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I wouldn’t.
* * *
The doorbell chimed as I entered Vrai Beauté, and Tiffany looked up from her position at the counter. “Penny, this is a surprise.”
Well, that didn’t sound good.
“Hi, Tiff. How are you?” I said politely, ignoring the alarm bells ringing in my head.
She rounded the counter mumbling something to Kylie and ushered me to the side, so we weren’t blocking the entrance. “I didn’t expect you back so soon.”
She didn’t?
“I got back yesterday.”
“And how was it? Enlightening?” Her lips pursed.
I bristled at the hint of sarcasm in her voice. Usually, I would have dropped it, but something in me refused to stay quiet.
Proud of what I achieved over the summer, I wasn’t going to let her belittle me.
Steeling my spine, I replied, “It was very enlightening actually. I had an amazing time.”
Tiffany’s eyes crinkled. “Well, isn’t that just lovely. What can I do for you, Penny?” She sounded bored.
“I’m here to check my shifts.”
“You really should have called ahead. Just dropping in like this…” she trailed off.
I looked over her shoulder at Kylie, but she glanced away. “What’s going on, Tiffany?” I asked.
She exhaled a dramatic breath. “I’m afraid I’m going to have to let you go. Kylie did such an excellent job filling in for you, and really, she’s a better fit for the shop. I’m sorry.”
A rush of tears burned the backs of my eyes, my body trembling with frustration. But I refused to let her see me fall apart so as calmly as I could muster, I said, “Well, in that case, I’ll be out of your hair.”
I turned on my heels not giving her or Kylie a backward glance. I walked out of Vrai Beauté with my head held high.
My composure crumbled the second I reached the end of the block.
As soon as I turned the corner, the tears rushed out with such force that my body wracked violently. People on the sidewalk slowed as they passed me, but no one stopped to ask if I was okay.
Giving myself a few seconds to get it out of my system, I turned my back to the road and tucked myself into the wall. My fingers scrambled to find a tissue in my purse, and I dabbed my eyes unsure if my tears were from losing my job or anger at myself for actually believing Tiffany would hold it.
She had never liked me, only tolerated me, and I knew I didn’t fit in with her shop’s standards. I wasn’t pretty enough, well put together enough… just not enough.
Stupid, stupid Penny.
When the tears finally stopped falling, I smoothed down my jacket and walked the rest of the distance home. Usually, I would have taken the bus, but Mom always used to say, ‘the fresh air is good for the soul,’ and right now, I would take anything I could get.
As I ambled listlessly along the sidewalk, my thoughts turned to my predicament.
What in the hell was I supposed to do with no job? The money I’d earned from Camp Chance would cover two months of rent and bills.
If I couldn’t find something before then, being fired from Vrai Beauté would be the least of my problems.
A sign for an internet café caught my eye from across the street.
Nothing like the present.
