Is it wrong that my first thought while reading this story was to start ranking my co-workers on how enthusiastic I would be to save them? I think there's some people that I'd really just take my time with...
Emily, I love this piece so much. It’s funny, but also quietly honest in a way that sneaks up on you.
What really got me is how you let us sit in that space between what happened and what you wish it meant. The way you keep coming back to being tall and qualified made me laugh, but it also felt like something deeper, like wanting to be the person who shows up and matters in the moment.
And the stairwell scene… I actually felt that tension. Part of me wanted more there, but I think you pulled back on purpose. If you leaned in too much, it would’ve stopped being funny and turned into something more vulnerable.
Also, side note, I went down a whole rabbit hole about epiglottis and now I’m slightly suspicious of cold water 😅
Oh you nailed it! In especially the stairwell scene, 93% of me was secretly hoping that he could privately admit his gratitude and that my efforts had mattered. Whether it was his ego or that he really didn’t need the Heimlich we’ll never know, but oh well! At least we got a collective kick out of it.
I'm so glad W was wearing more than clogs, lol! You tell stories in such a fun and entertaining way. Like you said, he might have caught his breath on his own, but you never know. What if he didn't and you all just stood there? Way to jump in!!!
It’s such a treat seeing my own posts through what jumped out to others, so thanks for sharing, Karin! Glad you also appreciated that W wasn’t JUST wearing clogs. That would really have changed the story…
Is it wrong that my first thought while reading this story was to start ranking my co-workers on how enthusiastic I would be to save them? I think there's some people that I'd really just take my time with...
LOL! Not wrong at all. Just wonderfully honest. All co-workers everywhere should take note.
You got a literally laugh out loud from me over this.
I'm gonna post the rankings on the white board in the common area, like the old Myspace Top 8.
PLEASE say you really will?? You don't have to tell them what it's for...
Emily, I love this piece so much. It’s funny, but also quietly honest in a way that sneaks up on you.
What really got me is how you let us sit in that space between what happened and what you wish it meant. The way you keep coming back to being tall and qualified made me laugh, but it also felt like something deeper, like wanting to be the person who shows up and matters in the moment.
And the stairwell scene… I actually felt that tension. Part of me wanted more there, but I think you pulled back on purpose. If you leaned in too much, it would’ve stopped being funny and turned into something more vulnerable.
Also, side note, I went down a whole rabbit hole about epiglottis and now I’m slightly suspicious of cold water 😅
This was just really, really good.
Oh you nailed it! In especially the stairwell scene, 93% of me was secretly hoping that he could privately admit his gratitude and that my efforts had mattered. Whether it was his ego or that he really didn’t need the Heimlich we’ll never know, but oh well! At least we got a collective kick out of it.
So glad you enjoyed.
I'm so glad W was wearing more than clogs, lol! You tell stories in such a fun and entertaining way. Like you said, he might have caught his breath on his own, but you never know. What if he didn't and you all just stood there? Way to jump in!!!
It’s such a treat seeing my own posts through what jumped out to others, so thanks for sharing, Karin! Glad you also appreciated that W wasn’t JUST wearing clogs. That would really have changed the story…
Funny writing, excellent story, refreshing to get the kind of quirkiness that ChatGPT (I call mine Chad) will nEVER reach.
Thanks so much Erica. I’m banking on this kind of quirkiness being my competitive advantage in the face of Chad ;) sameness.
Ha!
Glad you enjoyed!