Thank you for the honest answers.
Don't worry about me. I'm not lonely. I am older, though. But, because of the bad stuff the past couple of years, I've been having to do a ton of tests this year and it turns out that I'm actually in quite good health now.
Mirah, spot on - I do know the consequences of my personality. I am smallish, gray/white haired, and dress the way I want - which is often very casual - because I created my own work niche - they just provide the office space and equipment and I'm there when they absolutely need me in person. You'd never guess by looking at me what it is I do for a living. My appearance is misleading and often people think I'm an easy target - someone they can push out of the way to further their career agendas. I'm formidable and secure in who I am in respect to my work so I take a lot off people. I know when I go on the verbal assault, heads roll and it always takes people who don't know me by surprise.
Every now and then, though, there is one comes on the scene that really works extra hard to take my place. There is one now. I ignored her actions for about a year. This year she stepped it up. One of my big bosses called a meeting between several supervisors and this person trying to take my job. I guess they wanted me to see them lower the boom on her. Normally, I'd let this go because her career is basically stalled at this point - she did it to herself. However, I befriended her a couple of years ago. When she was having health problems I helped her out, covered for her, took her under my wing to shelter her, help her get herself together and back on the road. She returns my kindness by basically hoping to take my job, which could possibly cause me to lose my home, my transportation, my healthcare, my lifestyle in general. She is so stupid she doesn't even realize she doesn't have a clue of how to do what it is I do. Nobody I work for can describe exactly what I do. All they know is I do the stuff they need done when they need it done, whatever it is, and they usually need it now or even the day before. I do that very, very well because I am good at anticipating what it is they will need so I usually have it done already or I'm just about finished with it when they ask for it. That is why they pay me a nice salary and I get to dress like a bum if I want.
Anyway, now it is up to me what to do about this girl. She is smart, and at one time I considered her a friend, so I want to be lenient. After all, someone is going to have to replace me when I retire in five years or when I win the lottery, whichever comes first. She has shown herself to be more than ambitious. She is malicious and stupid. I wouldn't want to unleash her on the kinds of people I work for. They trust me. She can't be trusted.
I can't believe I'm sitting in a Wendy's using free Wi-Fi, posting on a Troll board, to work through a problem that will negatively impact another person's life.
Think I'll get a refill on my soda and head down the road to the park. It is a beautiful day.