Chapter 21
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Erica had mixed feelings regarding Sarah at the moment. It wasn't her fault, how she was raised, what had happenned to her. On the other hand, she was clearly a bad influence on Bianca. She was seducing Bianca and/or her boyfriend. It was one thing to prefer both men and women, it was quite another to try and seduce two underage people into a three-way. Erica had to look that up on the internet. It turned out that the age of consent in Pennsylvania was 16, Bianca's age, but there were a number of "corruption of minors" laws which made the de facto age 18. And these were seldom prosecuted unless the older person was at least 21, Sarah was only 19. Erica decided that Sarah needed to leave, mainly for Bianca's sake. But Erica didn't want to throw her out with nothing. Paying someone to leave town was a time-honored tradition amongst the ruling class, Erica just had to be delicate about it. Erica decided to speak with Sarah in private.
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Sarah: Yes mrs Kane?
Erica: I'm about to tell you something, but I need it to be a secret.
Sarah: Sure, I'm good at keeping secrets.
Erica: Excellant. This last year I've made a few bad investments. My family won't be in the poor house, but we do have to cut back on our expenses. And perhaps Bianca is old enough to help clean the house.
Sarah: You're firing me?
Erica: Yes. It has nothing to do with your performance, you've done a great job. I know this is sudden, and it would be unfair to not give you severance pay. Let's say, six months severance.
Sarah: So you can't afford to keep me but you can afford to pay me for six months of no work?
Erica: It's better this way Sarah.
Sarah: Why?
Erica: I know, about your past.
Sarah: What exactly do you know? What did Bianca tell you?
Erica: She didn't tell me anything, but I can tell things are awkward between you two. A private investigator told me about your traumatic childhood, your criminal record. And I know your real name is Kendall Hart.
Sarah: That's who I was, once. When I got out, I just wanted a fresh start.
Erica: I can't blame you, after all you've been through. But my daughter is a confused child. Please just take this check and go.
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"Sarah" looked at her mother, for what might be the last time. She talked about Bianca as if she were the only child she ever had, all she ever was to Erica was an inconvenience. Sarah stormed off, didn't bother to grab Erica's check. Erica was never going to accept her as a daughter if she knew the truth, and Bianca would probably always be mad at her. There seemed little point in staying in Pine Valley anymore.