Sugar Crash by Elena Aitken Page A

the possibilities.  
    Recalling Monica's recent personality morph, and all of her own screw-ups, she thought she might throw up. Something was going on, and whatever it was, Darci was pretty sure she wasn't going to like it.  

CHAPTER TWELVE

    Darci was right, she didn't like what Felicity had to say. The next morning, she made sure to be at the shop an hour before opening so she was ready when Felicity pushed through the doors. Felicity's long grey hair was pulled back into her customary bun, not a strand out of place. Some thought the look was harsh and it made the older woman look intimidating. But Darci had never felt that way, she could always see past the tough exterior to the caring, warm person beneath. Until the moment that she saw the disappointment in her eyes.  
    Felicity walked up to the counter and got right to the point. "Darci, I don't know what's going on with you. But I'm not satisfied with the way things are going around here."
    Darci opened her mouth to defend herself, but closed it again. What could she say? She'd decided long ago never use Taylor as an excuse for doing her job well, and even given the circumstances, she wouldn't give anyone, especially her boss, a reason to think she couldn't handle things.  
    "First the inventory, and then closing up shop in the middle of the day without finding anyone to cover you. It's totally unacceptable to leave the shop unattended," Felicity said. "I thought you knew better." She frowned and Darci felt the disapproval radiating from her. "Never mind the fact that you missed a mandatory staff meeting. I can't even begin to tell you-"  
    "Wait a minute." Darci interrupted. "What did you say about inventory?"
    "It was late, Darci." Felicity looked at her as if she was speaking another language. "Thank goodness Monica finished it up and sent it to me or we wouldn't have had any accurate numbers for last month, and you do understand how important the numbers are, don't you?"
    "Of course I know." Darci waved her hand. "But I sent it. Felicity, I swear, I stood right here, and..."  
    Her mind replayed the afternoon that she rushed to finish the spreadsheet. It was the day before Taylor went to the hospital. She'd meant to send it. She could have sworn she'd clicked send. But she'd been distracted by..."
    "Monica."  
    "Yes," Felicity said. "Monica sent it to me. And thank goodness she did..."
    Darci tuned out. She knew there was something going on with Monica, but she couldn't figure out what it was. It seemed almost as she was trying to sabotage Darci, but surely she wouldn't do that. Especially not with everything else going on.
    "So I decided to make Monica assistant manager."  
    "Wait." Darci's attention snapped back to her boss. "What did you say?"
    "I think she's earned it," Felicity said. "Especially with everything that's happened lately. It's a trial period of course."  
    She looked at Darci with an expression that left no question about who the trial period was really for.
    "Of course," Darci said.
    "Good." Felicity turned to leave. "I'm glad we understand each other."  
    After she left, Darci threw herself into her work. The store was busier than usual and she welcomed the distraction. She couldn't afford to lose her job, especially not to Monica. But she refused to let herself dwell on it. Darci new there wouldn't be any point in confronting Monica, not if it was her job that she was after. No, she needed to focus on doing her job the best way she knew how and look after Taylor, of course. Everything else would just have to wait.  
    ###
    As soon as her part time help arrived, Darci left Golden Moon and headed back to the hospital. She hated leaving Taylor alone all day long, but there was no choice and as it turned out, she needn't have worried. Cam and Abby were in the room when she got there.  
    "Hey, kiddo." Darci gave Taylor a kiss on the forehead. "I hope you brought homework, Abby," she said, turning her attention to the other girl. "I know