Page 49 of Strength

Mr. Beazley’s top lip curled into a sneer. “I need you to work today. You need to remove your kid and get on one of the registers.”

“You’re going to have to find someone else to do that because I quit.” I put my folded yellow shirt, my apron, and my badge on his desk.

“Quit?” He laughed in my face.

“Don’t you laugh at my mom!” Charlie shouted.

I rested my hand on the top of his head and addressed Mr. Beazley, “Yes, you heard me.”

“But you’re my hardest worker.”

“Yes I am. You took advantage of that, you threatened and bullied me. I didn’t think I had any other option other than to stay here. I was wrong. I let you walk all over me, but not anymore. I’m done.” I began to walk out the door.

“How are you going to support your boy, here? How will you pay his hospital bills? You need this job,” he taunted.

I spun on him. “No, I needajob. I don’t need this one. I will find something that works for my situation. Come on, Charlie.”

“Yeah, Santa Barbara, here we come!”

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