I made my usual Monday run into the office, but the conversation I had with Darlene was anything but usual.

“I’m taking some time off, Darlene.  With the power back on, everyone is happy, and things are getting back to normal.  You don’t need me anymore.”  I leaned back in my chair.  “I’ll file a final report today; you can send it to Don or do whatever you want with it.  I’m also officially resigning as your deputy.”  I’m sure she conveniently forgot I was still sworn in from when she was down with the flu.

“Are you sure you want to do this, Deborah?  I understand this has been very stressful for you; it has for all of us.  You’ve been a tremendous asset to the town and we won’t forget all you’ve done.”  She was quiet for a minute, as if trying to formulate the right words in her head for what she wanted to say.  “You will be compensated, Deborah, I assure you.”

“I don’t care about that.”

“I know you don’t, but I do!”

“I just have other things I need to do now, Darlene.” This was hard to explain, and it wasn’t coming out the way I wanted. I needed to not worry about everyone in Moose Creek; I needed to talk to my sister and my friends; I needed to plant flowers and tomatoes;  I needed to get my life back.

“You don’t have to explain yourself to me.  I will accept your resignation for being my deputy, but don’t you dare try to resign from being Emergency Manager, that one I will not accept.” She had that fierceness in her eyes that makes her a good Supervisor.

“Deal.”  And I turned back to my computer to do a final report.  I wanted to go home.