Chapter 11
Claire had always treated the household staff with kindness and respect–this was the first time anyone in the Thompson house had acted like such entitled bullies.
Martha was shaking with anger, but she couldn’t out argue two people shouting at her. She reluctantly used the household grocery card to order an elaborate catered banquet for Tiffany’s parents.
The restaurant was thrilled to get such a massive order, but when they arrived and saw just Tiffany’s parents, the servers
ere confused: “It’s just the two of you eating?”
Tiffany’s father finally had his chance to show off and looked down his nose at them: “What, you got a problem with that? This is my daughter and son–in–law’s house. You worried we can’t pay or something?”
Tiffany’s mother grabbed her chopsticks and started digging in: “We can spend however much we want, whenever we want. Even if we can’t finish it and throw it all away, that’s none of your business, peasant. Now stop bothering us while we eat.”
The restaurant staff had never encountered customers this obnoxious. They got out of there as fast as possible, afraid that hanging around might make them catch whatever made these people so insufferably arrogant. The second they left, they were already texting their coworkers about this bizarre experience.
“I’ve really seen it all today! Rich people living in mansions with parents who have zero class. I have no idea how their daughter puts up with it, bringing them to live in her home like that. Isn’t she worried they’ll destroy her marriage?”
“I’ve seen Mrs. Thompson before–she’s gorgeous and has real class. Definitely doesn’t seem like she came from that kind of family. Haven’t seen her around lately though. Think she and Mr. Thompson got divorced?”
“Ugh, men really do go bad when they get money. But Mr. Thompson’s taste has really gone downhill. Now he’s got these new riches in–laws trashing his place. Even with all his money, he can’t afford to keep this up…”
The gossip spread like wildfire through the restaurant’s staff.
Meanwhile, back at the Thompson house, Tiffany’s parents were gorging themselves from lunch straight through to dinner. When it became obvious they couldn’t finish even half the feast, they callously ordered Martha to throw it all away.
Martha had just finished cleaning up and was getting ready to leave when she reminded them: “My shift ends at seven.”
Tiffany’s father’s expression darkened immediately: “What do you mean? You’re getting paid good money and you think you can just clock out at seven? Don’t think you can pull one over on us–our Tiffany told us you make way more than she did but work shorter hours. That changes starting today!”
“Damn right it changes!” Tiffany’s mother snapped. “My daughter’s the lady of this house now, so if you don’t want to work, I’ll have her fire your ass. Plenty of people would kill for this job.”
Martha was shaking with rage, but thinking of her disabled son at home who needed her salary for his medical treatments, she swallowed her pride and kept working.
Instead of being satisfied, Tiffany’s parents stayed right there to supervise, claiming they were making sure she didn’t slack off.
Martha had no choice but to clean the dining room without a break. Pete the gardener finally couldn’t stand watching anymore and came in to help. Working together, they managed to get the dining room spotless by nine o’clock.
But even then, Tiffany’s mother wasn’t ready to let Martha go home: “I’m tired. Wash my feet and my husband’s before you leave.”
22:03
