Burns (223)

I arrived at work, made my insincere hellos,
and began to jokingly suggest additional ingredients for
the pasta salad- the same way i had at least once a month for three years.
this time, though, I was met with a sharp "Why don't you start your own shop?"
from the boss.

Wisely, I said nothing and changed the subject.
years ago, when i still had fire in me- and when i took a lot less from people that were never as clever or as smart as i was,
I would have quickly responded with "Because I've been too close to that kind of failure, and i don't like the smell."
Sure, I still have a job, but man- the anger burns.