From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent

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 your want to quit, you’ve got to give me a month’s notice. You leave now, and I’m docking a month’s pay!”

hearing that, Carole quickly backtracked, “Then

wages, over one thousand dollars, was a lot for her

How about I take over her shifts for

offense, darling, but this isn’t a

her hand. “Ann, maybe we should just let the wages

smiled and insisted, “Please, ma’am, let me try! If it doesn’t work out,

me.”

guts and devotion. But let me be clear. If you can’t handle it, you’re out. No second

“Thank you, ma’am.”

pm for your shift,” Harriet added before they left.

Anthea took her mother to a

at a pharmacy?” Carole

meds, Mom. Rest alone won’t do it.

11:19

Chapter 16

the butler rushed into the living room urgently. “Sir, ma’am, the

soon?” Daly was