Tennis in Heels

by Sophie Kaye

  “Do you believe him?”

  Michael shrugged.

  “What he said made sense.”

  “Are you giving up on Bellfrey?” Jessica held her breath. Had he given up on her?

  “Look.” Michael shifted in his chair. “Bellfrey will survive without a bank. I'm sure someone will figure something out.”

  “Someone?”

  Michael ran his fingers through his hair.

  “There's more.”

  “He offered you something.” Jessica leaned back. “He made you change your mind.”

  “Look. I'm not-” Michael ran his hand through his hair again, messing it up. “The petition wouldn't work. They don't care about the inhabitants of a small town they've never heard of. All they know about Bellfrey is that the bank here isn't making them any money. Even with the new figures since we started the petition, it's not enough to make a decision.”

  “It's not about the numbers.” Jessica resisted the urge to lean forward and fix his hair. “It's about the people. They'll see that. When we present the-”

  “We won't be presenting.”

  Jessica stared at him with her mouth open. “What do you mean? We have the petition.”

  “The meeting is during the workday. Cory said if we're not at the bank, working, we're all fired.”

  “What?”

  Michael shrugged. “It's a regular workday. We can't close the bank. It'll give him enough reason to fire us.”

  “But if the bank closes you're out of a job, anyway.”

  “He said they might have something nearby. Or they might restructure something.”

  “And you believed him?”

  “Jessica. It's complicated. We can't get on the bad side of Davenport-Higgs.”

  “It's not complicated.” Jessica stood up. “It's about people, loyalty and fighting for what's right.”

  “Don't talk to me about loyalty.” Michael stood up. “You kissed me while you were seeing someone else.”

  All the blood left Jessica's face.

  “I wasn't seeing him.”

  “You went on a date with him.”

  Jessica's mouth moved, but no words came out.

  There was a knock on the door.

  “Is this the right-?” A man in a suit came in. “Ah, you must be Ms. Sangold. I'm here to take over your job.” He placed his briefcase on the desk and stretched out a dry, bony hand.

  Chapter Twenty

  “What?” Jessica ignored his hand. Her eyes went from his fake smile to Michael. “Michael?”

  He stared at the floor.

  “You're firing me?” Jessica gaped at him.

  “It's not like that,” Michael said.

  “It's my understanding that you'll be paid for the entire agreed-upon work period.” The man in the suit said and dropped his hand.

  “I don't care about the money.” Jessica grabbed her crutches. “Michael?” She pushed her way past the man.

  “I had no say.” Michael was staring at his shoes. “Cory thought that it would be better if-”

  “Cory thought?” Jessica took a step closer. “You're firing me because of Cory? Weren't you just lecturing me about loyalty? How is this loyal?”

  Jessica grabbed her coat and bag.

  “It wasn't my decision,” Michael said and held out a hand.

  “Of course it was your decision,” Jessica snarled at him. “You're the one who went to Cory and let him convince you of whatever it is he promised.” She struggled to get her coat on. One of her crutches fell to the floor with a clatter. “You're the one who wouldn't listen when I said there was nothing going on between me and him. Is this your way of punishing me?”

  The man in a suit handed her the crutch. Jessica snatched it off him.

  “Well, fine. You got your revenge.”

  She took a step to get past Michael

  “Jessica.” He grabbed her arm. “You were only here temporarily. You'll get the money you were promised. This way you can take it easy.”

  Jessica closed her eyes. Take it easy? Did he think he was doing her a favor?

  “What's going on back here?” Maggie showed up at the door.

  “Michael is firing me.” Jessica spat out the words.

  “It wasn't my decision.” Michael let go of her arm.

  “You're what? You can't fire Jessica.”

  The suited man piped up. “I'm afraid it's already been done. Orders from HQ.” He smiled and rocked back on his heels.

  “Was I talking to you?” Maggie put her fists on her hips. “I think not. So why don't you just settle down and we'll get to you later.”

  The man turned red. Maggie switched her attention to Michael.

  “Well?” she said.

  Michael shrugged. “It's out of my hands.”

  “Are you serious?” Maggie stepped next to Jessica. “You're just going to let them fire her?”

  “Jessica's fired?” Rita came into the room and pulled her cardigan closer around herself as she walked up to Maggie.

  “She'll get paid for the time she was supposed to work.” Michael sounded less sure of himself.

  “He also said the bank is closing down,” Jessica said.

  “What?” Maggie still had her fists on her hips. “They haven't voted yet, have they?”

  “No,” Michael said. “But when they do there's no way for us to win.”

  “You don't know that.” Rita stood up straight. “We've worked very hard on this petition. And I've helped Jessica write a speech.”

  Michael's eyes flashed. “It's too little, too late. The bank is closing. If either of you even thinks about going there you're fired.” He pushed his way past them.

  “What was that all about?” Maggie flinched as Michael slammed his door shut.

  The man in the suit cleared his throat. The three women glared at him.

  “I should get on with my job. Could one of you tell me which papers have been gone through?”

  The three women left the room.

  “I can't believe he would do that,” Rita said and glanced at Michael's door as she held her cardigan around herself.

