Cheating to Survive (Fix It or Get Out) Read Online Free PDF Page B

crushed it into a tight ball, and heaved it at Victoria. “If it’ll save me money and decrease budget costs for my department, do it.” A piece of egg remnant flung from her mouth and whizzed past them landing on the table several inches in front of Heather. “This year our topic will cover all new research on diabetes. We’re doing it this Friday. Get to work.”
    “No, I only meant to educate the—”
    Jean whacked her folder shut and then stormed towards the door. The meeting adjourned in less than five minutes without her contributing anything.
    Before leaving, she twisted her neck back. “Oh, and Heather, in case the hospital policies have eluded you, there’s no chewing gum anywhere in the building.” She clutched the knob with her meaty fist and the door thundered behind her, shaking the walls.
    “Too bad I don’t follow rules.”
    “Why do you have to enrage her like that?” Catherine whispered.
    “I don’t, she’s always enraged.”
    “You know darn well she eats that for breakfast every morning.”
    “Well then maybe I just educated her on something for a change. Must she always be right? Belittle us and when we do have a good idea, steal it?” She lurched up from the chair not wanting to discuss it further. A dead topic.
    “I can’t stand her.” Catherine clenched her right fist as if she might actually do something for a change.
    “Let’s not argue,” Victoria broke up their bickering again. “We have a lot of work to do before Friday. Let’s get started.”
    ****
    Heather tried to breathe as three girls tackled her to the ground attempting to keep her restrained. Then the tickling began. Heather lifted Rori up on the soles of her feet but before she could steady her in the air, Laurel and Gia leaped in between the tower and flipped their mom to her side.
    Giggles flooded the room while the heat from the fireplace crackled and sputtered. Heather’s strength overpowered the three of them and she freed herself from the assault. She backed into the wall near the couch, arms raised and ready to attack. Heather tried to let out a low growl but it sounded more like a dying chipmunk.
    The girls bent forward in fits of laughter, unable to catch their breath. Rori climbed the couch and used the cushion as a trampoline. Gia exploded into a cartwheel then grabbed one of the pillows and hurled it at Heather. She missed and hit Laurel instead.
    Laurel’s eyebrows raised several times, then she gave her mom a wink. She lunged at Heather and grabbed her by the shoulders but Heather whisked her around and flung her onto the couch like a two-pound dumbbell.
    Rori leaped onto her mom’s leg and plopped her hiney on her foot. Heather pretended she wasn’t attached and stomped around the den with Rori’s tiny body clinging to her calf muscle. Gia clutched two pillows and pounded them in the air like pom-poms, performing a cheer “Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!”
    “What’s going on here?” Lance charged into the room and silence overtook the four of them. Rori let go of her mom’s leg and Gia placed the pillows down on the rug. Laurel stiffened. Heather’s brow frowned creating deep cavernous folds. He would ruin yet another night.
    “We’re playing. You know, having fun.”
    “The room is trashed.”
    Heather spotted the two pillows on the floor. Messy indeed. She strolled over to them and arranged them into their proper positions on the couch, but not before punching them numerous times. She plowed her fists deep within them. The pillows needed re-fluffing before taking their place on the couch. Nothing should be out of place.
    A snarl grew in the corner of his mouth.
    “There. All done.” Heather folded her arms.
    Lance edged closer until he stood over her. His mouth parted and he inhaled a deep long breath. “If I brought someone from the law firm home with me, this would be an utter embarrassment, do you understand? I never want to witness this again.”
    “Witness what?” Heather released