Casey took the subway down to the store. At the hat counter, she found Sabine and Judith speaking intimately. Neither seemed upset.
“Ah, the prodigal daughter has returned,” Sabine remarked without much humor.
“I’m really sorry. For leaving like that.” Casey then told them what she could about Ted, Ella’s medical issues, and how Ella’s mother had died in childbirth.
“Oh,” Judith replied. What could she say?
“Anyway, I made a decision,” Sabine said proudly, ready to dust her hands off of this event. She had a very strong need for closure. She turned to Judith. “Just knock the hours off her time sheet. Obviously starting from when she left and add back in her break time, which she’s entitled to spend however or with whomever she wants.”
Sabine straightened up to leave. Casey was supposed to have stopped by for cheesecake but had failed to call her about it. At two-thirty, when Casey usually took her break, Sabine had phoned Judith to ask where Casey was. That was when Judith had informed her that Casey had stormed off her post with a friend without giving any explanation.
Casey tried not to shake her head, unable to believe Sabine’s docking bullshit. Sabine had given her a watch worth thousands of dollars, and she was quibbling about maybe fifty bucks. It was insane.
“But she ran over her break time last week, too. She owes twenty minutes,” Judith said with a tinge of satisfaction.
“Thanks, Judith. You’re a brick,” Casey said. This used to be one of Jay’s favorite expressions. “Really so helpful.”
Sabine, who was about to step away, turned back instantly. “Listen, Casey, mind your manners. You cannot behave this way in front of me, your supervisor, or any customers.”
Casey cocked her head. There were no customers near the counter.
“Do you understand? You can’t get upset at Judith because she didn’t cover for you. That isn’t her job. That’s not what I pay her to do.”
“Don’t yell at me,” Casey said quietly.
“I will correct my employees when and how I deem necessary,” Sabine said. At the word employee, Casey’s jawline went from its natural curve to a bony hardness.
Judith considered mentioning that Casey’s friend did sound a little bonkers but didn’t know how to bring it up now.
A pair of elderly women stopped by the counter to admire the boaters trimmed with fabric roses. They looked like twin sisters, somewhere in their late eighties or nineties, spry and impeccably turned out in Mainbocher-style suits.
Judith opened her mouth, but Sabine cut her off. “Judith, take last week’s break time off, too. I never want to hear about you letting her borrow against her break time. This credit issue is something Casey needs to fix.”
Judith said yes, then switched to serve the older women, who now stood before her.
Casey’s neck flushed scarlet.
“And you. . .” Sabine faced Casey, trying to smile at her. Her voice grew gentle. “Stop by my office today after work.”
“Sorry. Can’t do it. Tina will be here after work. I haven’t seen her in over a year.” Casey had missed her MIT graduation. She wouldn’t keep Tina waiting. “Tell me whatever it is you want to now.” She wasn’t the least bit ashamed of her behavior that afternoon. If Sabine wanted to fire her, take back the offer to pay for B school, have her return the watch, Casey didn’t give a rat’s ass. She’d grown up without Rolexes—her friendships were not negotiable for legal tender or gifts. Casey refused to make eye contact. The more she thought about it, the angrier she grew. “I said I was sorry, Sabine. You know I wouldn’t have left unless it was urgent. Ella had a genuine crisis.”
Sabine didn’t know whether to be insulted or impressed by the girl’s fantastic nerve. “But you have a job, Casey Han. Work comes first.” She felt she had to teach Casey an essential lesson in business: “Everyone, sweetheart, can be replaced.”
“Fine.” Casey shrugged. Replace me was on the tip of her tongue.
Sabine took a long breath and touched Casey’s forearm. How could she break into the girl’s glassy gaze?
“I’m not here tomorrow. Let’s talk next week. When all of this will seem foolish.” Sabine smiled at her again. “Okay, Casey? Everything all right?. . . Casey?”
“Yup.” Casey smiled back at her boss.
As she walked away, Sabine turned once. Casey’s body had grown rigid and tall, like a cornstalk. She could be heard asking one of the two women if there was something she’d like to try on.