6. Duke
SIX
DUKE
Business is going okay. I mean, we haven’t had a steady stream of people who will listen to a pitch about traveling, but progress is progress. And we’re finally to the weekend, which will help.
It’s been nice having an office space in an area of town where I know a lot of the people. That’s the advantage of being a local guy.
And I do everything I can to cross paths with Maggie. I might have to let out the seams in my pants in the next few weeks if I continue to get ice cream from her shop every morning. At least my mother is an expert in that.
I’ve ventured into the different flavors and levels of theory she talked about that first day, but I don’t know if I can really top moose tracks. Does that mean I’m just kidding myself about being adventurous and wanting to travel the world?
Shaking my head, I know I need to get her theory out of my head. It’s not scientifically proven or anything. And not giving full points to people for various toppings means it shouldn’t hold any weight in my mind.
This morning as I walk in, I only see Hope.
“Good morning,” I say, smiling at her.
“Hey Duke, are you in for your usual ice cream cone?” Hope asks, walking over and putting on those plastic gloves.
I chuckle and say, “I guess I’m a little predictable. I’m going to try the Cherry Garcia today.”
“Good choice,” Hope says as she scoops the pink ice cream dotted with chocolate pieces.
“How has your week been?”
Hope nods and says, “Good. Just trying to juggle business with planning a wedding. It gets to be a bit much.”
“Yeah, I’m sure there’s a lot to plan. Not that I have experience in planning a wedding.”
She laughs. “You of all people should know better than anyone what it’s like to plan a wedding. Don’t your parents still own The Bridal Barn?”
“That they do. I’m sure if I said I was dating a woman, my mom would have all the details planned out within a few hours.”
“She probably already has it done. White binder and all.”
“Have you gone in to look for a dress?” That would be how she knows about how my mom creates a white binder for each of her clients. Even though she could do everything online these days, she loves creating a physical portfolio for the bride.
She shakes her head and struggles to get another scoop of ice cream out. “No, I’m going to wear my mom’s gown, since we’re doing this so quickly. I know it’s hard to get dresses ready in just a few weeks.”
I lean closer, making sure I heard her correctly. “I can see that. But my mother is a fantastic seamstress. You should have her fit the dress for you.”
Hope hands me the cone and waves to meet her at the cash register. “I didn’t think of that. There are a couple of things I would change about it if I could. Thanks, Duke.”
“No problem. Are you planning everything yourself? With the business and a short engagement, it might be good to have someone working on it for you.”
She lets out a long breath. “I’ve thought about it. I mean, if I wasn’t running this with Maggie, I’d plan it myself. Someone was telling me that there’s a new gal in town who’s a planner. I’ve got an appointment to meet with her tomorrow morning.”
I nod, thinking of Beck’s new gal. “Yeah, her name is Dallas. My mom has a lot of great things to say about her.”
Hope hands me the cone and accidentally got some of the ice cream on my finger. I grab a couple of extra napkins from the holder.
“Will Maggie be the only one here while you’re gone?”
I shouldn’t be butting into their business, but I’m curious. And I can’t imagine it would be good for Maggie to be by herself at the shop for a week or two. Someone who comes up with an entire personality test over ice cream preferences might need some regular human interaction.
“We already have one employee and we’re hoping to hire someone today. We have a few interviews set up to find someone we can train quickly.”
I taste the ice cream, not loving this one as much as the others I’ve tried. I probably should’ve gotten one scoop instead of two.
“So, you’re going to interview, hire, and train a new employee, all while planning and having your wedding in four weeks?”
Hope’s smile falters a bit and she nods. “Yeah, when you say it like that, it sounds like a lot.”
It is a lot. But I won't rain on their parade. Then again, I think I just did.
“Well, good luck. Let me know if I can help with anything.”
“You could be Maggie’s date to the wedding,” Hope says with a laugh.
As much as I think I’d enjoy that, I’m not sure Maggie would, given my current employment, if that’s what makes her so crazy around me.
“Does she not have a date?” I ask, trying to play the question off as a passing thought and not the curiosity ready to kill the cat. Maybe it’s the fact I know she doesn’t like me and I somehow want that challenge of helping her see who I really am.
Hope shakes her head. “No. She’s very focused on one thing at a time, and right now it’s our shop. I wish she’d just relax and figure out we’re going to be fine, but that’s just how she works.”
“I don’t know if she’d want me to come, but if she can’t find anyone, I’m free. I’ll just be here.”
“No travel plans any time soon?” Hope asks.
“I wish. Maybe after the busy season.” If my business doesn’t sink.
The door opens and in walks Maggie with her arms full of stuff. A couple of baubles fall onto the ground and I lean over to pick them up, which causes the top scoop of my ice cream to fall onto the floor. I use the few extra napkins I’d grabbed to pick it up and throw it into the garbage.
“Do you have a mop or a wet rag or something?” I ask.
“I’ll get it,” Hope says, walking into the back room.
“Still addicted to sugar?” Maggie says, walking by and setting everything onto the counter.
“Absolutely. Where do I rate on the scale with Cherry Garcia? Is it like mint chocolate chip?”
Hope walks in with a mop and her eyes go wide as she looks between the two of us. “You told him your ice cream theory?”
Maggie shakes her head, focusing her attention on the box in front of her. “I might have mentioned it.”
Hope has a hand on her waist and says, “If he’s already comparing mint chip, I’d say you were fairly thorough.”
Maggie avoids looking at me and I’m wondering what that means. Maybe I’m not completely on her hit list. She did tell me I’m the third person she’s ever told about personality comparison. I didn’t believe her at the time, but it must be true.
My phone rings and I recognize the number belonging to my new salesman, Jace. “I’ve got to run, but thank you for the ice cream.”
I answer the phone and hurry over to my door, surprised he’s not here already.
“Hey Jace. I’m here at the office now.”
There’s a cough and then an, “I’m sorry, Duke. I woke up with a fever and the worst head cold possible. I don’t think I’ll be in today and probably not tomorrow, just to be safe.”
I nod, knowing that’s going to set back my timeline for this week. But what can I do when the guy is sick? I definitely can’t afford to get whatever bug he’s carrying. Being the manager means I’m supposed to be here at least until I get people trained, or no money comes in. And since I’m technically self-employed, my insurance is awful. Just another reason I’d be fine going back to being a kid again.
Finding reliable salespeople right now hasn’t been a strength for me. The suspicion that he isn’t coming in because it’s Thursday and almost the weekend is strong, but I don’t want to call him out with no evidence. I should probably be a hard-nosed manager, but I hated that pressure in my other jobs. There has to be a way to be flexible and still have people do their work. Obviously I haven’t figured that out yet.
“No worries, man. Take care and we’ll see you on Monday.”
The door opens, and someone comes in without me having to invite them in, which is a rarity.
“I hear you’ve got options for a timeshare?”
I nod. “Absolutely. Let me get you set up with the next time available for a meeting.”
And just like that, I’m back in the work groove.