Secret Shopper Read Online Free Page A

the picture?”
                  “What picture? Oh, I got a notification, just didn’t open it. Just a few of us sharing a smoke.” Smoke? All that fitness just to start smoking?
                  “You’re smoking? What smoking a pig?” I really hoped that he was.
                  “Get serious, Phoenix.” I waited to hear that he missed me, but heard him say, “I don’t want you to come to the ceremony.”
                  “Why? Am I not allowed? I swear, I’m not on the terrorist list.” I joked. I began to hyperventilate.
                  “Phoenix. Just focus and hear me out.” I hadn’t heard from Bradley in the last three days and now he had something serious to talk about. I got used to his absence and I felt like he was enjoying his vacation from me too much. Three weeks earlier, I noticed that he didn’t say two crucial things to me anymore: “I love you” or “I miss you.” I chalked it up to stress.
                  “What is it Bradley? Believe it or not I’m working now.”
    “You are? Isn’t it late? Are you by yourself? Where?” He sounded like my dad. Before I could share my night, he plowed through. “Nevermind. I called because I think we’re done.”
                  “Finished with boot camp?”
                  “No. Phoenix. You and me. I want out.” His words didn’t sink in. They came out all jumbled like he was talking in a Peanuts cartoon. All I heard was wah-wah-wah. “Phoenix. Are you listening?”
              “So, you’re done with boot camp early, right?” I had a communication glitch and my hearing malfunctioned. I watched a young couple making out.
                  “Phoenix. I’m sorry. Let me put this plainly.” I heard a woman’s voice in the background asking for the phone. Bradley muffled the cell phone and yelled back at this familiar voice. “Phoenix. I’ve been meaning to tell you this since before I left for boot camp. I mean, I wasn’t even really sure what I was feeling until just recently, but,” I felt my limbs go numb and panic bubbled in the pit of my stomach. The declaration from Bradley was like a bullet moving in slow motion straight for the space between my eyes.
                  “Bradley. Please.” The words floated painfully out of my throat.
                  “Phoenix. I’ve been doing a lot of changing in the last few months. And I want us to separate.”
                  “Separate? Why? Bradley please tell me. Is it my weight? Because I’ve already lost twenty pounds!” I heard him exhale and I swore I could smell the cigarette smoke.
                  “Phoenix, that has nothing to do with it. I’m actually with, well, I’m with someone else now.” The kissing couple realized I was gawking at them and I dropped my eyes.
                  “Doesn’t she know you’re married? Who is it?” In the back of my mind I already knew the answer. I wanted him to say it was someone else, anyone else but the person I had suspected long before this conversation happened. Jemima, known as Jem, the most beautiful real estate agent in the east county was always a threat. Real Estate Barbie, I called her once, which made Bradley angrier than warranted. Now, I knew why. The wicked woman who mentored Bradley. The one who suggested that the entire office go out clubbing once a month to “build rapport” when she actually just wanted permission to bump and grind on Bradley. The final stake was when she coerced Bradley into joining the Army reserves with her. I hated women who went after claimed men. They should all be rounded up and have their uteruses removed. Government sanctioned hysterectomies sounds harsh, but my anger sky rocketed.
                  “Phoenix. I think you know.” Bastard was going to make me utter the