Chapter 2 - The Physics of a Fall
Evelyn’s manicured fingers tightened around the empty stem of the wine glass.
The skin around her eyes tightened into sharp, dangerous creases.
The grey plastic mop bucket sat between them like a flimsy border wall.
It was full of soapy water, the surface perfectly still.
"Talking back to your new boss?"
Evelyn didn't raise her voice.
She simply shifted her body weight onto her left heel.
Her right leg snapped forward.
The pointed toe of her nude stiletto slammed into the ribbed plastic side of the bucket.
The hollow thwack echoed off the stainless steel appliances.
A tidal wave of grey, soapy water launched over the plastic rim.
The bucket tipped sideways, its small wheels skidding violently across the wet tile.
It crashed directly into the maid’s shins.
The heavy plastic struck bone.
The maid let out a sharp, breathless gasp.
Her rubber-soled shoes lost their grip on the flooded floor.
Her knees buckled simultaneously.
She hit the ground hard.
The wet smack of her kneecaps hitting the ceramic tile sent a vibration through the floor.
Her hands flew out, splashing into the mixture of dirty mop water and expensive Merlot.
The white fabric of her apron instantly soaked up the red and grey fluids, turning into a bruised, muddy watercolor.
She kept her head down.
Her shoulders shook, pulling inward as if trying to fold herself into something invisible.
Evelyn stood over her, the nude stilettos planting firmly on dry tile.
She looked down at the soaked green uniform.
May you like
The corner of Evelyn’s mouth twitched upward.
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