Skipped by the Altar, Taken by His Uncle novel · Chapter 6 of 24
Chapter 6: The Lockkeeper's House
The publisher didn't call me into his office.
He came out of it, at 8:01, and stood in the middle of the newsroom with his golf tan and his coffee mug.
He wanted witnesses.
"Rhea," he said. "Congratulations on your marriage."
"Thank you."
"I hear you'll be writing for the mayor's campaign."
"Under my own name. Yes."
"Then you understand we have a problem." He looked around at the five other desks, making sure they were listening. "The Courier can't have a campaign operative writing the news."
"I write obituaries."
"And weddings. And you've just used both to embarrass a candidate in front of two hundred people."
"He used my father's funeral to announce."
"A conflict of interest," he said, as if I hadn't spoken. "Effective today. Clear your desk, please. We'll mail your last check."
Nobody breathed.
He plays golf with Blaine's father every Thursday. Everybody in the room knew that, including him.
"Six years," I said.
"And we're grateful."
I stood up.
I'd thought I would cry. I'd thought about it on the drive in, practicing where to look.
Instead I opened my bottom drawer and started taking things out.
My dictionary. My mug that said WORLD'S OKAYEST REPORTER. A framed clipping of my first obituary, a woman who'd raised goats and outlived three husbands.
Connie stood up behind her desk.
She took her camera off the hook and put the strap over her head.
Then she took the Courier's camera, the expensive one with the long lens, and set it gently on the publisher's chair.
"I quit," she said.
"Connie," the publisher said. "Sit down."
"I'm a photographer. I don't work for people who fire the only one here who can spell." She came and took the box out of my hands. "I'm carrying this. You carry the plant."
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