Staying isn't the same as being okay

Meeting over. Glass of water in hand. Standing alone in the hallway — not ready to go back in, not sure what to say to anyone.

That was the moment he thought about quitting. Seriously. Not for the first time, but this time it felt real. Then he remembered next month's rent. And then — that was that.

Staying wasn't about being okay with what happened. It was about one thing still unfinished: a report sent last week that no one had read, and that needed to be placed on the manager's desk before the day was over.

No knocking. No explanation. Let the paper do the talking.

Staying isn't the same as being okay. The report still needs to speak.

Some days you stay not because everything is fine — but because you're not done yet. Have you ever felt that?