Page 60 of Cakes for the Grump

Based on the gleeful noise she makes, it’s as if he’s told Janice he is Daddy Warbucks, here to solve grievances for all orphans in the world.

“Right, right. You know I was praising her because I didn’t want to influence your opinion. But I’m also not surprised you have complaints,” says Janice. “In fact, I’ve said it to her myself. Bad behavior deserves to be punished. It’s good for the character to repent, and that’s part of my role here in this building. Making sure they repent.”

I don’t know what Luke’s master strategy is, but he has no time to buddy-buddy complain about me to Janice without his reasons. With him, there is always a ploy. Whatever the case, I’ve had enough.

I lift my legs off the bed and swing them around until they find the ground. Next step is to rise up. If I get up in one big movement, my hand can grip the wall for support. I’m so focused on my task, the conversation between Luke and Janice starts sounding like a radio channel suffering from static.

“Are you telling me you task chores?—”

“Yes, and?—”

“And every week your tenants?—”

“Yes,” said Janice, “and?—”

“—administered to Rita?”

“Yes,” says Janice with enthusiasm, “but I’ve only used my methods because she was?—”

“—so the cleaning was?—”

“Yes—exactly that!”

“I see.”

No, I don’t want Janice to bring up toxic cleaning solution, or scrubbing until your knuckles almost crack, so I stand up?—

And lurch back and forth, my balance way off. An arm catches me at the waist before I fall. Apparently, I exist for Luke again. He helps me into a sitting position on the bed. “Are you okay? Rita?”

“She’s fine,” Janice answers for me. “Looking for attention any moment?—”

“Quiet, Janice.”

“Excuse me?”

“A tenant has the right to reside in their dwelling peacefully without being disturbed by the landlord. Furthermore, the property must be habitable and remain so for the duration of the tenancy. Clearly, this place is not.”

“The owners,” whines Janice. “That is theowner’sresponsibility.”

“Mostly, but as a building manager, who is… What did you say…? Like a mother to her tenants? Rest assured, you have culpability.”

“Culpa—what?”

“Responsibility,” says Luke, explaining smoothly. “The kind that a judge will come after you for. Out of curiosity, did you really think you could enforce maintenance chores on your tenants and get away with it?”

Janice sputters.

“You’ll need your outrage because my lawyers are coming for you.”

There are some scuffling noises that start and stop just as suddenly.

“I wouldn’t dare lay a hand on Ms. Singh if I were you. You don’t touch her. If you want to hit someone, try me. I won’t fight back, and we can add assault to the case.”

Janice shrieks. “You are done for, Ms. Singh! If you think you can use this man to intimidate me, maybe you’ve forgotten there are no male guests allowed in your lease agreement! I won’t have any hussies in my building. I don’t know how she tricked someone like you, Mr. Abbot?—”

“Careful. You don’t talk to her like that.” That’s Luke. He sounds a bit murderous there. “I won’t let you talk to her like that.”

I force my eyes to focus on them.