Fuck. I’ve never experienced someone like Willa Clariday before. It’s the first time in my adult life, a woman I was seeing has asked me to leave so she could go to bed. Alone.
ChapterTwenty-Three
WILLA
I should have called him.
Hudson has done as I’ve asked. He’s given me time to think. So much time, I’m wondering if I did the wrong thing. It’s almost August and in all that time, he hasn’t so much as sent me a text message. I guess he’s moved on. Why wouldn’t he? I mean, he’s rich, handsome, and nice. And kind. Did I mention sexy and the best kisser? It’s true. I also didn’t mind when he touched me. In the past when I’ve gone out with someone, I haven’t always liked when they touched me. I’m not skittish or anything, but it’s more of a self-conscious thing. Like I didn’t want them to feel the parts of my flesh that always spilled out over the top of my jeans. I believe they refer to that as a muffin top, but I hate that expression.
With Hudson, Iwantedhim to touch me. For some, inexplicable reason, I trusted him. Inexplicable is the right word for that too. There’s nothing in his background that would suggest that the guy wouldn’t be just like my first boyfriend. We made out in his car one night, and the second he touched my stomach, he pulled away, asking me if I ever considered losing weight.
It hurt so much that a comeback was out of the question, but what I wanted to say was “Um, no,Todd. I’ve never, in my entire sixteen years of life, ever considered losing weight.” God, he was such an assface. He ended up cheating on me with my friend, Donna. I haven’t spoken to her since the day she told me exactly what they did in his Ford Focus.
I hate cheaters.
And bosses.
Spencer has been nothing but a pain in my backside since I called human resources on him. The rumor mill went crazy after that happened. Bonnie filled me in on the news that Spencer had a meeting with the head of HR a day or two after I called them. I gather from the fact that he’s still here making my life a living hell that all he got was a slap on the wrist. Spencer has been making my work life utterly impossible. So much so that Bonnie has even been keeping a low-profile. I don’t blame her. She needs this job. She’s got children to think of while I’ve only got Barney.
Not that Barney isn’t as expensive as a child. Since his allergies are worse in the summer, the vet prescribed medicine for him that costs over a hundred dollars a month. And yes, I know kids cost more than that, but you get the drift.
“Willamina?”
Speak of the devil.
I mean that. Spencer is the devil.
“Yes, Spencer?”
“My office. Now.” I don’t bother arguing with him. I follow him because I know this is it. I read the employee manual a week or so ago. It says after three write-ups, the next step is termination if the behavior continues. I’ve been written up three times.
Walking slowly, I pass Bonnie’s doorway. As expected, she’s waiting for me to pass. She gives me that heart gesture you make with your hands, and I smile. “Thanks.” I whisper it so softly that I doubt she even heard.
And don’t think she hasn’t tried to help. In her own way, she has, but it’s just been after hours or via text messages during work where she’d send encouraging words like:Fuck that assholeandIt’s going to be ok.Last week, she tried to get me to call in a favor from Hudson.
“Ask Hudson to give Mr. McAllister a call. This will all end like that,” she said snapping her fingers.
I couldn’t do that, especially since he hasn’t been in touch. Maybe I should have made the first move? It’s not in my nature to take risks though. But that’s neither here nor there. I’ve got other things, worse things, to deal with. I’m getting fired today. I’ve never been fired. Ever. I’ve always been a good employee.
I’ve had two extra weeks to prepare for this because Spencer took his mother on vacation to the Maldives.
Yeah, I know. First of all, where the heck are the Maldives and what thirty-something-year-old man goes on vacation with his mother?
No matter. I knew it would happen as soon as he returned. I guess you could call those two weeks a stay of execution. All this time, I’ve been especially frugal, saving as much as I can. I’ve got enough to live on for a month or so. I’ve also been sending out my resume to a bunch of places, but so far, I’ve gotten no calls or emails. Strange, since everyone keeps talking about how difficult it is to find people to work these days.
To all prospective employers out there… “I’m right here.”
“I know where you are, Willamina.”
I hadn’t realized I said that out loud.
Spencer’s standing by his open office door gesturing for me to enter his office. I move in first and make my way to the chair. The one I’ve sat in all the other times he’s written me up.
Crossing my feet at my ankles, I place my hands in my lap and wait. Spencer sits in his chair, types something on his keyboard, and sighs. “I’m afraid we’re going to have to let you go, Willamina.”
“All right.” I stand, but he waves me back down. I’m not going to stick around and let him say mean things to me though. Not this time. “I’m going to go pack my things. I’ll wait for security to check to be sure I haven’t taken anything that isn’t mine and then escort me out.” I’ve seen it happen a number of times.
Spencer snaps, “I’m not finished speaking to you.”
