“Walter!” Beatrice exclaimed, forcing a smile. “What a lovely surprise!”
“Is it?”
I’d hate for you to miss what’s coming.
I recognized Walter from newspaper photographs. He owned the supermarket chain, chaired his family’s charitable foundation, and was Beatrice’s father-in-law.
“Walter, this woman is making a scene!”
“Then explain why twelve discounted turkeys were worth humiliating someone over.”
“She’s exaggerating!”
“Did you tell her that her sick grandson wasn’t your problem?”
What a lovely surprise!
Beatrice hesitated. “That’s not exactly what I meant.”
“Actually,” I interrupted, “those were your exact words.”
“She’s lying!”
I turned toward the other shoppers. “Did anyone else hear that?”
Three people raised their hands.
This woman is making a scene!
Walter sighed. “Beatrice, I’m disappointed.”
“Over a turkey?”
“No, Beatrice. This isn’t the first time we’ve had this conversation.”
She stiffened. “What conversation?”
“About how you treat people. This isn’t the first time, Beatrice.”
