10. Epilogue – Freya #3
“After you’ve disinfected it. Anyway, I invested in a food truck, and it’s finally ready to be unveiled in a few days’ time.”
“This is more than amazing, Maisey, this is fabulous! A food truck is going to be so popular at all of the outdoor festivals and events in the area.”
“That’s exactly what I’m banking on. I’ve been working with Freya to plan a soft launch.
She’s managed to pull some strings and get an interview with a local television station in Charlotte.
They want to feature the food truck, and we thought it would be great to have it operating at the same time as the interview. ”
I know her niece Freya, and I also know she is a shrewd and sharp social media strategist. “Smart move. Sounds like Freya’s on top of things.”
“She really is.” I can hear the pride swelling in her voice across the line.
“She’s gone so far as to plan an event so that The Sweet Spot—that’s what I’m calling it—will be at the city park for a day.
We’ll have the food truck pumping, the interview will be live, and I want to have a local influencer there who can help hype folks up. ”
I move my body, changing position to keep my shoulder from locking. Is the fire department even coming, or was Connie screwing with me?
“Maisey, this is epic. Congrats to you. How about if I come by later, you know, once my arm isn’t attached to my toilet, and I can interview you for the last print edition for the paper? We’ll make sure to drive traffic your way for the final edition.”
“Oh, that’s right. I heard. Morris stopped by after the meeting with everyone on the paper. Are you going to be okay?”
“Sure. I'm like a cockroach, I’m resilient.”
“I really hope that’s not your spirit animal. Look, I appreciate the offer for the paper and the write-up, and I’ll take it, yes please, but I was calling because I wanted to hire you.”
“Hire me?”
“I want you to be the official ambassador and social media influencer for The Sweet Spot, if you’re willing?”
I was on the floor, floored. “Are you serious?”
“One hundred fifty million percent. Freya and I agree you’d be perfect, but there’s a catch.”
“Always is. Hit me.”
“When Freya lined this up, we thought we’d both be able to go. However, the television station called yesterday to set the date for the interview. It’s happening in three days.”
“Three days?”
“Yep. It was supposed to be in two weeks’ time, but they had a slot open up and can fit us in sooner. Thing is, Freya’s out of town until next week and I’m needed this week at the restaurant for some private events we’re catering.”
My stomach lurches. “You know, I’m thrilled to do it, Maisey. I want to do it, but the timing is impeccable. If you need me to drive to Charlotte, I won't be able to. My car went into the shop a few days ago.”
“That’s fine. I was going to ask if you’d ride along in the food truck, so you can post the whole time. You see, there’s a cool twist to this…the food truck is an old RV that has been quite lovingly refurbished—it’s made entirely from recycled materials.”
“Great angle.”
“That’s not all. I wanted this to also be a project for the community, so I’m going to pick a local charity each month that ten percent of our proceeds will be donated to. I want this to be adding more good to the world, you know?”
If I could sit up taller, I would. A part of me flickered with jealousy, hearing Maisey’s idea. It was noble and inspiring. I wish I’d had it.
“That sounds amazing, Maisey. I’d love to represent the Red Bird, do the interview, and I’m happy to post, post, post away all day for you!”
“Thank you, Ari.” I hear what sounds like a sigh of relief. “Thank you so much. Send me your rates, we’ve got you covered no matter what.”
I look at my hand in its ceramic prison. “Tell you what, as soon as I’m free I’ll come by and we’ll work out the details.”
“Sounds fabulous,” Maisey exclaims before asking me to hold for a moment while she answers her other line.
They say timing is everything, and wow. Truth.
I’ve been under financial stress lately— thank you, school loans—and having my car go into the shop right as I find out my job is on the line hasn’t done me any favors in the confidence department.
I don’t want to get too excited, but I swear I already feel my worries beginning to slide off my back.
When Maisey clicks back over, I remember we have one more item of business we need to figure out.
“I usually hire a photographer to work with me for campaigns like yours. Do you have the budget for this? I can find someone, but I'll warn you, it is last minute. Fees could be a bit higher than usual, but I’ll see what I can do.”
“Actually, I’ve already hired someone. He’ll be making the donuts and taking some photos, too. In fact you probably remember him. Carter Snowden is going with you.”
I’m sorry, did I hear her right?
“I think the line broke up. Did you say Carter Snowden?”
“I did,” she responds. “Weren’t you two on the high school newspaper together? You know him, right? ”
Oh, I know him alright. Carter Snowden. My brother's best friend and the unknowing object of my affections for years.
I grew up following him and my brother, Reid, around.
All the time. Everywhere. If they were hanging out and playing pool in our basement, I was there to fetch them cold drinks and maybe get the chance to play, too.
If our family took a summer vacation, Reid always brought Carter with him.
I like to think I started writing for the school paper because I wanted to, but a part of me has to admit that I signed up because Carter was the staff photographer.
And then there’s that time he kissed me in the darkroom, and promptly asked me to forget about it the next day.
Great.
“Of course, I know Carter, but I don’t think he’s the right fit for this job.” How can I tiptoe around this without sounding absolutely crazy? “Maybe I can see if one of my connections in Charlotte is free. I’m sure I can talk them into a special rate for you.”
“No can do. Carter’s giving me a great deal on his services to do this.
He’s also going to manage The Sweet Spot for me part time for its first year.
This way I can concentrate on both the restaurant and the food truck without having to be out with the truck all the time.
I can’t pass up working with someone who’s a trained chef, can I? ”
“I guess you can’t.” Now that she’s said it, something dings in the recess of my mind and I can hear Reid telling us one night at dinner about Carter going to school to be a chef. Who would of thought? “Do you know where he went to school?”
“He trained out in Los Angeles, then went to France for a year to learn patisserie. How cool is that?”
“Next thing you’re going to tell me is that he’s a superhero, but I’ll settle for a good photographer. He’d better get my shots right.”
“You’ll have plenty of time to discuss it because he’s driving the truck to Charlotte.”
Opening my mouth to lay a heavier case, I'm interrupted by the banging at my front door.
“Maisey, I gotta go. I think my rescuers are here. I’ll talk to you later.”
Maisey starts to protest, saying something more about Carter as I hang up, but I just can't right now. I can’t hear about the guy who broke my heart in the darkroom that day, the one who inserted himself into so many aspects of my world that I couldn’t get away from the ghost of him. Ever.
And the last thing I need for my brother’s best friend to know is that for a time, I didn’t want to get away from him…but that time has passed.
The banging starts again, more furious this time. “Lake Lorelei Fire Department, call out! Ari, are you in there?”
“Yes! Come on in, I’m in the bathroom,” I yell out, explaining myself, but I’m pretty sure Connie would have set the scene for them by now.
I hear the thumping of boots and shuffling of feet as Lake Lorelei’s finest make their way toward me. I manage to turn my body and angle myself so I'm facing the door, greeting the first person who crosses the threshold to my delighted “you’re here!!” face.
I just didn’t expect that person to be the man of the hour.
Carter Snowden.
Don’t miss The Sweet Spot,
Ari and Carter’s story!