Page 16 of Dirty Judge

I saved my tears for later and steered out of the lot and into the far left lane on the highway. I ignored all the honking that came my way, making my usually twenty-five minute commute forty minutes instead.

I was never going to break a traffic law again…

I pulled into my usual spot at the children’s library.

In desperate need of a break, I grabbed my Belle princess costume from the trunk and rushed inside.

I clocked in and made my way to the towering cardboard castle.

“Oh, hey there, Olivia!” My manager stepped in front of me. “Can I talk to you for a moment?”

“Actually…” I sighed. “Can it wait until after my readings? I really just want to start today with something fun, if that’s alright.”

“No, uh…” She shook her head. “We sent out an email cancelling the readings earlier this morning.”

“Oh. Is the air conditioning out again?”

“No, it’s…” She shifted on her feet. “We have to let you go. Effective now.”

“Wait, what?” I stepped back. “You’re firing me?”

“Not firing you. Gently laying you off.”

“That’s the same thing.”

“It’s not personal, Olivia…” She refused to look me in the eye. “We just don’t have money in the budget to keep you on anymore.”

“Then why didn’t you tell me this last week when you were making the schedule?”

“I didn’t want to make you sad,” she said. “I know how poor you are…”

“Yet, you’re still firing me.” I crossed my arms. “How long have you known this was going to happen?”

“Don’t make this hard on me, please…” She stepped over to the sign-in table and picked up a gift bag.

“We made you this in appreciation for all you’ve done.” She held it out to me. “Everyone chipped in and got you something.”

“Thanks.” I was tempted to throw it, but I gently took it from her hands. “I’m still getting paid this Friday, right?”

“Of course.” She nodded. “And I added an extra bag of sour gummies as a huge thank you, too! You really were the best story time actress we’ve ever had here.”

“No hard feelings, right?” She held out her arms for a hug. “You can always come back and read stories for free whenever you feel like it.”

I turned around and stormed toward my car.

“Oh, come on, Olivia!” She called after me. “I thought you were more mature than this!”

I slid behind the wheel and tossed the bag to the passenger seat.

She rushed out of the entrance right as I slammed my car in reverse.

Okay, that’s it!I wanted to scream.

Before I knew it, I was heading back to Manhattan, back to the courthouse to file a complaint against that terrible judge.

Terrible “sexy” judge…

I made sure the meter was paid before rushing into the courthouse, right to the ethics and complaints room.