“This is your what?” Shelly’s supervisor, Angela, held an unopened envelope in her hand. Angela sat behind her mahogany desk, polished to a shine, making those on the other side of the desk feel uncomfortable, as though they were in the presence of royalty. Unlike most interoffice hard copy full-size 8 1/2”X11” envelopes, it was light. “You can’t be serious, Shelly. We are in the midst of the busiest season in our history! And you are telling me this right now?” Angela shook the envelope at her. “That you are resigning in two weeks? You can’t do this to us.” Shelly was unemotional and nonresponsive to her supervisor, Angela. “You can’t do this to me.”

Emotionless, Shelly stood straight, even though the required office high heels were killing her feet, refusing to let her supervisor get the best of her. “You are holding my resignation in your hand.” Shelly eyed the envelope, never slouching. “I suggest you find someone and train that person to do what I do.” Even though Shelly didn’t finish college, she was brilliant. Working for Trans-Essential Care and working her way up from a mailsorter to a personal assistant wouldn’t be an easy task for anyone. But Shelly wasn’t anyone. Her Dad worked as a factory peon for General Motors for thirty years. Shelly wanted more than that, so she worked hard, focusing on the tasks. That gave her more opportunities than her peers. Her dedication and loyalty were overlooked often, but it wasn’t why she was resigning. “Per my written letter, I will continue performing at the highest level, just as I have for the last fifteen years. Or,” she folded her arms behind her back, “you can choose to terminate me today, in which case I have my attorney on call and ready to file a sexual harassment suit I have repeatedly warned you about.”

Angela’s face lost all color, and her hand started shaking. “If you leave,” Angela threw the envelope on the desk, “you will destroy my career! No one will ever trust me again.” Three separate files filled with various documents sat in a row on the desk. The resignation letter now topped all of them. Unlike other nonprofits, Trans-Essential Care focused on healthcare, ensuring those going through gender reassignment not only had better than adequate medical attention but also had emotional support through each and every stage. Some of their insured patients continued to get care years after reassignment. Thus, the years of profitability for the for-profit side and meeting their continued fundraising goals for the last fifteen years, the length of time Shelly had worked for Trans-Essential Care.

“Yes. You are right, Angela. No one will trust you to get coffee, much less run a nonprofit. I’ve followed the rules, trusted you, confided in you, and asked you to do the right thing. And do you know what you did? Nothing. Mr. Broward? He was harassing me for years. How many other women did you turn your back on? How many other creeps like him created a hostile work environment? Worst of all, you knew. And did nothing! Not even to so much as check in on me. I hope it never happens to anyone else. Or are you hiding that, too?” Shelly started to walk out, turning back long enough to say, “You are a woman for crying out loud. You said nothing, Angela. Remember that.” Shelly let the door click closed, leaving Angela staring at the envelope.