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I know hanging up on a potential customer is definitely not a good look for business, but I don’t have the patience to go back and forth with a customer on a purchase. Either you’re going to buy it, or you’re not. It’s simple as that. I’m not in the business of begging or twisting someone’s wrists to get a sale. “Ummm, yes, we were,” I lie. “I accidentally hit the receiver.” Of course I wanted to say, “No, we weren’t, bitch. I hung up on ya cheap ass!” But me being the diplomat that I am, I would never be that blatantly rude. But Persia would. And what I thought is exactly what she would have told her.
She grunts. “Mmmph.”
I shift the phone from one ear to the other. “But, I am surprised you called back since you seemed to take issue with our store’s prices, and my tone. I figured you weren’t interested in buying anything.”
“Well, after hearing those outrageous prices, I wasn’t. And you’re right. I didn’t like your snotty tone. But my son just told me that he’ll buy the purse of my choice for my birthday, sin
ce it’s in a few days. And, because I really want the one I saw in your shop, I’m going to make an exception to patronize your store. So I’ll let all that slickness slide this time...” I blink. Oh this bitch really wants to see the other side of me. “I’ll take the beaded clutch. Be a dear and hold it for me? My son will be down there in an hour or so to pick it up.”
“And what name would you like me to hold it under?”
“You can put it in his name,” she says curtly. “His name is Desmond.”
“Okay, I’ll have it right here for him; all boxed and ready to go.” She hangs up in my ear. Rude bitch!
Before I can go back over to the case to pull the clutch out to place it behind the counter, the phone rings, again, as two women walk through the door. I answer the phone, eyeing them.
“Paradise Boutique, how can I help you?”
“Did you get my message?” my mother asks, sounding a bit annoyed that I haven’t returned her call. The truth is I wasn’t in the mood this morning to have to listen to her whining or complaining about things that neither of us can change. And I’m really not in the mood now.
“Yes, I did,” I tell her as another customer walks through the door. I take her in, then shift my eyes back to the two women over in the corner going through a sale rack.
“Well, why didn’t you call me back?”
I frown. Take a deep breath. “Mom, I planned on calling you later today when I had time to talk. Is there something urgent going on?”
She huffs. “No, there’s nothing urgent. I just thought it was strange that I called all three of my daughters, and the only who returned my call was Persia. And she couldn’t wait to let me know how none of you like being around me. Is that true?”
I sigh. “Mom, please. Let’s not do this now.”
“So, it is true.”
“Mom, don’t put words in my mouth. I didn’t say that.”
“You don’t have to. The three of you call your father almost every day, and I’m lucky if I get a call at least once a week without me being the one to initiate it.”
I decide to graciously bow out of this conversation before it turns sour by quickly changing the subject. “Mom, we love you, okay? Now, tell me. How are you?”
Surprisingly, in the blink of an eye, she lets it go—for now. “I’m good. Your father and I are going down to Atlantic City for the weekend.”
“Oh, that should be nice. When are y’all going?”
“Friday afternoon.” I ask her where they’ll be staying. “The Borgata,” she tells me, excitedly. “We’ll be back on Sunday evening.”
“Nice. Well, have fun and win lots of money,” I say, trying not to sound like I’m rushing her off the phone. But I am! “Mom, can I call you later? It’s getting busy here.” I keep my eyes locked on the customers.
“Hold on. Before you go I want to know if you and your sisters received your invitations to Pasha’s wedding?”
I shake my head, wondering why she’s asking me what she’s already asked Persia, like she’s going to get a different answer or something. “Mom, not to be rude, but I’m sure you’ve already ask Persia this? So why are you asking me the same question?”
She ignores the question as she always does. “Are you all going?”
“I don’t know. I really haven’t had time to discuss it with Persia and Porsha, yet. Why?”
“Because I’d like for us all to be seated at the same table, that’s why. It’s been a long time since we’ve all been out together at a family event.”
“Well, it’s not a big deal if we aren’t at the same table as you and Daddy. I’m sure Pasha will sit us with some of our other cousins who aren’t being allowed to bring dates.”
