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everything will be just fine.
    Everything was fine until about a month later.  I walk ed in work and the first thing I noticed was that everyone was gone.  As I was about to turn on my computer, Mindy walked up to me, a worried look on her face.
    “Sofia where have you been?  The meeting started thirty minutes ago and Brenda was going crazy that you were not there.  She kept asking everyone about a spreadsheet of some sort.  Do you know what she’s talking about?”
    “Slow down, damn it.  What meeting?  I was not told there was a meeting today.”
    “Well , we are taking a small coffee break. You better get in there.”
    With that , she walks away, leaving me with a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach.  This was not the first time they’ve done something like this.  Last time, apparently an email went out about the meeting and shockingly the person who sent the email forgot to copy me on it. 
    I quickly print the spreadsheet I know Brenda is looking for and make my way to the conference room.  I get several dirty looks , but I couldn’t care less.  I take a seat and once everyone is back from the break, the meeting resumes.  Brenda does all the talking as always and before long I tune her out because she really makes no sense, but no one has the guts to tell her so.
    “Brenda what if we have a small workshop and hand out some samples?  It could really attract more clients,” Mindy says in a small voice.  Immediately the room fills with hushed whispers, everyone pretty much is scared for Mindy for speaking her mind.
    “Well aren’t you the clever one,” Brenda says and I swear I feel like any minute smoke will start coming out of her nostrils.  “Did I ask for your opinion?  Do you think anyone really cares what you think?”
    Mindy looks down at her notepad, hands on her lap; she looks like a little girl who’s about to be sent to the principal’s office.  No one dares to say anything and the quiet is killing me. I know I should mind my own business, but I shoot up from my chair and address Brenda with full confidence.
    “I care what she thinks.  What is the point of these meetings if you are the only one talking?  At the end of the day , we are the ones doing the work so I believe we know a thing or two.”
    For a few minutes no one speaks . They are all watching Brenda and me, the fear noticeable on their faces.
    “Meeting is over.  Everyone go back to work.” I try to walk away but Brenda calls my name.
    “Miss Bianchi, you stay.”  She waits for everyone to walk out then picks up the phone and calls our HR director.  That’s when I know that I really did it this time, and there’s no turning back. A few minutes pass and I can feel her watching me, yet she doesn’t speak.  The conference room door opens and an older lady walks in; from what I can remember she’s the HR director, although her name escapes me.
    She puts a thin folder in front of Brenda and I realize I am officially screwed. 
    “Miss Bianchi,” the old lady says, “it has come to my attention that you’ve been having some problems, from attendance to getting along with your co-workers.”
    I take a deep breath contemplating if I should defend myself or just accept whatever the consequences are.  I’ve never been good with confrontations, but this is just ridiculous.  I’m getting fired anyway, so might as well let them have it, right?
    “We both know that’s a lie.  I’ve never had a problem with anyone.  My work ethic has always been above reproach , and not once did I miss a deadline.  As for my attendance I’m the only one that comes on time, but that really doesn’t matter, does it?”
    The old lady looks really uncomfortable with the whole situation . I know she’s just doing her job, so there’s no point in giving her a hard time.  The brain behind all this is Brenda.
    “Regardless, I believe you will find the package we’ve put together satisfactory. I’ll just need to get some