Heather’s smirk wavers for just a second, her eyes narrowing like she’s trying to understand. “What?” she asks, blinking as if she didn’t hear me right.
“I’m the manager here,” I say, letting the words sink in, watching as her confidence crumbles.
“Actually, I own the place.”
Her eyes go wide, and the air seems to get sucked right out of the room. The smirk she’s been wearing the whole time fades, replaced with something that almost looks like panic. For the first time, Heather is at a loss for words.
The silence after my words is thick, almost suffocating.
For a split second, nobody moves. And then, boom the room erupts. My team cheers, clapping and hollering like they just won the lottery.
Jack slaps me on the back, Maria gives a victorious shout, and Sarah’s whooping like she just saw her favorite team score the winning goal.
The sound fills every corner of the restaurant, drowning out whatever feeble attempt Heather might’ve made to save face.
Heather’s face turns a deep shade of red, blotching in embarrassment. She stands there, her mouth half-open, searching for something — anything — to cling to, but she’s got nothing. Her smug smile has completely vanished.
She’s out of tricks.
Jack steps forward, grinning from ear to ear. “You’re looking at the best boss any of us have ever had,” he says, throwing an arm around my shoulder. “She’s out here cleaning tables because she cares about us.
She could’ve left Beth hanging, but that’s not who she is.”
Heather blinks, stammering for a response, but before she can get a word out, Sarah steps in. Her arms are crossed, her voice sharp and unyielding. “Maybe it’s time you left,” she says, her eyes narrowing at Heather.
“We don’t need people with ugly attitudes ruining our day.”
Heather’s bravado is completely gone now. She looks around the room, her friends suddenly shrinking back, no longer laughing or backing her up. “I… I didn’t mean anything by it” she mutters, but the fight has drained out of her.
She knows it’s over.
I step closer, not to rub it in, but to end it. “Heather, it’s okay. Really.
But maybe next time, think before you speak.” My voice is steady, no malice. Just the truth.
She stares at me, eyes wide with a mix of shock and disbelief. For the first time in her life, I think, Heather Parker has nothing to say.
With that, they gather their things, and without another word, scurry out the door.
The bell jingles above them as they leave, and the air feels lighter like a weight I didn’t even realize I was carrying has lifted.
The room is buzzing, and I can’t stop the smile from spreading across my face. Jack gives me a wink, and Sarah smirks. “That was something,” she says, shaking her head.
“Talk about instant karma.”
I chuckle, feeling the pride swell inside me. Years ago, I would’ve done anything to escape people like Heather. But now?
Now I’m standing here, surrounded by people who respect me for who I am, in a place that is mine.
“Karma,” I say, laughing softly, “served with a side of justice.”
