I drink coffee and apply for jobs on the train ride to work.  Something about that process gives me a sense of hope and optimism that I am counting on to get me through the morning meeting.

It lasts about 7 minutes.  This meeting begins the way they all do.  “Are you happy?” the manager asks with her brows scrunched, cheeks raised, and hands pressing into her heart.  “I just want everyone to be happy here.”  She gestures to a table near the entrance. A poppy seed bagel, a cinnamon raisin bagel, a plain bagel, and an everything bagel, all cut into quarters, surround 2 individual portions of butter, 1 individual

The meeting begins the way they all do.  “Are you happy?” the manager asks with her brows scrunched, cheeks raised, and hands pressing into her heart.  “I just want everyone to be happy here.”  She gestures to a plate of quartered bagels near the entrance.  Chunks of cinnamon raisin, poppy seed, everything, something with cheddar cheese on top surround 1 individual portion of cream cheese and 6 honey packets.     “I brought bagels,” she says. “Help yourself.”