The Apple

“Today has been a good day,” Todd said to Karen who sat at the break room table engrossed in whatever was on her phone.

“What are you talking about? Ten people just got fired,” said Janine from the sink as she rinsed her coffee cup. “Aren’t you worried that you’ll get fired?”

Todd laughed, grabbed an apple from the counter, and said, “Nope, nothing is going to happen to me. I’m dating the boss’ brother. He’s not going to fire me… I mean if he does Sunday dinners are going to be awkward.” He inspected his snack before he took a bite. His crunch breaking the silence, “Anyway, Janine you should be worried you haven’t even hit quota this week.” As he chewed the hunk a folded piece of paper found its way to the back of his throat. Gagging then coughing, he spewed the contents of his mouth into his hands.

A small square of folded paper sat staring at him amongst the apple bits. Pushing everything to his left hand as three women watched him, he then grabbed the paper. Anticipation lingered in the room.

“What’s it say?” asked Pam from the doorway watching Todd drop his apple sauce in the trash.

Eight eyes watched the paper unfold. He read it out without pre-reading it, “Fuck you, Todd.”