The Crying Bathroom

On the third floor of my office building, there's a bathroom that nobody uses. It's at the end of a long hallway, past the break room and the supply closet. I discovered it my first week on the job.\n\nI call it the Crying Bathroom.\n\nI've cried in that bathroom more times than I can count. After my boss yelled at me. After I found out I didn't get the promotion I'd worked three years for. After my boyfriend broke up with me via text. After my dad's cancer diagnosis.\n\nI'd lock myself in the last stall, sit on the toilet lid, and let the tears come. I had to be quiet.\n\nOne day, I walked in and found someone already in the last stall. I could hear her crying.\n\nThen I said, "I know it's not much, but... I've cried in this bathroom too. You're not alone."\n\nThe crying stopped. After a long pause, she said, "Thank you."\n\nI left without seeing her face. I never found out who she was. But I hope she's okay. I hope she found something to smile about.