It makes us sturdy and impervious to the elements. It also makes me a cranky bitch. When nine o'clock rolled around and Graciella dragged her fat ass over to my case. I was well past the bitch phase. She tapped me on the shoulder. I popped an earbud out and listened to her say, “I need to see you in the office, Kelly.” “Can't” “Excuse me?” “I can't. I'm working. I have an OTDT that requires me to be out of here in thirty minutes.” “That doesn't concern me.” “Doesn't concern me all that much either, but it gives me a good excuse.” “In the office. Now.” I looked at her and smiled the most irritating smile I could come up with. Judging by the way her eyes caught fire, I nailed it. “Jimmy's off today. No union rep. No office. Those are the rules. Anything else?” She flared her nostrils, then walked away. Thelma popped out and said, “She's their spy.” “And there's a probe stuck up her ass.” THREE HOURS LATER I SAT on the back bumper of my truck, smoked a cigarette, and watched two potheads try and take their Christmas lights down.
