You Can't Joke About That Novels & Stories

Bright and early the next day, I showed up at the office as usual. I ignored the whispers and stares, and made a beeline for my desk to start clearing it out. That was when Lily waltzed over, oozing fake sympathy. "Janice, can't you take a joke? "Come on, it was just a little toilet cleaning. Why'd you have to go and tell Mr. Hoffman you're quitting? No need to blow things out of proportion. "Look, I'll even dip into my own wallet and toss you a little extra cash to make up for it.

Hе іmmеdіаtеlу halted the рlеаѕurе аnd I соuldn’t hеlр but thіnk I hаdn’t chosen the rіght mоmеnt tо mаkе a jоkе. “Exсuѕе mе? Dо you wаnt to сlаrіfу that fоr me?” “Jоеl, іt wаѕ a jоkе.” “A рооr joke, уоu knоw I take my рlеаѕurіng you vеrу ѕеrіоuѕlу. If уоu tеll mе I’m doing аn іnаdеԛuаtе jоb then I nееd to knоw tо ѕtер it uр.”

"But I can't do it anymore. The jokes don't work. Every time I try to make light of something, all I feel is the weight of how bad things really are." "Then stop making jokes." I stared at him. "What?" "If the jokes aren't working, stop forcing them. Be honest instead. Tell us you're scared. Tell us you're struggling. We're a team. We don't need comedy. We need truth." "But without the jokes, what am I? I'm not strong like you. Not powerful like Mia. Not strategic like the twins. I'm just the loud mouth who makes bad puns."

Without knowing. Damn. I don't even find it funny.

status to flirt with female colleagues from other departments. I tolerated it, telling myself he was just networking. But now, just to impress Miguel and get ahead, he couldn't wait to trample all over me. I let out a short, humorless laugh. "Todd Westman, what right do you have to lecture me?" His eyes darted around for a second before he raised his voice even louder. "I'm just saying this as a colleague who knows right from wrong! You should know what's good for you, Macy!" Looking at his hypocritical, revolting expression, I couldn't even be bothered to argue. I picked up the iced coffee on my desk and, without hesitation, splashed it straight in his face.

“Don’t you mean fangtastic?” “I most assuredly do not.” His face was now stern. I rolled my eyes. “OK, got it. Dick jokes are OK but vampire jokes are not. Touchy much?” His mouth was drawn in a thin line “Funny jokes are acceptable. Others should be met with the derision they deserve.” There was a pregnant pause and all silly jokes and puns rushed out of my head, so I settled for rolling my eyes at him as I jumped off the bar stool instead. “Do you have anyone you need to let know you’ll be away?” he asked

“I just came to make sure you’re okay” This time, I can’t help the laughter that bursts out of me. Is this some kind of joke?

He stopped and gave me the evil eye, "You need to stop joking around. What you are going through is serious and it hurts you to laugh." I said, "I know, but if I don't laugh, I'm going to cry. I hate crying."

"At your service." I'm laughing at his ridiculous facial expression and the change in his voice. "You know, you're the only human in 7 billion people who gets my sense of humor," says CJ smiling so broadly. "Nobody thinks I'm funny." "You're not funny if that's what you're asking." CJ grins. "Then you're a fan of dry jokes I see." CJ suddenly turns serious. "About last night-" "Please let's not talk about last night. Ever," I hate feeling weak and vulnerable. That's what I was last night.

I'm not joking I'm serious. ****