and emotions then you are one being controlled.
― Clyde Lee Dennis
Family Ties
We drove home from the site of The Lakeside Project so Isabel could change clothes and get ready for work.
I had to admit I felt excited at the prospect of getting to work myself and immersing myself in my late father's affordable housing venture.
Of course, I'd need a more practical vehicle at the construction site than my rental Prius. I thought immediately of Jake's F 150 Lightning—besides being a sweet ride it was an immensely capable truck and I could now justify buying one for reasons other than owning an expensive toy.
Just the thought of making a contribution to the community made me feel useful and happy.
Frizzy came running out to meet Isabel the moment we got in the door. She was mewing to be picked up and cuddled.
While Izzie fussed over her, I changed her water and put out some wet cat food and it distracted her long enough for Isabel to run upstairs and get ready.
But Izzie took longer than usual and when she came down she had a strange look on her face.
"Is something wrong?" I asked.
"Jeff, my manager, phoned and said he was being harassed by Norm Albright who leases the property to The Thirsty Cactus. Apparently Norm saw my name on the employee list and wanted me terminated because I had written an expose in the local newspaper about his shady real estate deals."
"What's with this guy?" I fumed. "He already got you fired from the newspaper—what does he want, a pound of your flesh?"
Isabel flushed, "Yeah, something along those lines."
"You mean Albright was sexually harassing you?"
"Nothing happened. He promised me an interview but when I confronted him with my research, he stormed out. Later he contacted me saying he wanted to talk but just wanted something else and when I rebuffed him, he got me fired. He actually got me dismissed before the article was published and when It came out, he forced the newspaper to print a retraction."
"Nice guy," I hissed, "the same act I've known for all these years."
She looked at me nervously. "You're not going to do anything to him are you?"
"I want to break him in two, but no, I’d rather see him brought to justice."
"Phew!" she sighed, evidently relieved, "I didn't want to tell you for fear you'd try to defend my honour."
"Ordinarily, I would, but I don't want get locked up—I’d miss you too much."
She was in my arms kissing me. I didn’t say that to impress her—it was the truth, but her show of affection was far better than fighting Albright and probably a sweet revenge on him if I thought about it.
"So, do you still have a job at The Cactus?" I asked.
She nodded. "Jeff told Albright to take a hike—he has a two-year lease and won't be strong-armed by anybody."
"That's pretty brave," I smiled approvingly, "I like a man with convictions."
"That's Jeff," Izzie concurred, "he doesn't back down from anybody."
"That's true—he stood up to Granger."
I glanced at the clock. "We should get going—your shift will start soon."
"Yeah, I doubt I'll see Granger anywhere near the Grill again."
"Not if he knows what's good for him..."
I saw the look on her face, "I meant, as far as the law is concerned."
She grinned at me. "I hoped that was what you meant."
To be honest, I wasn't sure myself what I'd do if I saw either of these scumbags again. I only hoped I'd have some self-control, but didn't want to test it.