I work really hard. It's just... he always had it out for me.