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Jake Malloy stood at the other end of the aisle. He stormed toward them and Troy turned to face him.
“What is your deal, man?” Troy’s face reddened. “Do you just hang out at the grocery store all day?”
Jake got right into Troy’s face. “I don’t like you.”
“What is this, kindergarten?” Troy huffed. “Stay out of my business.”
Jake straightened up even more, towering over Troy. “Don’t touch her again.”
Hannah saw Mr. Hooley making his way down the cumbersome stairs from his perch, and she knew her job really was on the line.
“You need to go, Troy. Justgo.”
Troy clenched his fist, his attention all on Jake. “What’s your problem, man?”
“My problem is, she asked you to leave, and you don’t know how to listen.”
“Hannah!” Tim yelled down the aisle. “Take your break. And you know what? Why don’t you just take your stuff with you.”
“What?” Her heart started pounding in her chest. “Please, Tim, I asked him to not come back!”
“No, this behavior is unacceptable.”
“Tim, think about what you’re saying,” Jake said. He pointed at Troy. “He’s harassing her. You should protect your employees.”
“Please, Tim, I need this job,” she begged. “Please. I have Emma to take care of.”
“I think I know how to run my own business, thank you.” Two red splotches grew on Tim’s cheeks. “Hannah, you’ve brought your trouble to work far too many times. Get your things and leave.”
She felt nauseated but focused on holding back her tears. She would not cry in front of these men who felt the need to insert themselves in her life.
“Fine.”
She turned on her heels, and Troy started to follow her. She heard a commotion, then a yelp, and then she turned to see Troy on the ground.
“What the?” Troy yelled out. She rushed over to him, and he shoved her away.
“I can’t believe he just pushed me!” Troy pulled out his phone. “I’m calling the cops.”
“So I can tell them you were harassing a woman?”
“My wife!” Troy bellowed out at Jake.
“Troy, just go.” She didn’t want the police involved. She reached her hand out to help him up. “Please.”
He got up, slapping her reaching hand away. “You’re going to just let this guy jump me?”
She looked over at Jake, who was glaring at Troy, his fist clenched so tight his knuckles were white.
“I’ll sue you!” Troy shouted, as Mr. Hooley arrived.
“Young man, you need to leave this store right now. You are not welcome here,” he boomed. “Hannah, that goes for you, too.”
Troy shot daggers at her.
“Mr. Hooley, it’s not Hannah’s fault,” Jake said.
“Mr. Malloy, you’re lucky we’re not calling the police.” Lloyd Hooley and his son walked Troy out of the store, and once again, Jake stayed behind.
