Charisma
I COULDN’T BELIEVE I had a new job.
And not just any job but a legal one that wasn’t going to get me put under the jail if the police decided they wanted to shut the place down one night.
I still couldn’t believe that I’d ended up in that situation and I was glad I hadn’t told my family about me working at the bar yet.
They would’ve had too many questions and then when the truth came out they would’ve surely tried to drive over and bring me home.
My family was overprotective of me. From my older brother to my parents to my extended family, they felt I was too na?ve for the real world.
I didn’t believe that but my actions the last few days would’ve only reinforced the ideas they had about me.
I wasn’t na?ve; I was just a dreamer. Whimsical.
And for so long they tried to take the whimsy out of me.
I’d tried to conform to the type of person they wanted me to be but it didn’t stick.
I’d gotten my degree and instead of majoring in Art History, I’d double minored in it and fine arts.
My major was business, something my mother convinced me could lead to me owning an art studio or gallery, despite her knowing I didn’t want to do either.
Instead, I’d been stuck in dead in positions at a call center and living with my parents saved me enough money so that I could relocate.
They weren’t exactly happy with the idea of me leaving but I didn’t care.
I was ready to live on my own for the first time and even if I had lucked up on this; I was going to make the best of it.
My nest egg would last me a while before I was broke. This position with Nate had come right on time because with the money I would earn with him and living rent free, I’d be able to buy the supplies I needed to really create.
I looked around the room, which had to have been formerly used by someone important.
The walls held spots where I could tell trophies and plaques had once hung.
The office was positioned in the entryway of the fenced area.
When he’d taken me around the different fenced off areas, they all had different names: the arena, the pen and the chutes.
The only reason I remembered the arena because it was closest to the office and had a covering over it.
I was glad that I’d gone out and gotten a pair of work boots because the amount of walking I’d done through grass and mud would’ve ruined any of the sneakers I owned.
I really need to read up more on what all is involved in this rodeo stuff.
Nate had an issue out in the field so he didn’t have time to get my credentials added to the computer before he left.
He’d given me the phone that he used for business and told me to answer it whenever it rang.
I was supposed to have a master calendar but it hadn’t been shared with me yet.
For now I was twiddling my thumbs for an unheard of amount of money. And I had no problem with that.
This office space had several rooms in the back including a small break room and two bathrooms. The one designated for women seemed in pristine condition and I could only assume it was because so few women were here or Nate had recently remodeled it.
The walls were going to be repainted at some point according to Nate, but he hadn’t put much thought in it since he was never sitting around inside.
He’d already assigned the task to me since I had to stare at them all day.
Not something I was mad about, but this was a lot of responsibility for a first day.
“You look like you fit right on in.”
I looked up smiling at Doc as he strode into the office.
I must’ve been daydreaming because I hadn’t noticed him walking up to the front.
For him to be an octogenarian he moved surprisingly well.
I assumed his mobility would’ve been impacted by the farm work he’d made his career, but he must have taken good care of himself.
“I hope so. I want to do a good job. This place is large enough to help Nate do all the things he was talking about on the tour. He has the room to expand and I know that as long as he keeps winning he’s going to draw lots of people who want to learn from him and be trained by him.
Sports are a big deal and even if the rodeo isn’t as mainstream now, that doesn’t mean it won’t be in the future.
Look at the rapid growth of the WNBA and NASCAR.
I’m sure with the right people that could easily happen to this sport. ”
Doc eased down into a chair, the brown denim of his work overalls bending with him as he pulled his bandana from his pocket wiping his brow. “You’re right about that. Most people think of it as a southern and midwestern thing but slowly but surely we’re chipping away at it.”
He winked at me like he knew something I didn’t and I just smiled back at him despite my confusion.
“I’m sure you’ve seen a lot of changes happen.”
His brow arched as he shoved his bandana back in his pocket. “You calling me old, girl?”
I put my hands in front of myself before spreading them apart dramatically. “Experienced.”
