The Climb | Episode 9: Three Words

Kelly walks slowly down the hallway.

Her mind keeps drifting back to Barry's office.

"The 52 Rules of Divorce."

She immediately catches herself.

That's none of my business.

She had no desire to get involved in anyone's personal life, especially her leader's.

Still...

She couldn't ignore the feeling that something wasn't right.

She had barely made it halfway down the hallway when someone came running toward her.

"Kelly!"

She turned.

"Come quick!"

"It's Percy!"

"He's at his desk holding his chest!"

Kelly didn't hesitate.

She sprinted toward the operations floor.

Percy was slumped forward in his chair.

His face was flushed.

One hand pressed tightly against his chest.

Kelly immediately knelt beside him.

"Percy."

"Look at me."

He slowly lifted his eyes.

"Has anyone called 911?"

The room was silent.

Everyone stood frozen.

Finally, Anna spoke.

"No..."

"We panicked."

"We came to get you."

Kelly immediately looked around the room.

"Someone call 911."

"Right now."

Several people reached for their phones.

Kelly turned back to Percy.

"Can you hear me?"

Percy slowly nodded.

"Can you talk?"

"Y...yes."

His voice was barely audible.

"Can you tell me where it hurts?"

Percy winced.

"My... chest."

Kelly gently took his hand.

"Help is coming."

"Stay with me."

Within seconds, Barbara hurried across the operations floor.

Barbara had been a registered nurse before joining the company years earlier.

"What do we have?"

Kelly quickly explained the situation.

Barbara immediately knelt beside Percy.

She calmly began asking him questions.

"When did the pain start?"

"Does it move anywhere else?"

"Can you take a deep breath?"

Kelly stayed beside Percy the entire time.

She never let go of his hand.

Percy remained awake and responsive.

Barbara continued assessing him while they waited for the paramedics.

Minutes later...

The ambulance crew rushed through the doors.

Barbara quickly updated them.

Kelly stepped back just enough to let them work.

As Percy was wheeled toward the exit...

He turned his head.

Looked directly at Kelly.

And silently mouthed two words.

Thank you.

Kelly smiled.

Then quietly whispered,

"You're going to be okay."

---

After the ambulance left, Kelly walked around checking on the rest of the team.

Everyone was shaken.

Kelly encouraged everyone to take a few minutes before returning to work.

Then...

She stepped outside.

The fresh air felt different.

She hadn't realized how tightly she'd been holding everything together.

She closed her eyes for just a moment.

Then she felt someone gently take her hands.

She looked up.

It was Ronnie.

"Are you okay?"

Kelly nodded.

"I think so."

Before she could say anything else...

Angela and Darren came running across the parking lot.

They nearly knocked Ronnie sideways getting to her.

Both of them wrapped Kelly in a hug.

Kelly finally let one tear escape.

Angela gently held Kelly's face.

"Are you okay?"

Kelly smiled through the emotion.

"I'm okay now."

She looked at Angela.

"I thought you left for your doctor's appointment."

Angela smiled.

"It got rescheduled."

She squeezed Kelly's hand.

"And I'm really glad it did."

The two hugged again.

Darren finally looked over at Ronnie and gave him a dap.

"What's up, man?"

Ronnie nodded.

"Hey."

"Good to see you."

The four slowly walked back toward the building together.

Just before they reached the entrance...

Darren suddenly stopped.

"You know what..."

"I'll catch up with y'all later."

He quickly headed in another direction.

Kelly looked up to try to see where he was heading. Then she just whispered…

"Okay..."

A little farther down the hallway...

A young woman approached Kelly and Angela.

"Hey..."

"If you see Darren..."

"Tell him Tina said to call her."

She smiled politely and walked away.

Kelly slowly turned toward Angela.

Angela slowly turned toward Kelly.

Neither of them said anything.

The look on their faces said enough.

What is Darren up to?

---

A notification buzzed across Kelly's phone.

Meeting with Barry.

She cleared the notification.

"I've got to go."

She smiled at Ronnie and Angela.

"I'll see y'all later."

Kelly grabbed her laptop and headed toward Barry's office.

She knocked.

Barry looked up.

"Come in."

Kelly immediately noticed the expression on his face.

He looked exhausted.

Before Kelly could speak...

Barry did.

"I need to share something with you."

He paused.

"And I'm only sharing it because..."

"I think you've noticed I've been a little different the last few days."

Kelly quietly nodded.

Barry motioned toward the chair.

"Have a seat."

Kelly sat down.

Barry stared at his desk for a moment.

Finally...

He spoke.

"I'm dealing with some personal issues."

"They've disrupted just about every part of my routine."

Another long pause.

Barry slowly exhaled.

"Unfortunately..."

"My wife and I have decided to part ways."

The room was silent.

"It's meant finding a new place to live."

"Moving."

"Handling things I never thought I'd be handling."

He shook his head.

"Honestly..."

"I've been trying to keep all of it from spilling into work."

He managed a tired smile.

"Thank goodness Jordan came on board."

"She's helped carry quite a bit while I've been trying to get everything sorted out."

Barry finally looked up.

"I know you're a praying woman."

"So..."

"If you don't mind..."

"Keep me in your prayers."

Kelly didn't hesitate.

"Of course I will."

Barry smiled.

"I appreciate that."

He picked up Georgia's leave request.

"Now..."

"Let's talk about..."

The office door suddenly swung open.

Another manager hurried inside.

"Barry."

"We've got an all-hands leadership meeting."

"They need everyone downstairs."

Barry stood.

"Now?"

"Right now."

Barry looked apologetically at Kelly.

"I hate doing this again."

Kelly smiled.

"I understand."

Barry nodded.

"We'll catch up later."

Kelly walked back toward the operations floor.

She glanced over at Percy's desk.

A few things had fallen onto the floor during the medical emergency.

Kelly knelt down and began picking them up.

A notebook.

A pen.

Reading glasses.

As she reached for the last item...

She paused.

It was a piece of paper that was under a small envelope with Percy’s name on it.

On the paper were three words no employee ever wants to hear:

Layoffs are coming.