“My 78-Year-Old Boss Took Me to a Park and Said, ‘As of Today, You No Longer Work for Me.’ I Froze, Thinking He Was Firing Me After Years of Loyalty… Then He Offered to Keep Me Only on One Condition. What He Said Made Me Walk Away in Tears.”

He immediately closed the folder.

“Not yet,” he said.

“Not yet what?”

“Tomorrow.”

I barely slept that night. I was convinced I was about to be fired.

The company’s revenue had declined in recent months, several employees had already been let go, and I was the only person in my family with a steady income.

My mother lived with me. My younger brother was still in school. If I lost my job, I had no idea what I would do.

At four o’clock on Friday, Richard came downstairs. He was not even wearing a tie.

“Let’s go.”

“Where?”

“Not far.”

Ten minutes later, we arrived at a small park. We walked to a bench. Richard sat down. I remained standing.

“Sit down, Emily.”

“Mr. Bennett, if you’re going to fire me, please just say it.”