He waved me off with a scoff. “That’s for whores.”
My mouth dropped open at his candor although I should’ve known he wouldn’t hold his tongue. “Doc!”
“It’s the truth. I’ve no problem with being called old. When I was younger it was a miracle for a Black man to make it to forty or fifty. For me to be creeping past eighty is a beautiful thing.”
His words were actually profound as I thought about how much life this man had actually witnessed. They settled heavily because people often ignored how recent the struggles our people faced really were. “You really have seen a lot.”
“Yeah. And a damn shame that some things I thought would change have stayed the same and battles we’ve fought and won are having to be fought again. Makes you tired.” Just briefly his age settled into his face like he’d momentarily given up before he took a deep breath.
“As long as those of us willing to fight are still around you rest easy on this side of the living, Doc.”
His smile returned smoothing out the wrinkles in his dark pecan skin. “I’m shocked. You don’t look much like a fighter.”
I pointed to my ‘fro with a smirk. “Is it the purple hair?”
He chuckled and I was glad he didn’t think I was a heathen or a hippie just because my hair was dyed. “Nope. You look soft. Like a warm hug after a long day at work. The kind of lady who will always be sunshine and rainbows. One who makes you want to work hard to keep a big smile on her face.”
This man had to be hell when he was younger because he was far too smooth. I wondered if Nate had inherited his gifts from Doc.
“That was sweet.”
Nate strolled into the room taking his hat off his head before putting it on a hook next to the door. “Too sweet. Not you in here flirting again, Doc.”
He playfully hit his granduncle on the shoulder before he nodded toward me. I was still getting used to the nodding thing but I assumed it was a sign of respect or how you say hello out here. So I just nodded back which had Nate looking at me funny.
“I call it like I sees it. I leave all the flirting and carrying on to you, Bucky.” Doc bounced his brows conspiratorially as he glanced between the two of us.
I needed this man to stop meddling because my life was too damn complex to mess up everything that I was trying to build.
My mind was attempting to find something else to switch up the conversation because my girl was back to thumping in my slacks.
I was naturally friendly but I felt as though I was flirting with a temptation that would surely win if I kept playing this game.
I shift in the chair which creaked causing both of theirs eyes to land on me. The attention was only uncomfortable because I was sexualizing my boss when I should’ve been focused on doing my job well.
“Um, Nate, you never told me what name to use when I’m answering the phones. What is the official name of the business?”
He looked at Doc who looked back at him both of them wearing a look of surprise on their faces I hadn’t expected to see. I knew he needed help but surely he wasn’t this unorganized.
He reached back scratching his head bashfully.
“About that—”
As whimsical as I was, I never played about business. For him to be as successful as he was but not have this together was shocking even to me. “Tell me you have a name for this place.”
“Black Gold Valley is a small town. Everyone knows this is the old de la Costa’s place. Most folks just call it that.” He shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal but he seemed to be too nonchalant about his lack of a name for his damn business.
I rubbed my brow trying to remember that I needed this job but still wasn’t going to let him half ass this new endeavor.
He’d gotten me bought into the vision he’d laid out so now I needed to help him see this through.
The size of this desk and the renovations he’d pointed out with pride were proof that he cared.
That he’d invested. He needed someone to keep him on track and I guess I would be negotiating that bigger salary sooner than expected.
I folded my arms to mask my frustration at his lack of effort with something so crucial. He watched me and his brows rose questioningly like he absolutely was waiting on me to cut up.
“How are you going to effectively brand your business if you don’t even have a name for it? The people who used to be here don’t seem like the type that you actually like. Do you want their name on your business? That could give them a claim to it later on.”
That course of action seemed to be the right one to light a fire under him to get him focused on this being a true issue.
“Hell no. I just haven’t sat down and thought about that side of things. I’ve been doing things informally for a while now—”
I scoffed, which drew his and Doc’s eyes back to me. “Well, that’s got to stop or else your accountant is going to be pissed.”