1: 1
Three years of research data I'd bled over showed up in my best friend Veronica Henson's award-winning paper.
My boyfriend Leslie Dickerson brushed it off. "She needed this chance more than you did."
Then I caught the two of them kissing in the lab. Veronica pouted, "Aren't you scared Margery Fox will find out?"
Leslie held her close and laughed. "She's too stupid. What could she ever figure out?"
Ten years together, and that was what it came to. Stupid.
I wiped my eyes and called my advisor. "Professor, I want to report Veronica for academic misconduct."
After I hung up, I posted to my feed: "Congratulations to Veronica on her award. Thank you for 'safekeeping' my data all this time."
Leslie came rushing to my place. He thought I was going to fall apart.
I handed him a card. "The rent and utilities you covered for me over the years, it's all here. We're even now."
He froze. "What's that supposed to mean?"
I smiled. "It means, Leslie, I'm done with you."
...
Leslie gripped the card, and his hand trembled.
"Margery, are you finished with this?"
There was irritation in his voice, like I was just making a scene again.
"I'm not making a scene."
I dragged the suitcase by the door a little farther out. He'd given it to me. I had no use for it now.
"Ten years together, and you're just throwing it away like that?"
He stepped forward, reaching for my hand.
I moved out of the way.
"Ten years?"
I looked at him and asked, slow and clear.
"Ten years that came down to 'she's too stupid'?"
Leslie's face changed.
He looked rattled, but the anger swallowed it fast.
"You heard that?"
"Loud and clear."
He went quiet. Then his phone rang, at the worst possible moment.
The screen lit up. The caller ID read "Vera."
He instinctively went to reject it, but his finger slipped and picked up instead.
Veronica's sweet, coy voice came through the speaker.
"Les, are you home yet? That idiot Margery didn't give you any trouble, did she?"
Leslie hung up, his face ashen.
I laughed.
"See? She thinks I'm stupid too."
"Margie, let me explain, she and I—"
"No need to explain."
I pulled the door open. "Explain it to yourself."
He blocked the doorway, his tall frame cutting off my path.
"Margery, don't push me."
"Am I pushing you, or are you pushing me?"
I lifted my head and looked at him.
"You helped her steal my data, helped her win the award, and told me she needed it more than I did. Leslie, what exactly have I ever been to you?"
His mouth opened, but nothing came out.
"Move."
My voice was cold.
He didn't move. Instead he reached out and grabbed my wrist.
"Let's talk."
"There's nothing to talk about."
I wrenched my arm free.
"Touch me again and I'm calling the police."
He started to laugh, like it was the most absurd thing he'd ever heard.
"The police? Margery, who do you think you are?"
I didn't bother with him anymore and turned to go.
He came after me from behind, his voice frantic.
"If you dare walk out that door today, then the two of us are really over!"
My steps paused for a moment.
Then I walked into the elevator without looking back.
The doors slid shut, closing off his stunned, furious face.
I leaned against the elevator wall, took out my phone, and saw the message Veronica had sent a minute ago.
"Why aren't you picking up? Scared? Margery, you can't beat me."
I blocked her, just like that.
The phone buzzed. It was Leslie's mother.
I slid to answer.
The other end launched straight into shouting.
"Margery! What was that thing you posted? Have you lost your mind? Vera is such a good girl, how could you slander her like that? You delete it right now!"
I said nothing.
"Let me tell you, our family will never accept a daughter-in-law with a heart as vicious as yours! And your marriage to Les, as far as I'm concerned it's—"
"Ma'am."
I cut her off. "Leslie and I have already broken up. That wedding was never going to happen anyway."
Then I hung up.
