Chapter 12
CHAPTER TWELVE
T he consignment store clerk seemed shocked as she inspected the clothes.
“We don’t get clothing this nice in our store. I’m not sure how well they’ll sell. Either people will grab up the deals or they’ll figure they have nowhere to wear them. Same with the shoes, but it’s worth a try.”
“How does this work, exactly?” Aurora asked.
“I catalogue all items, decide on a price and as they sell, I give you part of the sale.” The woman smiled.
“How much will you sell them for?”
“I start out at a reasonable price and after two weeks, I discount them. I’d put a price tag of twenty-five dollars on this blouse, for example.”
Aurora gasped. “That blouse is worth eighty-five dollars.”
“What a piece of clothing is worth is what it will sell for. It’s just the way it is. My customers aren’t big spenders. You could sell them online.”
“I’ll have to figure something out. I apologize for taking up your time.”
“No problem. My name is Pam. Stop by anytime.”
“Thank you.”
Exiting the store with the suitcase was more challenging than entering it. The dollar store was in the opposite direction, so she dropped off her suitcase in her room.
Then she headed out again. Her heart raced. She didn’t have the means to live by herself for long. Her life was in shambles.
The dollar store was a true wonder. Despite what the sign said, things were not a dollar, but they seemed to be cheap enough. She bought toiletries, and canned food that she didn’t need to heat up. She’d always wanted to try spaghetti shaped like an O. That led to a can opener and a set of utensils. A cup and a jug of iced tea. Coffee was too expensive, so that was out.
They didn’t have phones. Who would she call, anyway?
unpacking her purchases back in her room, the weight of the day’s events overwhelmed her. How had her life come to this? Maybe she should… She was out of ideas for the day.
The can of O’s wasn’t half bad. The price was right too. If only she had her phone, she’d read an e-book. Sitting back on the bed, she grabbed the remote and flipped through the channels. It was going to be a long night.
Stewart’s cell vibrated. It was Flora. “Hi, is everything okay?”
“You need to come here,” she said, her voice trembling with tears.
“McKenna?” he asked.
“Yes.” She hung up.
Why couldn’t McKenna just be a normal person? Stewart jumped into his truck and drove to the big house. McKenna’s voice was loud enough Stewart heard it from outside.
Shaking his head, he walked into the house.
McKenna faced Stewart, a frown etched into his features. “What are you doing here?”
“First of all, it’s the family home. You don’t own it or have the right to keep me out. Second, Flora asked me to come.” He squared off with McKenna.
“Figures she’d call you. She comes with the house.”
Stewart laughed. “You’re kidding, right? That’s the most absurd thing I’ve ever heard. Flora is a human being, not an object. She can do whatever she likes.”
“Not when she’s being paid by the company.” McKenna challenged.
“You fool. I pay Flora out of my own pocket. Same as the upkeep on the house and the grounds. The company paid for your lawn service, when you were supposed to pay for that, but I decided to pick my battles.”
McKenna stared at him. “I need to hire someone to be the housekeeper? What about those fancy gardens outside?”
“You pay.”
“Considering I’m the CEO now, my salary should be significantly higher.”
Stewart walked around McKenna and took a seat on the leather sofa. “I sent you statements monthly and at the end of the year, I sent out the salaries being paid. We all make the same.”
McKenna scoffed. “Lies, all of it! Your income must be high to cover the cost of your high-end suits and extravagant gardens.”
“You don’t know a thing. Call Katie or any of our cousins. They’ll tell you the same. It was decided long ago, and it works.”
“I haven’t ever had a raise. Did you steal the money?” McKenna demanded.
Stewart rolled his eyes. “You are all informed of the amount of the yearly raise. Don’t you read anything I send out? Everyone gets the same. Some years the raises are better than others. We also pay for the community center and all those salaries, too. I emailed you a detailed to do list for your first week, starting today. I suppose you didn’t read that either. I have things because I don’t go out on the town at every opportunity. I’m satisfied to drive the pickups each of you is given. Unlike you, I don’t need a fancy car too.” He leveled McKenna with an icy glare. “Do you see where this is all going?”
“Stewart, I’m ready,” Flora interrupted. “Could you put these bags into the trunk of my car? I’ll follow you over to the other house.”
“I’d be happy to. Let’s go.”
Flora opened the door for him, and then he loaded all her bags in the trunk.
“Don’t carry these in when we get there. I’ll do it.”
“What a relief you came. I thought he was going to chain me to the house.”
He would have laughed if she wasn’t so upset.