The Promise of Change - By Rebecca Heflin Page 0,16
I said I wouldn’t fire Katie, the Bitchkrieg gave me an ultimatum: cancel my vacation and fire Katie, or resign. She gave me time to think about it, but I didn’t need it. I told her she would have my resignation by the end of the day.”
“Oh my God, Sarah. How did she react?” Ann asked.
“I think she was stunned. Clearly, that wasn’t the answer she’d expected, but she’d offered no other more palatable options. I went to my office, closed my door, and began packing my things. My resignation was on her desk by five.”
“I sent e-mails to everyone to tell them. I know,” Sarah said, holding up her hands, “that seems cowardly. But I knew if I told them in person, I would get emotional, and I wasn’t going to give her the satisfaction of seeing me cry. Everyone has arranged to meet for drinks on Monday.”
“How are you going to support yourself?” Becca asked.
“Becca, the house is paid for, and I have the divorce settlement and the small trust fund from Mom. I’ll be fine.” For a year, maybe longer if she quit eating.
“Yes, but you’ll blow through your savings faster than you think. I know you hated her, but at least you had a job. It’s easier to find a job when you have a job. Now you have nothing.” Becca’s tone was like that of a mother scolding her irresponsible teenager. “And the longer you’re out of work, the harder it will be for you to find a good job. You’d better start looking right away.”
“Honey, I know the last two years have been a mostly-downhill roller coaster ride for you, but during all of that, at least you had a good, steady job . . . ” Ann’s tone was more conciliatory.
“Hey. The two of you have been telling me to shake things up a bit—that I needed a change. Isn’t that the reason you persuaded me to go to England?”
“Yes, but by change we didn’t mean committing professional suicide. Jesus, Sarah, this is crazy and irresponsible—” Becca argued, arms gesturing emphatically.
“I know. Everything I’m not.” She sighed. “Look, I love you both, and I appreciate your concern, but really, I’m going to be okay.” She smiled reassuringly. In reality, she wasn’t as confident as she sounded.
Tea cup in hand, the bar journal opened to the classified ads, Sarah picked up her red pen prepared to circle potential jobs that would mean a fresh start for her. At least that was what she tried telling herself.
So much for her moratorium on impulsive acts. Quitting her job had to be the dumbest impulsive act to date.
She couldn’t remember the last time she’d looked at the want ads. Probably not since high school when she’d been looking for a job to pay for the car insurance her parents said she had to be able to afford before they would get her a car.
Boutique law firm seeks associate attorney to handle health care collections. Five years experience practicing law.
Collections work, Sarah thought. Only if I was starving and my kid was barefoot.
Healthcare firm seeks healthcare attorney to join practice. Must have over five years of solid health law experience and be a member of the Florida Bar.
So far so good. Sarah took a sip of her tea and continued reading.
Successful candidates must have significant experience in various aspects of healthcare law, including contract drafting, contracting, joint ventures, reimbursement, fraud and abuse, Stark and managed care. Litigators need not apply.
She snickered at the last sentence. Circling that ad as a possibility, she moved on.
Experienced, highly competent corporate attorney wanted for small, active transactional firm.
Transactional attorney. Not really her cup of tea, but . . . she continued reading.
Successful candidate will have seven to ten years of transactional experience, as well as excellent analytical and legal drafting skills.
She had the transactional experience, and the drafting skills.
Successful candidate will be a self-starter and a team player, and will be able to manage other lawyers and staff. Bilingual ability in Spanish.
So much for that. If they ever needed a bilingual with French, she’d apply. Next.
Work from home. Legal drafters needed. Provide legal research and writing support for law firms. Legal memoranda, briefs, contracts, plus some editing work all on an assignment-by-assignment basis. Qualified candidates must have excellent legal drafting skills, and a minimum of five years practicing law, including legal drafting experience.
That intrigued Sarah. Flexibility. Work from home. And better yet, no bitchy boss.