Connection

July to October 2019

Retirement Notice July 2019

"But why can't they give just that little bit of information?" Joscelin tried to look sympathetic, but they'd talked about this a zillion times. She shrugged helplessly and looked at her dear friend Pandy, her work 'ride or die'.

"Job security?" she quipped. She turned and took the half dozen steps to her own cubicle in the office. She took a drink from her water bottle and settled in front of her keyboard. Happy to be in the office that day instead of at home. She realized that this time next year there would be no office to come to, as she'd made the decision to retire in three months. She felt the familiar anxious feeling in the pit of her stomach and tamped it down, enough time to fight that monster later. Getting to work would take her mind off things.

An hour later she picked up her smartphone to choose a different playlist. These days she was absolutely certain that music was one of the very few things that kept her anchored to living. Out of habit she tapped the email icon to see if she had any messages. She was surprised to see one from a sender whose address looked slightly familiar, but not entirely, the title "Las Vegas". She opened it:

"Joscelin-ssi, I am surprised that I have not heard from you. But perhaps you thought the address on the back of my business card to be one that is often given to ARMYs I encounter backstage at concerts? Or maybe you felt it would be improper to write to me first? Whatever the reason, I hope that this message puts your mind at ease and that you will write back to me. Me and the other members remain grateful for the help you were to me in Las Vegas.

This will sound odd to you I'm sure, but Jimin is standing over my shoulder insisting that I tell you "Hi" from him, and that he hopes to have a chance to get to know you as well. I hope to hear back from you when it is convenient for you to write. Until then I remain, your friend."

Jeon Jungkook

She let out a little squeal, she couldn't help herself. Thankfully others that sat near her either had their own headphones in or were simply used to noises coming from her cubicle. Humming, laughing, the occasional muttered curse. They'd gotten over noticing it a long time ago. She skittered down the aisle to Pandy's cube, shaking her chair to get her attention as she too, was headphoned, wired for sound.

"What?"

"OMGyou'renotgoingtobelievethisOMGIthinkit'sREAL!" Joscelin shoved her phone toward her, and she took it.

"Seriously, another soul melting TikTok of The Boys? Not that I..." her voice trailed off as she read the email. Her eyes widened.

"Holy shit," she'd lowered her voice, "I think, I think, I think it's...."

"Real?" Pandy just nodded.

"What should I do?" Joscelin asked her...
"Well, answer him dumbass.."

"Dear Jungkook, (he'd asked her to call him that when they met)

Thank you for writing. I'm sure you know I was surprised, but I was also quite delighted to get the email. I did not think the address you gave me was phony. I only thought about how busy you must be and hoped I would get some kind of sign as to when it might be a good time for me to write to you. Of course your email is the biggest possible sign I could ask for."

I hope this finds you and the other members settled back in at home and that you have all had a chance to get some rest after the tour. I know that as you trained you all lived together. Is that still the way of it or do you have your own apartment? I share a small apartment with two . elderly cats. I am a widow, my husband died 2 years ago. I have a good job and enjoy my work, I just made the decision to retire at the end of this year. I do not know what life has in store for me after that.