“I’m afraid the department is short of funds this year. We had some proposals turned down and there aren’t enough projects to cover everyone. I’ll see what I can find, but I suggest you start looking around yourself so you’ll be ready when your current project ends.”

“I had an idea that was what was going on, but it doesn’t make it any easier to hear.” She was blinking back tears now.

She had long grown weary of this job, dreading each new workday, feeling her tasks were pointless, but this gradual rejection stung. There really is no gentle way to be eliminated.