They Replied

"I'm going to college," I said.

"How can you possibly afford that?" They replied.

"I'm graduating school early," I said.

"Why the rush?" They replied.

"We're getting married," I said.

"But you're so young," they replied.

"I'm pregnant," I said.

"What about your career?" They replied.

"I'm resigning," I said.

"To stay home with your baby?" They replied.

"I'm pregnant," I said.

"You're fired," they replied.

"I'd like to work for you, but I'll need maternity leave in two months," I said.

"You're hired," they replied.

"I'm going to grad school," I said.

"How can you prioritize that over your family?" They replied.

"I'm applying for a promotion," I said.

"When will you be happy to just be?" They replied.

"I'm getting a divorce," I said.

"You have only yourself to blame," they replied.

"I found love," I said.

"Probably just because he has money." They replied.

"I make more money than my husband," I said.

"We don't believe you," they replied.

"I have many plans for this role," I said.

"You need to smile more and be less direct," they replied.

"I've found a new position elsewhere," I said.

"What did we do wrong?" They replied.

"I have big ideas," I said.

"We're promoting you," they replied.

"I can afford that," I said.

"How?" they replied.

"I'm happy," I said.

"Good for you," they replied as they rolled their eyes.

"I no longer care what they think," I said. And then I knew I'd succeeded.