Eleven Years of Eating Lunch by a Window in Columbus, Ohio, Ended With a Box I Never Expected

Derek’s nameplate lay face down on her credenza.

She didn’t turn it over.

She sat down behind the desk and pointed me to the chair across from her.

“Head of the underwriting department,” she said.

“Starting Monday.

You’ve earned it twice over.”

I laid my hands flat on my knees.

“I’ll take lead claims auditor.”