"These tears do me good, they have watered the parched place and have left it a little salty because tears are salty." — Unknown

It was a Wednesday. In other words, it was like any other day. Only today, George was wearing a yellow tie. George is my desk neighbor, but I wouldn't say we are exactly 'neighborly' if you know what I mean. I know this sounds harsh, but I try to avoid him most days. George was drinking coffee and talking to Suzanne but Suzanne wasn't listening, because people rarely listen to George. He talks about fishing a lot and no one besides George is into fishing. So when George comes by, we pretend to work. We pretend to work all the time, but we especially pretend when George comes by. I stare at my computer screen doing nothing except making sure I don't make eye contact with George.

Judy from HR walked into our area, and I've never seen George move so fast back to his cubicle. Maybe she was here to put me out of my misery. It would be a mercy firing for sure. Maybe then my life would become interesting. She walked toward me and stared at the empty cubicle next to me. It's where Jeff used to sit. Jeff and I were a thing. There were sparks, but Jeff moved out of state. We made empty promises about long-distance relationships working, but we all know the ending to that story.

Judy had a rag in her hand and she started wiping down the cubicle desk.

"Everyone," she yelled. "There is a new employee starting tomorrow and I'd like you all to give him a big DT Corporate welcome."

Then she left our area and George returned to talk toSuzanne. Him? Did she say him? The thought of a new employee at DT Corporatewas the most exciting thing that had happened to me in months. He could be 65years old with an eye patch and it would be more interesting than the currentsituation.