08/01/2026
My boss specifically chose the water park for our company retreat, confident my self-consciousness would keep me from coming — but what unfolded was not what he had planned.
After spending twelve years fixing unwanted reports, I’d learned something about Greg: his nasty jokes were only for public consumption. As my boss, he consistently took advantage of team meetings to make subtle, cutting remarks, especially on Mondays, undermining my confidence whenever others were present.
"Linda," Greg said at the recent briefing, reclining with a smug look. "You're joining us for the retreat, right? Water park this time. Attendance is mandatory. Real team players don’t sit things out."
Several colleagues stared hard at the tabletop. Greg enjoyed making safer digs, pointing out my looks, my speed of work, or suggesting some people "aren’t made for summer fun." The message was always grasped, but never acknowledged.
For two weeks, I almost let him win. The prospect of being singled out at the water park filled me with dread.
On retreat day, I lingered in my car until my coffee cooled to the touch. Greg expected me to stay away, relinquishing my place.
But I stepped out.
Greg was by the main lockers, half the office gathered, drinks in hand. The moment he saw me, his eyebrows shot up with clear surprise.
"Well," he declared loudly for effect. "I'll admit it, Linda. Didn’t figure you’d make it here today."
Coworkers laughed uneasily, the sound small and tense.
I didn’t answer him. Instead, I calmly made my way to the pool platform, picked up the microphone, and called the team together.
Afterward, Greg never managed to make eye contact with me again. ⬇️