By forty-one, I supervised sixty-three employees across three teams.
I knew birthdays.
Whose kid had asthma.
Whose mother was in assisted living.
Who needed Tuesdays remote because of childcare.
When layoffs came, people like me were usually asked to help deliver them.
That morning, I learned management titles do not protect you when headquarters decides an entire branch is unnecessary.
The vice president from corporate stood beside someone from HR.
They did not sit.
That was the second clue.
The Ridgehaven office was closing.
Not restructuring.
Closing.
Most functions would move to another state.
A few employees could apply for remote positions.
Everyone else would receive severance.
My role was eliminated.
