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“It’s not as simple as that,” I try weakly to start my defense.
“Vivica, he’s got his own daughter working on this line, in this heat,” the woman says defending me, though the accusation in her eyes doesn’t quite match her tone. “I don’t think he cares much for her opinion.”
“She’s exactly right,” I finally snap back, straightening my spine to face off with her. “And he doesn’t ask for it. I have nothing to do with company polic—”
“It’s not policy. It’s theft!”
All eyes are now on me as I check out the room and see what they aren’t saying. People who’ve otherwise kept their heads down when I walk by are now looking directly at me in the same way Vivica is, their openly hostile expressions knocking the fight out of me. Maybe they’ve regarded me this way since I started, and I haven’t noticed it as much because I’ve had my head in the clouds. “I’m just working here because, well, because…”
“Are you here to spy on us?” Vivica squares up, planting her hands on her hips. There’s no way to win this battle.
“No,” I blurt out honestly, “Not at all. I’ve been…” I struggle with word choice, but what can I say? That I’ve been biding my time until I inherit my father’s money? Fire rages in my cheeks as I try and will myself out of this nightmare. “I can try to say something to him.”
“Try all you want. It won’t matter,” the friend says, trying to keep Vivica at bay. “Don’t waste your breath.”
“This is his plant,” Vivica argues, “you work here, and you want to tell me you ha
ve nothing to do with him?”
Everyone begins to crowd in as my throat dries up. I’m shaking uncontrollably now, figurative walls closing in on me. I feel suffocated, completely unprepared for the hostility directed toward me. And from the looks I’m getting—this has been a long time coming. No one is defending me. They too, want answers. Answers I don’t have. “Have you told the supervisor?”
Her smile is acidic. “You mean your boyfriend?”
“Vivica, collect yourself and get into my office, now.” Sean’s voice booms from behind me. “Now.”
“You think we are stupid, Sean? You think we can’t see what’s going on here?”
He doesn’t miss a beat. “And what you’re doing right now, Vivica, you think that’s going to help your case?”
“My case? How many times have we asked you to make this right since you’ve been back?”
“I’ll get it handled,” he snaps, keeping his eyes trained on hers. “Everyone, get back on the line, now!” Everyone flies back to their places as Sean turns to me. “Take five.”
“I don’t need it,” I step toward Vivica.
Sean stops me from engaging with the bite in his tone. “It wasn’t an offer, Cecelia, take five.”
“I’m sorry this is happening,” I tell Vivica, “You have my word. I’ll talk to him.”
“Sure, you’re sorry, wiping your ass with my shorted paychecks.”
“Off the line. In my office, now,” Sean barks, and she spins and stomps toward the front doors.
“Too late for me anyway. Fuck this place.”
I move to join Melinda, who’s working double-time to keep our station clear, no doubt bursting at the seams as the drama unfolds. It’s probably the most exciting thing to happen here in years. Melinda bumps my shoulder as I slide back in next to her and try to bury myself in our task, never more grateful for a tub of calculators in my life.
“Take five,” Sean’s at my side as I fight the emotions warring inside me.
“You’re just going to make it worse,” I snap. “Let me work.”
I can feel his stare on me for a solid ten seconds before he concedes and walks away. When I’m able to speak, I turn to Melinda. “Is that how you feel about me?”
“Honey, I know you,” she nods over her shoulder, “but they don’t. I wouldn’t spend any time trying to convince them otherwise, people only hear what they want to.” It’s a bitter truth I have to swallow down. No part of the next year will get easier for me here. I’m guilty by association, and these people don’t just dislike Roman Horner because he’s the boss, they’re aggrieved and have been for some time.
Embarrassed tears threaten as I collect the empty tubs and nod.
“Have your paychecks been short?” I ask, and I see the answer before she speaks it.