  “I always thought he was one of the good ones.” Maggie shook her head.

  “I don't know what happened in that meeting, but something did.” Jessica stopped by the door to the front.

  “Are you really leaving?” Rita asked.

  Jessica sighed. “I guess so.”

  “I'm going to miss you.” Maggie hugged her.

  “I'll miss you too.” Jessica kept her eyes tightly closed.

  “If there's anything we can do for you...” Rita said with a sad smile.

  Jessica nodded at her, not trusting her voice.

  “I'll call you,” Maggie said. “Are you still going to the vote?”

  “Yes, I don't know why he's dead set against it all of a sudden, but I have nothing to lose.”

  “I'll be there too.” Maggie straightened her back.

  “You'll lose your job.”

  “You think he was serious about that?”

  Jessica shook her head. “I don't know what to think anymore.”

  “Take care,” Maggie said and held the door open for her.

  Jessica passed the front room. The air outside was cold and dry. For a moment, she stood still. She had never been fired before. What did people do after they were fired?

  With a sigh, she turned towards Hailey's bakery and started walking.

  “HE FIRED YOU?” HAILEY sat down at the table with Jessica.

  The bakery smelled of cinnamon and vanilla. And fresh bread. Only a few other customers were drinking hot chocolate and eating cinnamon buns in the cozy atmosphere.

  “Well, his henchman did.”

  “Michael has henchmen?”

  “No, Cory. I'm convinced he's behind this somehow.”

  Hailey shook her head. “I just can't believe it. I'm going to have a word with him. He can't treat you like this.”

  “Cory?” Jessica broke off a piece o
f her cinnamon bun.

  “Michael. Can he not see what he's doing?”

  “I wouldn't be surprised if Cory has him all spun around.”

  “What are you going to do?”

  Jessica shrugged. “The cast comes off in a couple of weeks, so I can go back to work at the diner.”

  “No, I meant about Michael.” Hailey greeted a new customer who came in.

  “What can I do?” Jessica dipped the piece of bun in her chocolate. “I think he's made it quite clear that he wants nothing to do with me.” She sighed and leaned back. “For a moment today, I thought he might...” She shook her head and popped the chocolate soaked bun into her mouth.

  “He's a fool if he can't see how special you are.” Hailey got up and went behind the counter.

  Jessica closed her eyes and leaned her head in her hands. She listened to the customer order a special dessert for Valentine's Day, a chocolate lava cake.

  “Are you still going to the meeting about the bank?” Hailey sat down again. “Do you want me to come with?”

  Jessica sighed. “I can't think about that now. I just want to go home and sleep.”

  The bell on the door jingled.

  “Well, your dad's here.” Hailey stood up and hugged her. “Let me know if you need anything.”

  Chapter Twenty-one

  “Good morning, sleepyhead.” Priscilla put down her tablet. “I'm sorry I got home so late last night. Your father said you had something to tell me?”

  Jessica sat down on the sofa in the one living room they used. Her head ached and her eyes were puffy.

  “Are you all right?” Priscilla leaned forward. “You look like you've barely slept.”

  “I got fired yesterday.”

  Priscilla turned pale.

  “Mom?”

  “What happened?” Priscilla's voice was weak.

  “Michael had a meeting at HQ with Cory. When he got back, he fired me.”

  Priscilla folded her hands in her lap.

  “Michael fired you?”

  “I think it was Cory's idea. They already had a replacement for me.”

  Priscilla took a deep breath.

  “Mom?”

  Her knuckles were white and her jaw tense.

  “Mom?”

  “I'll be right back.” Priscilla started getting up.

  “Mom, wait.” Jessica put out a hand to stop her.

  Priscilla took a few deep breaths. “You're right. That can wait. Right now it's about you.” She sank back down. “How are you doing?”

  Jessica shrugged. The tears threatened to erupt at any time. “It was only a temporary job.”

  “Did you like working at the bank?” Priscilla moved next to her and put an arm around her shoulders.

  Jessica shrugged and stared at her hands. “The work was boring, but I liked the people. Maggie and Rita are good people. They're my friends.”

  “And Michael?”

  Jessica picked up a pillow and hugged it. “I don't think he wants anything to do with me.”

  “Oh, honey, I'm so sorry. Why don't you lie down here and I'll have Rosa bring you coffee and some breakfast in a bit. I have to make a phone call.”

  Jessica nodded. Breakfast in the living room was one of the biggest concessions her mom made. It only happened when Jessica was sick.

  Priscilla put a blanket over her and Jessica closed her eyes. She was so tired.

  She woke up when the door opened and Rosa came in with a tray.

  “.. dare you decide these matters. That's my daughter. My daughter.” Her mother was shouting on the phone.

  Rosa closed the door after her and drowned out the words.

  “Bad day, yesterday?” She said as she placed the tray on the coffee table.

  “Yeah.” Jessica sat up.

  “It got your mother all riled up, that's for sure.”

  “Who's she talking to?” Jessica took a sip of the coffee.

  “I think one of Cory's henchmen. She couldn't get ahold of Cory.”

  The doorbell rang.

  “I'll get it. You rest.” Rosa left the room.

