“I will not let you throw your money away on this…this money pit.”
Hailey sighed and sat on the corner of the desk. “Come on, Mom. It’s always been my plan to take over the store. I know it’s been your plan for us to work together until you retire. I still want in on the dream. I just got…sidetracked. I’ll buy in and run it. You and Dad can travel. We’ll split the profits. It will work. I promise.”
“No. And that’s final.” She stormed out of the office. The door slammed into the wall and bounced halfway closed.
Hailey chased after her, but she was gone, right out the front door without a jacket or boots.
“That didn’t go so well.” Serena groaned. “Want me to catch her and drive her home?”
“Would you? Please.”
“Sure thing. Maybe she’ll come around after a bit. It’s a good plan. I love those Christmas stores. Silver Creek needs one.” She slipped back into her jacket, grabbed Hailey’s mother’s jacket and raced out the door.
“I sure hope she’s right.” Hailey’s shoulders slumped. She was certain her mother would love the plan, and would do anything to save the store. Apparently not.
* * *
Hailey slippedthrough the side door of the house without making a sound, disappointment dragging her down. She wanted tea and her bed. But if her mom was still furious, she might just skip the tea. She’d worked the rest of the day alone. Serena had texted to tell her she’d gotten Hailey’s mom safely home and neither of them would be returning before closing.
Her father’s angry voice boomed out as she hung up her jacket. “I want you to sell the store.”
“Two Angels Gifts has been my life, my pride and joy for years. Decades,” her mother wailed, tears in her voice.
Hailey froze, not once in her life had she heard her parents argue. Where had her calm, rational parents gone? Her shoulders slumped in defeat and tears filled her eyes. This was bad. Torn between making her presence known and hearing all the details, she listened to their fight.
“Liz, I understand that. We won’t be able to survive retirement if we keep dumping money into it. We’re not hurting for funds, yet. But if you keep this up, we will be. If you don’t get rid of the store, I’m divorcing you. Obviously, you love it more than you love me.” His voice cracked, like he was crying.
Oh no! She should have let them know she was here. Silently, she opened the door and slammed it shut. “I’m home,” she called loudly, forcing enthusiasm into her voice. She thumped around a bit and wandered into the kitchen, dreading what she’d find.
“Hi, Dad. How was your day?” She hugged him and moved across the room to embrace her mother. Even if she hadn’t heard the fight, she’d sense it. The tension in the air was palpable, it was enough to steal her breath.
“Crappy,” he snapped. “Your mother is a stubborn fool.”
Whoa! Her father was always the picture of quiet rationality. He never, ever, lost his temper and name calling was unheard of.
“You’re being unfair,” her mom wailed, banging her palms on the table. “Just because you’ve retired, it doesn’t mean I want to.”
“Mom, did you tell him my plan?” Hailey asked.
“What plan?” Her dad’s gaze flashed between her and her mother.
“A plan to save the store. One where you both retire,” Hailey answered his angry question.
“Another store junkie; just what we need. I want to retire, to travel while we’re still young enough.”
Apparently, he’d missed the second half of her statement. “That’s the beauty of my plan. Hang on.” She raced to the entry and returned with the presentation she’d shown her mother earlier. “It’s like this,” she began and slowly explained the details to him, ending with, “I run the store, we share the profits and you guys retire and travel.”
“You’ve put a lot of work into this,” he praised. “I’m proud of you. It never ceases to amaze me how smart you are.” He embraced her. “This could work and it calls for wine.” Grab a Merlot from the basement.
Wine in hand, she paused at the base of the stairs. She wanted this, she wanted to save and run Two Angels Gifts. Deep down, it had always been her dream. Thinking it might not happen made her stomach ache.
“I don’t want her throwing her life away,” her mom whispered.
“And yet, you’ll continue to waste yours? Ours? It’s a solid plan, well backed up by research. It’s what she wants. Couldn’t you see the fire in her eyes? Hear the passion in her voice? She loved that store as a child. You built it for the girls. Give her what she wants.”
Go Dad!
“It isn’t what it used to be.” Her mom’s voice trembled with emotion and exhaustion.
