ChapterTwenty-Nine #2
I rose up and hugged him, careful not to squeeze too tightly, but enough to get that old feeling when he gave me those consoling and reassuring embraces after I hurt myself or endured a disappointment.
When I released him and sat back down, I reached and recaptured his hand into mine.
“Speaking of decisions, I haven’t had a chance to discuss the store with you.
” Daddy’s brow arched with concern, prompting me to continue.
“Jacob and I hired Koby as a full-time employee. We needed assistance with the holiday traffic.”
He bobbed his head slightly. “If that’s what you all think is best, I have no problem with it. As long as we can afford it.”
Costs. Expenses. That spurred the next portion of this conversation.
“And that leads me to my next suggestion. The store is yours, and you’ve done a fantastic job over the years, but times are changing, Daddy.
People have become lazy shoppers. They prefer comfort and convenience over specialty and niche stores for most everyday things. ”
“I’m listening.” He squinted, trying to figure out where I was going with this spiel.
“We don’t have to do this. Again, it’s simply a suggestion.
It would help with expenses and our bottom line if we expanded the store’s offerings.
We could add an online store to ship goods out or for in-store pickup.
Also, adding a sporting goods section supports a segment of our community that could benefit from it.
We have a professional minor league hockey team, several ice skating rinks, and an aquatics center.
Not to mention, our local middle and high school sports teams. We could serve those customers without them having to go outside of Skye Ridge for the resources.
I know you have your qualms, but this could truly be a win-win. ”
I paused to give Daddy time to consider it while praying that he would agree. I’d do whatever it took to keep our family business alive, but this would make it easier. Before worry could settle, the brightest smile I’d ever seen graced Daddy’s face.
“You had me when you referred to the affairs of the hardware store as we. I know running the day-to-day operations isn’t your calling, but the business is our family inheritance.
It will be yours, and I trust you to make the decisions needed to keep it running until the day comes when you can no longer maintain it. ”
His answer made me beam with gratefulness.
Daddy could be bullheaded, so his willingness to agree to the changes meant a lot to me.
It meant he trusted my vision. On the other hand, I also knew the other reason he agreed.
He considered his mortality, and knowing Daddy, he’d do anything to make it easier for me.
I couldn’t dwell on the latter for fear of sadness overcoming me.
Besides, my parents were older, and whether or not Daddy made a full recovery or not, getting his affairs in order was something he had to consider, and it was, unfortunately, something I had to accept.
Leaning forward, I kissed his cheek with the brightest grin. “Thank you, Daddy. I’m going to make this work. You’ll see.”
“I already know you will. Now stop hovering. Let an old man rest.”
I laughed quietly, kissed his forehead, and pulled his comforter up to keep him warm. As I stepped out, I felt both lighter and heavier, like someone had taken the weight off my shoulders only to place it directly on my heart.
All the talk about the hardware store reminded me that I needed to check on our numbers and go through the mail from the last couple of days.
With everything happening with Daddy and my own world having a mini implosion, I’d set store business on the back burner.
Trudging to the kitchen, I picked up the stack of mail and then headed to my makeshift office in the living room.
I sorted through the mail until I found an envelope from the bank regarding the store’s business loan.
I opened it, and my eyes ballooned. When I’d snooped the first time, I only paid attention to the fact that the loan note was overdue.
I hadn’t paid attention to the fact that a payment hadn’t been made in over three months, and they were now within the demand letters’ time limits.
If a payment wasn’t remitted by the close of business Christmas Eve, the loan would no longer be considered delinquent and move into default status.
If that happened, my parents could not only lose the store but also any collateral placed against the loan, and, worse, the loan could accelerate, making the full amount due.
Inhaling, I centered myself before panic set in and opened my laptop to check the store’s sales reports.
The December numbers had earned enough to cover all expenses, free and clear, for a month, but that would only leave my parents in the same predicament next month, facing default.
My stomach flipped into a knot, but this was no time to crumble or spiral out of control.
It was time to put my head and Jacob’s into action.
Stuffing my laptop into the bag, I told my mother I was heading to the store to check on a few things.
I grabbed my coat, purse, the bag, and hopped into the Jeep.
“Hey, you,” Jacob answered as soon as our phones connected.
“Hey. Are you on your way to church?”
“No. I caught Sunday school then left because I needed to come into the store and get prepared for tomorrow since I didn’t have a chance on Saturday,” he said, his tone shifting at the obvious rush in mine. “Is everything all right?”
“No. I’m glad you’re there. We need to discuss the store. I’ll be there soon.”
“Okay. Koby is here. He can man the store while we talk.”
Good. Jacob and I had just put out one fire. Now we had another one waiting for us, and this one threatened both of our futures.
“And be careful on the road. Take your time,” Jacob said.
Even in the midst of this dire situation, the sentiment made my heart flutter in ways that only he could. “I promise I will. See you soon.”