Page 17 of Fever

“Expecting company?” she said.

“No.”

I sat my glass down and strolled to the door to check the peephole.

Opening it, I spoke, “Hey Carla, what are you doing here?” I frowned.

“Can I come in?”

“Yeah, yeah sure.”

Carla glided through the door, seeming a little frazzled, and I shut the door on the heatwaves.

“So, tell me what’s going on, Ms. Carla,” I said, walking back to the kitchen. “I hope you don’t mind, Desiree’s here.”

“It’s not a problem, I just need someone to talk to, and you were the first person that came to mind.”

“Okay, tell me what’s going on,” I said, reentering the kitchen.

Desiree brightened as Carla strolled in behind me.

“Hey girl,” Desiree greeted.

“Hey.” Carla’s eyes went to Desiree’s glass. “Please tell me you’ve got another one,” Carla whined.

“Sure,” I said, “I can get you a glass.” I moved around the kitchen, fetching Carla a wine glass.

“I quit my job today,” she said.

I stopped moving and turned to her. Leaning against the counter, I asked, “What happened?”

“Remember when I told you about Robert feeling me up in the breakroom?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, this time he grabbed me and pushed me on the countertop. He got like Incredible Hulk strength out of nowhere. It completely freaked me out. I went straight to human resources about it and filed a sexual harassment complaint.”

“As you should’ve done the first time,” I said. “But good for you going this time.” I huffed, annoyed that she’d let Robert get away with his shenanigans before.

Desiree choked on her wine. “Oh my God, what kind of work environment are you in?” She looked at me. “You’re not getting harassed, too, are you?”

I gave her a pensive stare. “He’s tried it, but I put Roger in his place quick. Ever since then, I catch him staring occasionally, but he never says anything.”

“Lord have mercy. You have to find another job asap. You can’t work in an unhealthy atmosphere like that. Did you report him?”

“No.” At Desiree’s exasperated look, I offered, “He didn’t touch me, just invaded my personal space and gave me this look that I suppose was meant to make me swoon, but instead it made me gag.”

“Ew,” Desiree said. “Yes, you have to leave.”

“I would, but I don’t exactly have any other job opportunities.”

“That’s all right. We’ll find you something soon enough.”

“We?”

“Yes, I’m on your side.” Desiree turned to Carla. “I’m on your side, too. We’re going to find you both new jobs this week!”

“I like your enthusiasm,” I said. “Now, we’ll see if you’re still singing that same tune after Julian returns from Cali.”

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