Page 1 of Make Me Laugh

CHAPTER ONE

THE ONE WITHOUT A JOB

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“I’m sorry, Jo, but the company’s filing for bankruptcy.”

Just like that, I topple without a parachute, straight to rock bottom. I stare at the piece of broccoli stuck in my boss’s teeth because if I look in her eyes I think I might cry.

And let me tell you something: Jo Daniels doesn’t cry in front of people.

“Since when?” I ask, shifting my focus to the giant engagement ring on her finger.

“This morning.” Annie sighs, acting like she cares.

She’s never fucking cared. The nepo-baby whose dad got her this job because she’s newly engaged to Boston’s most eligible bachelor and needed something to make her look important, will never have to worry where her next month’s rent is coming from.

I left my cozy, comfy, six-figure salary at a reputable marketing firm to take a chance on a company I had once believed in… and Annie fucking Dorset is the one who gets to tell me I don’t have a job anymore.

“We hate to do this but in order to keep afloat, we’re going to need to reorganize the assets we do have left, and we’ve decided to keep Heather to run what’s left of the tiny, itty bitty marketing department.” Heather, my assistant of two years who still can’t tell the difference between decaf and regular coffee when it’s written on the container… left to run the billion-dollar client list I built.

I want to laugh, but Annie reaches out and grabs my hand, forcing my gaze up.

I’m pretty sure my snarl says, what the fuck are you touching me for? because Annie pulls her hand back and opens her mouth a few times like a fish gasping for breath on shore.

“I hope you understand, and please know I’ll always be happy to write a shining recommendation letter for you.” Annie’s lower lip pops out, and that’s the moment I realize I’d rather jump from the tenth story window of the building I was just fired in, than sit here across from her any longer.

“Thanks, Annie. I look forward to hearing about my severance package.” I stand, snatching my bag off the chair beside me and storm out of her corner office.

The corner office with a gorgeous view of the harbor she doesn’t deserve, by the way!

I work from home three days a week, so I don’t have much at my desk, just a few easy-to-keep-alive plants and a Kindle I guess can no longer be called my work Kindle.

I fumble with the belongings in my arms after refusing to take a box from the receptionist who somehow didn’t get fired?

I don’t know. I’m still processing.

I stay quiet on the train ride home, hugging my money tree against my chest until the train comes to a halt at my stop in Salem.

Yes, I really live in Salem. It’s a whole aesthetic thing—don’t get me started about what I’ve done for the sake of my image.

I moved out of my apartment in Boston two and a half years ago, and even though the busy season can be overwhelming, I wouldn’t move back to the city unless I absolutely had to.

The train is currently packed with tourists giggling in their Halloween themed outfits, excited for their Friday night in Witch City! It’s not October yet, but the entire month of September grows busier every weekend.

I focus on the fallen leaves littered across the sidewalks and the sound they make crunching under my Doc Martens instead of the growing doubt in my head until I turn onto my street. I rent a small two-bedroom apartment on the top floor of a multilevel home. My neighbor, Hilda, waves as I approach the gate, struggling to open it. Okay, Hilda, no, I’m fine. Just keep fucking waving.

“Josette!” She’s one of the few people I put up with calling me by my full name. “You’re home early. Did you hit a plant sale?” she asks, eyeing the three I’m juggling.

I should have taken the box.

I’m ready to drop everything on the ground right about now… “Oh no, the exact opposite actually.” I scoot past her on the porch and kick the door open with the toe of my boot. “I got let go from my job,” I continue with a laugh that sounds too similar to a sob. “Have a good night, Hil!” I call as I march up the stairs to the door of my apartment.

Fumbling with my keys, I finally manage to unlock the door, shouldering it open. My work Kindle goes flying, but I somehow save everything else. I stare up at the ceiling, trying not to scream.

A break would be really, really nice, Universe!