Betrayal at the Counter

ions, I'd started to feel a sense of crisis. Jenna began bringing more and more foo

me with more elaborate dishes-roast chicken, slow-cooked beef stew, and garlic butter shrimp. One

k room later than usual. As soon as I stepped

today?" I said cheerful

ustered around an almost-empty platter. All that was

Surely, Jenna-my appren

ed with roasted chicken and sautéed vegetables. My heart warme

care of your mentor," I tea

h. "That's for the manager. The rest

h. Finish what? There w

latter and said, "Wow, you all must've be

, leaving me alone in the break room, inhaling the lingering aroma of food as I ate my bland takeou

been rated "outstanding" last year, was n

ring small groups of younger colleagues. As a married woman, I couldn't join them as freely. My husband didn't

rity at work, I could feel the distance growing during breaks. They gathered around Jenna, ch

enever he saw me, but the warmth was gone. She would q

anager asked for suggestions for the annual holiday gifts. I proposed something practical-gif

ing a new neck massager, saying it would help with

, everyone unanimously supported Je

t cards or essentials were still a solid option. But someone quickly interjected,

slap. After all, I had be

th "popular demand" and decided

hone to show the manager links to the product. She nod

, my legs felt weak. H