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God, she loved coffee.
“Oh, you’re here.”
She jumped in the air with a squeal as Eric spoke.
“Christ, do you have to make that much noise? First, you’re like a hippo, stampeding through the house and then you scream like a hyena.”
“S-sorry. I’ll get out of your way.” She snuck a look at him. He was dressed in pajama bottoms and nothing else.
Gross.
Be nice, Faith.
“About time you started doing shit around here, Faith. Earn your keep. I thought you were supposed to clean the house, but the bathroom is in a state.”
“I’ll do that today,” she said hastily.
“Make sure you do. Also, the yard work needs doing.”
“But that’s not my job,” she protested.
He turned, looming over her. “Your job is whatever the fuck I say it is. Otherwise, I’m going to tell Cammie you’re out. Then where will you go? She said you’ve got some cousin in Manhattan, so why don’t you go live with him?”
She swallowed heavily. Because she was a failure and an embarrassment, and if she lived with him, she’d feel that way daily.
“What do I do?” she asked.
“The hedges need trimming. Flower beds have to be weeded. And the garbage cans need washed out.”
“Aren’t those your jobs?” she asked.
“I’ve hurt my back. Cammie is out all weekend on a girls’ trip. So you best get moving.”
Wait. She was? She hadn’t said anything to Faith. But then, she’d hardly seen her friend this week. Faith left early and got home late, and then she was so tired she usually just fell into bed.
With a sigh, she finished her coffee and went to find some gardening clothes.
So much for taking it easy.
Faith walked gingerly as she moved along the street, trying to avoid people bumping into her.
Ouch.
She hurt.
As she stepped into the building, someone yelled out her name.
Glancing over, she smiled as she saw Lou waving at her from the café situated on this floor. She entered the cafe, moving to the counter where the other woman stood.
“Faith, morning!”
“Hey, Lou.” She wasn’t sure what Lou was short for. She only had Lou written on her name badge.
“Are you all right?” Lou asked in concern.
“Yeah, just overdid it gardening this weekend.” If Eric had helped then she wouldn’t feel so awful today. But he’d sat on his ass all weekend, watching football or basketball. Maybe both.
And his back had seemed just fine when he was jumping up and down, yelling at the TV.
