Cast Me Gently by Caren J. Werlinger Page A

Teresa,” came a chorus.
    “I can help you here,” said Linda.
    Teresa stepped to her window, avoiding looking at Ellie.
    “Cold day for a walk.”
    “Better than trying to drive in this,” Teresa said, struggling to extricate the moneybag from the sling under her coat. She got it out and plunked it down on the counter. While Linda counted the deposit, Teresa stole a look in Ellie’s direction, but she was busy doing something and didn’t look up.
    “Here you go,” Linda said, handing the moneybag back. “The deposit slip is inside.”
    “Thanks,” Teresa said. “See you soon.”
    She went to the counter in the middle of the lobby where she stalled, taking her time getting the moneybag tucked back into the sling. Another customer came into the bank.
    “Need some help?”
    Teresa looked up to see Ellie standing there. She looked very pretty in a navy turtleneck. “Thanks, I think I’ve got it.” The other customer had stepped up to Linda’s window. Lowering her voice, Teresa said, “Are you doing anything Saturday evening?”
    “No. Why?”
    “Well, my sister-in-law asked me over to their house for dinner on Saturday, and I just wondered if you’d like to go. If you’re not busy.”
    Ellie’s face lit up. “No, I’m not busy. I’d love to meet your brother and sister-in-law.”
    Teresa finished buttoning up her coat. “Great. I’ll pick you up at five-thirty?”
    “Five-thirty. I look forward to it.”
    Teresa didn’t remember much about the walk back to the drugstore. Her mind was occupied with the anticipation of spending Saturday evening with Ellie, and her heart was racing. She knew it had nothing to do with the exertion of walking.
    “I wondered when you were going to get back.”
    Teresa did a double take as she entered the store. Bernie was sitting at the counter, drinking a latte.
    “Hey. What are you doing here?”
    Bernie twirled on her stool. “Snow day. Thought I’d come over here and hang out with you for a while.” She glanced over to where Sylvia was vigorously polishing the glass of the candy display case, her back to them. She looked back at Teresa with a questioning expression.
    Teresa jerked her head toward the back. Bernie slid down off her stool, carrying her latte back to the office where Teresa was peeling off layers.
    “What in the hell is going on?” Bernie whispered. “Your mother’s been pissy since I got here.”
    Teresa rolled her eyes. “I got mad because I got my butt down here early to shovel and open, and Gianni calls to say he’s going to be late over at Morningside. Do they yell at him? No. Do they do anything? No.”
    Bernie held up her hands, sloshing her latte over the side of the cup. “So? That’s how it always is. Why is your mother so angry?”
    Teresa grabbed a tissue and wiped up the spilled coffee. She closed the office door and sat down to unlace her boots. “I might have said some things.”
    Bernie perched on the desk. “What things?”
    “I’m sick and tired of Gianni getting paid more than me for not working.” Teresa sighed. “I said I might not always live with them.”
    Bernie’s mouth opened and closed. “Holy shit! Are you moving out?”
    “No,” said Teresa quickly. “I just… I want them to not take me for granted.” She shook her head. “I shouldn’t have said it.”
    “Don’t go feeling all guilty, Bennie.” Bernie took a sip of her latte. “You always do this. When you finally get fed up enough to say something, you feel guilty about it. They know this about you. They use it. To hell with them.”
    Teresa looked up at her.
    “I didn’t mean that,” Bernie said. “But, Jesus, you need to stand up for yourself and not feel bad about it.”
    Teresa flung an arm toward the store. “That’s easy to say. Until you have to live with the silent treatment.”
    “You gotta get tougher. Outlast her. She won’t stay quiet forever. You’re not that lucky. She’s got more to say to you.” Bernie hopped down