  “...consequences. Or did you think I wouldn't find out?” Priscilla's voice was echoing through the hallway.

  Jessica tried to eat the scrambled eggs and yogurt Rosa had made her. At some point, she'd have to go calm her mom down before she fired half the company. But part of Jessica liked the fact that someone cared about her enough to shout at people over the phone.

  The door opened again.

  “Hi.”

  A bashful Cory closed the door behind him.

  “I have nothing to say to you.” Jessica stirred her yogurt. “But try my mom. She might have a few choice words.”

  “Oh, I saw your mother.” Cory took a few steps into the room. “Look, there must have been some misunderstanding yesterday.”

  Jessica raised an eyebrow.

  “I already called the Bellfrey office to let them know.”

  “Know what?”

  “Peter was only there to help you. That's it. You were never supposed to be fired.”

  “Really? And how did you manage to spin that so Michael fired me?”

  Cory paled. “I wouldn't do that.”

  “You told the journalist we were engaged and planning a wedding.”

  “Well, you gave me all the signals.”

  “I did not.”

  “Let's not argue over that.”

  “Why are you here?”

  “To make sure you're all right.” Cory sat next to her.

  “No. Why are you here?”

  “Fine, I want you back.”

  “You never had me.”

  “But we could be so great together. Just think of the business. Davenport-Higgs could be all in the same family.”

  “Cory.” Jessica turned towards him and took his hands. “I'm not interested in you.”

  “Jessica.” He squeezed her hands and smiled. “I'm not giving up on us.”

  “Right.”

  Jessica's head swiveled to the door. Rosa stood holding it open for Michael.

  Michael's eyes took in the scene, Jessica and Cory sitting on the sofa holding hands next to a half-eaten breakfast. With one last look at Jessica, he turned and left.

  “Wait.” Jessica pulled her hands away and scrambled to her feet. “Michael, wait.” She reached for her crutches.

  Cory nabbed them and held them out of her reach. “Let him go, Jessica. We don't need him. I can make you happy.”

  “Give me my crutches, Cory.” Jessica glared at him.

  “I need you to know I forgive you.”

  “What?”

  “For the way you acted at the gala. I've given it a lot of thought and I forgive you.”

  “You forgive me?” Jessica stared at him. “You know what, I don't care. I don't care about you or the gala or your forgiveness. In fact, I'd be happy if I never saw you again.”

  “You don't mean that.” He sighed. “I guess the broken leg is more taxing on you than either of us realized.”

  “Give me my crutches, Cory. I have to go after him.”

  Frederick appeared in the doorway.

  “I think it's best if you give the crutches to Jessica and leave my house,” he said in a low voice.

  “Yeesh, I was only joking around.” Cory handed Jessica the crutches and got up. “It's like nobody can take a joke anymore.”

  “Leave. Now,” Frederick said.

  Cory stomped off.

  “Did Michael leave?” Jessica asked as she stumbled to the door.

  “I'm afraid so, honey. Do you want to go after him?”

  Jessica nodded with a lump in her throat.

  “I'll get the car.”

  Chapter Twenty-two

  “Twice in two days? What brings me this honor?” Hailey said as Jessica and Frederick entered her bakery.

  “Unfortunately, our bad luck,” Frederick said. “Can we get two hot chocolates and cinnamon buns?”

  Jessica sat dow
n at one of the empty tables next to the counter. Sage had her own little corner with a smaller table and some toys. The little kids' table had been a huge hit among the younger citizens of Bellfrey. There was even a little kitchen set and teapot so they could have their own bakery.

  Jessica smiled at Sage and the little boy who were serving each other tea.

  Frederick placed a mug of chocolate in front of Jessica and sat down.

  “Here you go,” Hailey said and put down the cinnamon buns. “It's not Michael again, is it?”

  Jessica grimaced.

  “Oh, Jessica.” Hailey sat down with them. “Is there anything I can do? Do you want me to talk to him? I've been trying to stay out of it but I don't know how much longer I can.”

  “I think he got the wrong impression earlier today,” Frederick said carefully.

  “What happened?” Hailey asked with a glance at Sage.

  “Cory came by this morning.”

  “Ooh, that doesn't sound good. I mean, I've never met the guy, but bad things seem to happen when he's around.”

  “He was trying to convince me to take him back. As if we ever were a couple.” Jessica shook her head. “I refused, of course, and Michael walked into what must have looked... suspicious.”

  “What did he do?”

  “He left. I tried to follow, but... no luck.”

  “I have a feeling, things between you and Michael would be totally different if Cory wasn't involved,” Hailey said.

  “That man is not setting foot in our house again.” Frederick sipped on his chocolate.

  “We've been looking for him all day so I could explain to him. We went to the bank, but of course, that was closed, since it's Saturday. So we went to his apartment but there was no answer.”

  “I think he might have gone with Sam to Langford, do you want me to call and check?”

  Frederick perked up. “We can go to Langford.”

  Jessica shook her head. “No. I'm just so tired.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yeah. I'll just focus on the vote and saving the bank. Then after that, I can think about Michael again.”

  “When is the vote?”

  “Thursday. I have a speech prepared that Rita helped me with, and I have the petition.”