Several departments would be closed.
At first I wasn’t worried. I had a good position, years of experience, and had always been one of the best-paid employees.
But that morning they called me to the director’s office.
The atmosphere felt strange.
Too quiet.
The manager took a deep breath before speaking.
— Daniel… I’m very sorry. The company decided to close the entire national logistics department. Your position has been eliminated.
It felt as if the ground disappeared beneath my feet.
— Eliminated? — I asked in disbelief. — But… when?
— Today.
I walked out of the office holding a cardboard box: my personal belongings, a coffee mug with my name on it, and a couple of old photographs.
For the first time in years… I had no job.
The following days were chaos.
I searched for work in several companies around Guadalajara, but all offered much lower salaries. Some didn’t even call me back.
Then I remembered something that comforted me a little.
My money.
For years I had been sending almost all of my salary to my mother.
Between savings, bonuses, and overtime… it had to be nearly five million pesos.
I thought:
“It doesn’t matter. Even if it takes time to find another job, I still have that money.”
So I took a bus to the small town where my mother lived.
The journey felt longer than usual.
When I arrived, I found her sitting in the patio, peeling nopales for lunch.
— Mom — I said — I came for the money I gave you to keep.
She slowly raised her eyes.
— What money?
I thought she was joking.
— The money I’ve been sending you all these years. My savings. Nearly five million.
My mother remained silent for a few seconds.
Then she sighed.
— Son… that money is gone.
