Chapter 4

"Right? These construction guys handle deals worth millions. What's a lousy sixty bucks to them?"

The accusations kept building. People waved their hands at me, jabbing fingers, spit practically flying into my face.

Clint couldn't hold back and nudged Hudson with his elbow again.

"That's enough out of you, don't you think?"

"You know exactly how much business Ms. Henson brings you in a year. Blowing up over sixty dollars—you really aren't afraid…"

Hudson didn't let him finish.

He shook Clint's arm right off.

Eyes bulging, neck stiff, he screamed like the wronged party.

"What do you mean, a little thing?"

"I run a small business. I count every last cent!"

"I'll say it right here and now. Don't pay me the sixty dollars, and starting tomorrow I stop delivering these lunches!"

"When the workers can't get a hot meal and go hungry, don't blame me for being cold about it!"

It should have been the lunch break, but there they all were, the whole crew crowded at the gate.

And I suddenly felt there was no point arguing anymore.

Hudson stood there red-faced, refusing to give an inch, and it turned my heart cold.

I thought about that little shop of his. If I hadn't sent business his way, hadn't helped spread the word.

If I hadn't put up with the hassle and insisted on settling his bill daily, how would he have lasted this long?

Later, when the meat in the lunches shrank and got swapped for cheap greens, it wasn't that I hadn't noticed. I just kept telling myself a small business had it hard, so I'd pay out of my own pocket and treat the workers to deli meats now and then, and I never once had words with him over it.

Now I could see it clearly. All of it had just been me moved by my own decency.

"Fine. Stop shouting. I'll pay you."

I let out a long breath, and something suddenly felt lighter.

"Sixty dollars. Check your account."

Hudson glanced down at the transfer and hit accept on the spot.

The hard set of his face relaxed at once. He shook his phone at the crowd around him.

"See that? This sixty dollars is what I'm owed."

"If she weren't in the wrong, why would she ever have sent me the money?"

I gave a helpless twist of my lips.

The crowd, seeing it was settled, lost interest one by one and drifted off.

"Alright, I'm heading out then."

"Two hundred and fifty lunches tomorrow, six bottles of vinegar. Have it here on time."

Hudson tipped his chin up, his face nothing but smug.

But there wasn't a trace of the old courtesy left in me. My voice was flat, and it landed hard.

"Starting tomorrow, this site doesn't need you delivering meals here anymore!"