Page 28 of Beauty and the Grease
Discussion dies down, and Cliff sits back, looking smug my direction. “I know it’s not mybusiness, but if I may ask, how long have you two been dating?”
He knows. But how?
“It’s recent,” Jenny says for me. “But we knew each other already.”
I want to melt. I want to go boom and bye-bye, a funny thing Owen said when he was four and it became a family tagline for leaving somewhere you don’t want to be. At thesame time, I’m furious. Cliff set me up. This is what bullies do. Humiliate and destroy.
“And you’re a mechanic, I understand?” He growls out a laugh that sounds as mean as he meant it to.
Linda looks sharply between Cliff and then me.
“I am,” she responds, then shares a bit about the plan to revitalize Derby.
Cliff shifts in his seat, seemingly irritated by Jenny’s redirect. “We demand honesty in this company, it’s in our mission statement.”
“Cliff,” Linda warns. “What are you—”
“She’s his estranged first wife!” he blurts.
The conversation deadens around the table. If awkward was a dinner course, it’s being served now after soup.
Another squeeze comes to my knee, courtesy of Jenny. “Our marriage was annulled,” she says plainly. “So technically, you’re incorrect.”
Cliff sputters. “Technically, you legally wed.” A cruel glint in his eye gives him away. He enjoys this. He enjoys the fight.
Jenny isn’t done. “Is the marriage valid if it’s annulled? Perhaps that’s a philosophical question you can ponder. Seems you’ve already invested significant time researching such a trivial domestic matter. It sure is curious how much you care about our personal lives.”
I can’t believe this is happening. Jenny is so calm. She’s dishing it right back to Cliff. Our secret is cracked open, but she made the call. She took back power.
Linda looks at Jenny. “My apologies for this behavior. Cliff, I need a word with you. Now.”
“He talked back to me in front of staff.” Cliff scowls my direction. “He’s been insubordinate for months.”
Not true. He’s mad I pushed back at all.
What’s the end game?That’s what Jenny asked me. Why does Cliff test loyalty, only to throw it back in our faces after we grovel? If this is the kind of test I’m expected to do for the next six months, the next six years, I’m out. It’s over.
“She’s amechanic,for Pete’s sake.” Cliff trembles with rage. His cheeks deepen to purple. That can’t be healthy.
And I can’t let it go. “She’s a business owner. And she wasmy wife.” Every restraint I’ve built around this man springs loose. “Do not speak to Jenny as if she’s inferior. Do not speak to her at all. Only a small man goes to this much trouble to humiliate someone.”
A few people at the table look away in discomfort. Others are clearly disgusted, glaring at Cliff, including Linda. Jenny watches me.
“Thank you for making this an easy decision.” I stand. “This is my official notice. I quit. I’ll be filing an HR report on this harassment and a federal employment discriminationreport for all the other nonsense I’ve put up with. I have documented logs of Cliff’s little loyalty tests.”
Cliff grumbles something I’m no longer interested in hearing.
“Jenny?”
She stands. “I’m ready.”
Linda pushes back her chair. “Chase, you have every right to be upset, but please—”
“It’s not worth it.” I feel it to my bones. “I know my worth, and it’s more than this.”
I grab Jenny’s hand. “Let’s go.”
CHAPTER 14
