Personal Trainer Part 1: Kathy’s Corporate Cage

Some celebrations are private. Kathy’s takes place in a darkened bedroom, with a glass of wine still warm in her chest and her husband none the wiser.

Personal Trainer Part 1: Kathy’s Corporate Cage, by Mia Sumner

So this is success, Kathy Williams thought to herself. The crystal award felt cold and impersonal in her hands, the weight of it a poor substitute for the warmth she found herself increasingly craving. Cradling it in her arm, she snagged a glass of champagne from a passing waiter, but the bubbles did little to lift the leaden feeling in her chest.

Recognition of her achievements from her colleagues should feel better than this, shouldn’t it? This was what she’d spend the last ten years working towards, and now it seemed… pointless. What did she have to show for it? This tacky looking trophy and a husband who didn’t seem to notice when she stayed late at the office.

Operating on automatic, Kathy circulated amongst the crowd of co-workers, a fake smile plastered on her lips and exchanging meaningless pleasantries as her mind wandered.

A hand slipped under her arm and Kathy broke out of her reverie as Melanie Thompson pulled her away from the latest conversation, a smile on her face.