“My 78-Year-Old Boss Took Me to a Park and Said, ‘As of Today, You No Longer Work for Me.’ I Froze, Thinking He Was Firing Me After Years of Loyalty… Then He Offered to Keep Me Only on One Condition. What He Said Made Me Walk Away in Tears.”

My mother lived with me. My younger brother was still in school. If I lost my job, I had no idea what I would do.

At four o’clock on Friday, Richard came downstairs. He was not even wearing a tie.

“Let’s go.”

“Where?”

“Not far.”

Ten minutes later, we arrived at a small park. We walked to a bench. Richard sat down. I remained standing.

“Sit down, Emily.”

“Mr. Bennett, if you’re going to fire me, please just say it.”

He looked at me silently for a moment.

Then he said,

“Fine. As of today, you no longer work for me.”

My heart dropped. Even though I had expected those words, hearing them was completely different.

“Can I ask why?”

“Because I’ve made my decision.”

“Did I do something wrong?”

“No.”

“Then why?”

He folded his hands.

“I can keep you in the company on only one condition.”