From Sneers to Cheers Anthea's Ascent novel Chapter 16

"Carole's daughter is a real beauty, just like her!" one of the neighbors remarked.

"Pretty, sure, but it's a shame she's born on the wrong side of the blanket," another chimed in, shaking disapprovingly.

"I'll never understand Carole. With her looks, she could've married anyone. Why become the 'other woman'? At last, she got nothing out of it and ended up living in a basement."

"Well, if you play with fire, you'll end up in the cellar, right? Nobody forced her to wreck someone else's home."

"Karma!"

Before long, Carole arrived at the rotisserie, where she worked, with Anthea in tow.

The owner was a robust woman in her forties named Harriet.

Upon hearing Carole wanted to quit, Harriet was none too pleased. "It's our busiest season, and you're quitting out of the blue. Where can I find someone on such short notice?"

"I'm sorry, ma'am. I just...," Carole stammered, feeling guilty.

"I run a business, not a charity. I'd have to shut down if all my staff up and left like you. If you want to quit, you've got to give me a month's notice. You leave now, and I'm docking a month's pay!"

After hearing that, Carole quickly backtracked, "Then I won't quit."

A month's wages, over one thousand dollars, was a lot for her to lose.

Anthea stepped forward, addressing Harriet. "Ma’am, my mom's not well and needs some rest. How about I take over her shifts for a month? Give you time to find someone else?"

"You?" Harriet sized Anthea up. "No offense, darling, but this isn't a job for someone like you."

Anthea's mother tugged at her hand. "Ann, maybe we should just let the wages go..."

But Anthea smiled and insisted, "Please, ma’am, let me try! If it doesn't work out, you can fire me."

Amused by the girl's determination, Harriet relented. "Fine, I'll give you a chance for your guts and devotion. But let me be clear. If you can't handle it, you're out. No second chance."

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