It was Wednesday, the slowest day of the week, still too far from the weekend. I was sitting in the Deli having lunch with Elise when Karmen burst in, wild-eyed. She stomped up to our booth and sat down so loudly I was fearful for her tailbone. None of us said anything, so she stood up again and bellowed, "Well, if you must know, I got fired!"
"I'm not surprised," Elise said and went on to sip her lemonade. I tried to be empathic.
"What happened?" I asked. Celie came and placed some ice in our drink.
"Good news," she said. "If you're fired, here have some ice for the burn."
"Leave her alone!" I exploded. Karmen slumped down again, resting her head on top of her folded arms like grade-school girls do during detention. From down there, she narrated what had happened.
"This rich i***t wa
