Married to a Bully

Things Are Bad

Everything was pretty typical for the next few months. Anna and Marsha were still getting the extra cash they needed since Jeff had not yet installed any new cameras. Jeff only came in on Fridays, so the two women and their other co-worker, Pete, made sure on Thursday night that the place was spotless for his arrival the following day.

Marty had been present at the store more often since Jeff's arrival. He had been only twenty-one when his uncle decided to leave him in charge of the store. Although it wasn't far from it now, it had been a real shithole then.

Marty's family wasn't as well-off as the Anderson's, but after a decade, he had become somewhat successful even without a college degree. He worked on cars when he wasn't handling things around the store.  

Even though he tried to be cordial, Marty didn't care for his cousin, who had managed to taunt him constantly when he was a kid. He went as far as to avoid Jeff at many family functions. Marty did his best to be away from the store on Fridays. But Jeff caught him one afternoon when he had just finished moving in a few new pieces.  

"We need to chat," Jeff chuckled, firmly patting his back.

Marty inwardly groaned. His shoulders held a slight tension as he followed Jeff into the small back office, shutting the door behind him.

"What's up, man?" Marty asked, rubbing his reddish beard. 

"What's up is you let those women do nothing all day but sit on their asses and get a paycheck every two weeks. How do you think that fairs with business? Oh, I forgot you don't know much about that, do you?"

"Our numbers are-"

"Shit. Your numbers are shit. You could have at least hired some good-looking bitches," Jeff started in before Marty could take a seat.

"Marsh is a little spoiled, but they've all been good employees. I can put a hiring sign out front but ain't too many people going to work for minimum wage doing all they do," he explained, taking up for his small crew.

The four of them had all been working together for years now. He even considered Pete, a good buddy of his. Anna was coming up on her fourth year at the store, and he appreciated having her as a dependable employee.

"I know you're fucking her," Jeff let out.

Eyes widened with guilt, Marty stuttered his reply, "I, I, um…."

Jeff kept his face cold, his eyes bearing on the man. He finally let up, giving a resounding laugh.

"You can't even lie, can you?" Jeff taunted, "I'm sure Jill or Jane, whoever you married, is okay with this arrangement, probably happy she doesn't have to suck your skinny dick."

With a sigh, Marty tilted his head toward the ceiling, "It was one time." he lied, sugar-coating their decade affair.

"Marsha fucking Marshall, we called that bitch M&M in school," Jeff said, leaning back in his seat.

"Please, Jeff, it's…."

"God, her mouth is as warm as I remember," Jeff winked.

His hearty laugh filled the room when Marty's face fell at the news. Wanting to change the subject from his infidelity, he explained.

"They are good employees. I keep things relaxed here. As long as they sell the furniture and collect payments, I don't see a problem."

"You call getting free money for doing jack shit relaxed? You made that bitch a fucking Manager," he scowled at Marty.