Miranda

Chapter Fifteen

"Even in the midst of the storm the sun is still shining."

-Dayna Lovely

"Wow, it's really getting bad out there" Gina, says as she wraps her cardigan around her. I agree, this part of Texas rarely sees such cold weather, and tonight we are getting a hell of an ice storm. We are staring out the front windows from the registered watching the tiny flecks of ice being flung from the sky. Even the smokers haven't asked for a break in over 4 hours.

It is only 7:30 and the store closes at 10, we have been waiting all day to see if corporate gives us the authorization to close up early. They hardly ever do down here. I was told that a couple of years ago there was a massive flood and the corporate office asked if Nick, could borrow a boat to make it in.

We haven't had a single customer since 3, and as the good customer service manager I am I have had all the employees pitching in to make the store look its best. OK, not really, I have been keeping everyone busy because if I didn't than they just stand around gossiping. So far, the registers have been deep cleaned and fully stocked with bags, every dressing room has been cleaned out and all the clothes put away and now everyone is helping to refold the bane of our existence, the men's graphic t-shirt display. I have two people over in the home goods department wiping down the pots and pans display. If we have to keep this up until 10 tonight, I am going to have to pull out the box of opened undies and socks and we can play the matching game.

"Where did Becci run off to?" one of the girls folding shirts asks.

"She took some stuff over to the children's department to put it away" says another.

I frown, I thought we already took everything back over there, and that department is near the office, near where Justin is. Like it always seems to be, I am working with Justin as management tonight. He hasn't really spoken to me since the other night after the beating he gave me. I am glad, I want to be through with him, I should have never let it get this far to begin with. That's why earlier today, I went into the back office to check some sales number and slipped my resignation letter under Nick's door. It's always locked when he isn't here so I know that no one will see it except for him. I told him that I am quitting in two weeks, why I am quitting, and about the thing I saw a few nights ago that has me concerned. I also asked that he not say anything to anyone because I didn't want to stir things up before I had found another job.

I wander over to the children's department to locate Becci. I find her coming out of the dressing room, face flush, straightening her skirt back into place. I frown harder, I have a terrible suspicion about what, or rather who, she has been doing in there.

"Where have you been?" I ask, trying to keep my tone light and unassuming, but coming across as snide and bitchy.

"Putting stuff away, like you told me to whore." Her response is a false innocence and the name calling is really uncalled for given that I am her boss and nearly a decade her senior. Good thing she is seasonal help because come February 1st when the management team sits down to discuss who to keep and who to let go, she is at the top of my let go list. Reason? A- terrible attitude and shitty work ethic. B- she is fucking management. Unfortunately, reason B might be the reason that she stays on...

I eye her. "Well looks like you are done here, why don't you run along back to the men's department and help finish up those shirts?" I try to kill the annoyance from my voice and be the bigger person but the bratty look she gives me tells me that I was not successful. I want to ask her where Justin is, but I think I already know, and I don't want to give her the satisfaction. He is probably hiding behind the wall, listening to this whole exchange. I could call him out on it, but I do not want a repeat of the other night, my back still stings if I move the wrong way. I need to remember to ask Berry to re-key my lock.