Around 8 years ago, I was riding the city bus, reading a borrowed copy of the Knock ‘Em Dead job search guide (very helpful, if you’re into that kind of thing).

There was a young woman sitting beside me—can’t remember much about how she looked except for that she was very smily, and had a very sweet energy. She kept glancing over my at my book. It was one of those public transit nervous energy moments with a stranger you could fall in love with.

Alas, it was her stop. She put her hand on my shoulder, looked into my eyes, smiling, and said, “You’re never sick.”

I was a bit confused, and must’ve looked it. She pointed at the book.

“Just tell them that. You’re never sick. Never been sick, never will be. Tell them that, and they’ll hire you. You got this.” And she stepped off into the night.

God bless you, my sweet, sweet, Stockholm syndrome model employee. These essays are for you.