Jeanne made it sound like women were about to be liberated from jail and Sherri alone had the power to save them all, and here she’d gone and swallowed the key. “I hardly see how I’m helping women if I keep waitressing at the Inn.”

Jeanne said, “What about college? You’re so smart. You could go to UW-Whitewater, it’s close.”

“I don’t even know what I’d want to study, and besides, I’m broke.” She held up the accounting ledger she’d carefully filled out in red and blue ink. “Jerry Derzon just listed the building, but interest rates are through the roof. If he can’t sell it, I’ll need to find someone to lease it, and we’ve been trying to get someone into the store forever.”

“You used Monopoly Jerry?” He was the biggest Realtor in town, hence the nickname. He owned a bunch of houses that he rented out, and had been badgering Sherri to sell her family’s building ever since her mom got sick. She had a feeling he wanted to snap it up himself for a low price and make it part of his empire.

Jeanne had a new strategy. “There’s an opening at the insurance agency. Why don’t you work there?”

“You think I’ll liberate women as a secretary to that disgusting Mr. Haskell? He’s chased every skirt in town. Oh hey, honey, go get me a cup of coffee why don’t you?” Sherri pretended to pinch Jeanne’s ass, trying to make her laugh and lighten up, but Jeanne swatted Sherri away, frustrated.

“You’re not in the best position to make decisions right now. I don’t want you to take that job. I’m serious.”

“I’m serious, too. Why on earth would I want to make three bucks an hour as a secretary?”

“That’s what I make and it’s fine by me for now. If you want more money, why don’t you work at the factory?”

“Don’t even suggest it.” Trent Tube made stainless-steel tubing, and they were the town’s biggest employer—and polluter. Sherri couldn’t imagine a more boring (or loud) job than stamping metal all day long. Besides, now that she knew she was pretty enough to be a Bunny, she couldn’t unknow it. It was confirmation that despite the teasing she’d endured throughout high school, she possessed all the physical qualities people found appealing. To someone who hadn’t known her since she was a kid, she might even be considered beautiful. “I want to do something different. I want to go somewhere else.”

Raylee looked at Sherri with alarm. “You mean you’re really leaving?”

“I won’t be far.”

“No, stay here, Sher. We’ll do stuff.”