“I asked her to be here,” Mrs. Fletcher said, standing up for me against these two bullies.
Dixie sniffed. “Well, the mayor asked me to be here, to come check on the play he’s so generously sponsoring this year.” With a smug smile, she looked at me and spoke to me like I was a child. “You see, he paid for all the sets and the costumes and, of course, he donated money on top of that.”
My eyes narrowed in confusion. “I’m sorry, but why would the mayor ask you to check things out?”
Dixie’s eyes widened in rage and I had no idea why. I did, however, take a big step backward, just in case she came at me with her claws out.
“I have experience in the theater,” Dixie said proudly. “He trusts my judgment. Not that it’s any of your business.”
I probably shouldn’t have laughed at her, but the idea that Dixie had anything like actual theater experience was a total joke. My laugh was loud. “How many plays have you been in?”
She didn’t like that question one bit. “As of now, your services are no longer needed here. You’re fired.”
“I’m just volunteering.” I shook my head, fighting tears. I would not let this bitch make me cry in front of her. “You can’t fire me.”
“Go volunteer where you’re wanted,” Dixie said. “Maybe a girl like you needs to dreamsmaller. I think the gas station just outside of town is hiring. Maybe that’ll be more your speed.”
I stood there with my mouth gaping, unable to believe this was happening.
Dixie turned back toward Cunningham and Mrs. Fletcher, intentionally giving me her back. “Okay, now that that’s settled, we can talk about some of the changes the mayor wants us to make. First, the play will open with a song, sung by me, of course.”
Cunningham nodded like a coward. Mrs. Fletcher’s lips were pursed tightly like she was holding back from saying anything that might get her fired. She glanced over at me, and I decided to leave before she tried defending me again.
Bitter winter winds tugged my jacket open and icy fingers slid inside every gap of clothing, sending shivers right down to my bones. All warmth had left my body, along with the last shred of Christmas cheer.
My legs were numb, but I doggedly put one foot in front of the other, knowing I couldn’t give up and freeze to death in the high school parking lot. I refused to give Dixie the satisfaction. Then again, maybe she would trip over my body and sprain her ankle or something.
I was just getting into my car when someone yelled my name. If it was Dixie, I might just back up into her. Not hard. I wasn’t a monster. Just a little nudge.
But it was Mrs. Fletcher, relieving me of the urge for violence. The woman said nothing as she pulled me into her arms and hugged me. “I’m so, so sorry, sweetheart.”
I cried a little then, in her comforting embrace. She had always been a steady guiding hand in my life, as both my English and drama teacher. It felt nice to have someone be soft with me after my world had been filled with jagged edges. Luke’s arms would have been better but that was no longer an option for me.
“What just happened in there?” I asked through a sob.
“Dixie is still the mean girl she was in high school. She’s such a bitch.”
I snorted a surprised laugh and looked up at her. “I’ve never heard you curse before.”
She smiled down at me. “Dixie Garner has never been in charge of one of my plays before. Trust me, sweetie, that won’t be the last time I make God blush today.”
“Why is she working for the mayor?” I asked as she released me.
“Oh, you don’t know?” Mrs. Fletcher leaned in close like she was about to share a secret. “She’s not working for him. She’s letting him… you know.”
“I don’t think I do.”
“He’s conjugating her verb. He’s splitting her infinitive. You know, he’s been dangling his participle for her.”
I shook my head blankly. “I don’t understand your grammar euphemisms.”
“They’re fucking,” she said too loudly and immediately covered her mouth.
I gasped and my mouth stayed open in surprise. “Gross, isn’t he super old?”
Mrs. Fletcher nodded. “He was mayor whenIwas a kid.”
Another shiver ran through me. “Nasty ass bitch.”
