Bennett, this is Rita in human resources.

Please do not discuss your separation with anyone until you have spoken with our counsel.

I read it twice.

I set the phone down and turned the laptop so the screen faced the wall.

“You want to tell me what that was?” Marlene said, wiping her spot.

“Human resources,” I said.

“They want me to keep quiet.”

She made a small sound and moved down the counter to a man in a seed cap who wanted his eggs turned over hard.