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Margaret spat,with her bulk sprawled on the couch.
“A million?Your word?I say you’re a homewrecker—why not admit it?Want to survive here?Keep your head down and stay away from my husband,or next time will not be so easy.”
She stood,grabbing her sonand leaving.
I moved to stop her.She twisted my arm,snarling,“Helen Carter,you’ve crossed me.I’ll make your life hell!This plant’s ours—I’m in charge here.Cross me,and you’re done!”
She slammed her hefty body into me,sending me crashing to the floor,knocking over a coffee table.
Hot tea splashed my hand,scalding my hand and turning it red.I nearly cried from pain.
The manager and principal exchanged glances.
The manager,who was feigning kindness,said,“Helen,I heard your police report mentions an antique?”
I shook my hand,wincing.“Yes.Why?”
He coughed.“Just clarifying.You’ve got losses,but you’re new here.Maybe settle this quietly.We’re all busy with the international contract.”
My heart sank.He was shielding Margaret, had clearly bought off by her family.
“Margaret stormed my home,beat me,trashed my place,and now my daughter’s hurt.You want me to let it go?”
His face hardened.“If you were proper,why would she target you?”
My anger flared.“I did nothing!You asked Frank,didn’t you?You’re just protecting Margaret!”
He snorted.“You say nothing,but why did she single you from everyone?Must’ve done something to make her think that.”
My mind was reeling.“Blaming the victim?What’s Margaret paying you to ignore the truth?”
He eyed me disdainfully.“Margaret’s our accountant, who controls the finances.Her dad built this plant before it went public.You work in their house and dare complain?”
“It’s state-owned now!”
He smirked.“Helen,you have a child—don’t be so naive.”
I took Lily home,meticulously listing the damages and submitting them to the police.
Checking the time,I saw it was near the plant’s end-of-day inspection—when everyone was present.
I rode my bike back,sneaking into the plant’s radio room.
The broadcasters were at the plaza,leaving it empty.
I cleared my throat and hit the green button.
“Attention, workers and leaders at the steel plant.I’m Helen Carter,third shift millworker.I’m addressing Margaret Walsh’s false accusations.”
The plant erupted.
The leaders frantically sent people to stop me,but the distance gave me time to explain everything,including my submitted damage list.
I knew most saw a wife beating a“homewrecker”as juicy gossip, and cared little for the truth.
But with America’s 1980s economic reforms,we needed open minds,not just markets.
I wanted to shatter stereotypes about women like me.This was just the start.
I added,“Margaret’s paranoid and controlling.I barely know Frank Walsh,yet she framed me.Others in this plant have likely suffered too.I urge those women to find me—let’s fight for our rights together.”
