When cramps hit so hard I could barely sit upright, I texted my coworker:. “Can you grab me some pads? ”. Five minutes later, my boss walked over to my desk. He set down a whole stack of different brands of sanitary pads in front of me. Then turned and walked away without looking at me once. Half the office choked on their coffee. ------. That morning, I was folded over my desk, clutching my stomach, typing a Slack message to Chloe:. “Looks like Mother Nature showed up unannounced... moreWhen cramps hit so hard I could barely sit upright, I texted my coworker:. “Can you grab me some pads? ”. Five minutes later, my boss walked over to my desk. He set down a whole stack of different brands of sanitary pads in front of me. Then turned and walked away without looking at me once. Half the office choked on their coffee. ------. That morning, I was folded over my desk, clutching my stomach, typing a Slack message to Chloe:. “Looks like Mother Nature showed up unannounced. When you head back up, could you stop by the pharmacy downstairs and grab me a box of pads? ”. After hitting send, I collapsed onto my desk like a soldier who’d lost the will to fight. Five minutes later, someone tapped lightly on my desk. I lifted my head. Chloe set an iced Americano in front of me. “Just got in and you’re already napping? Where were you last night? ”. “Where are the pads? ” I asked weakly. “The what? ”. “The pads. I just Slacked you. ”. “I didn’t get anything. ” Chloe checked her phone, then looked at me. “Who did you send it to? ”. A cold premonition slid down my spine. Before I could even grab my phone—my boss strolled past my desk. Under the collective stare of the entire department, he placed a large shopping bag on my desk. Inside were sanitary pads. Every brand. Every type. Daytime, overnight, ultra-thin, extra-soft, even heat patches. Then he walked away calmly. Didn’t glance at me once. Chloe’s eyes nearly left her face. Around us, people were audibly gasping. My vision went dark. My hands shook as I opened Slack. Pinned at the top of my messages were two chats. One with Chloe. The other with my boss. Ethan Reed. I’d sent it to Ethan. I was done for. .. less
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