Chapter 23

“I have one more thing to say, so listen up.” I took a breath and reminded myself I was only minutes away from escaping from this ungrateful bunch. “I’m cutting checks Sunday night starting at seven thirty. If anyone wants to quit and get their severance pay, e-mail me before then. It has to be an e-mail. If you quit after Sunday, know that you’ll get your pay owed but no severance. So you have a couple days to make up your minds. Talk it over with your families and partners. You’ll get your paychecks on Monday night. Now have fun at the party.”

I turned, opened the door, and walked into the house. The stunned silence of the grown-ups, bracketed by the squeals of the children, followed me. As I shut the door, I could hear the murmuring start.

Ben and Connor dogged me almost at a run.

“What the fuck, Abe?” Ben shouted. “What was that all about? Why didn’t you tell us what you were going to do?”