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“I certainly agree. Everything is politicized and scrutinized. If people were just a little kinder and tolerant, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”
“Ellie Stillwell, how I miss working for you,” Nathan said with a warm smile.
“That’s why I called you. Maybe we can fix that situation.” Ellie was ever hopeful Nathan would consider the offer she was about to make. “But let’s grab a sandwich first. The Blonde Shallot brings a dozen or so on Monday and Tuesday for the artists who are here on the days off.”
“That’s mighty nice of them.” Nathan followed Ellie as she walked toward the sandwich shop.
Nathan looked around. A basket of sandwiches sat on the main counter with a glass jar beside it. There was no one else in the kiosk but the two of them. “Doesn’t look like anyone is here.”
“They’re not. Rita drops off the sandwiches and leaves ajar for people to pay whatever they can.”
“Say what?” Nathan looked baffled.
“The honor system. We have another person who operates the same way, but he does it every day.” Ellie grabbed two roast beef sandwiches. “This OK with you?”
“Sure. But you need to explain further.” Nathan watched as Ellie put a twenty-dollar bill in the jar.
“And they just leave the money and sandwiches out?”
“Yes. I know it’s unusual, but we appreciate each other’s efforts and try to support each other in whatever way we can. That’s how I charge rent, too.”
The two walked toward the large sliding patio doors. Ellie motioned Nathan to sit at one of the café tables.
They sat quietly for a brief moment. “It really is good to see you, Nathan.” Ellie smiled and touched his hand.
Nathan gave it a squeeze. “Likewise.” They unwrapped their lunch, and Ellie began to explain her rental agreement with the artists.
“I charge them ten percent of their net business. That, too, is on the honor system.”
“You mean you leave it to them to figure out how much rent to pay?”
“That’s the system. It’s been working so far.”
“But how do you know if they’re being honest?” Nathan had a very puzzled look on his face.
“I have to trust them. Of course, I could always ask for an audit of their books. It’s in their lease agreement. But I can tell by foot traffic and just by looking at what they have in inventory. Besides, they will never get a better deal unless someone bankrolls them.”
Nathan snickered. “Miss Ellie, you always had good instincts. This place is magnificent. Why would anyone want to screw it up for themselves?”
“That’s what I am counting on. By the way, you’re not going to keep calling me Miss Ellie, now are you?”
“Force of habit, I guess.” Nathan gave her a knowing nod. “I’ll do my best. So, tell me, what do you have in mind?”
“The Stepford wives come almost every Thursday. With their precious children. If you could be here Thursday through Sunday, that would be perfect. We’re open from eleven until five on Wednesdays and Thursdays, from ten until eight Fridays and Saturdays, and from eleven to four on Sunday. If we are having an event, the times may change. Once a month we have a string quartet from six until eight on a Saturday.”
“Would you want me here all four days?” Nathan was calculating in his head.
“That would be wonderful. Saturday can be a long haul. We get rather busy in the afternoon.”
“What if I get one of my young adult fellows to pitch in for a few hours?” Nathan was thinking out loud. “I have a fine young man who would probably appreciate the apprenticeship. I’ll train him to look mean.” Nathan laughed.
“That could work,” Ellie said. “As I said, it’s the physical presence of an authority figure. Does he look young or older? You know what I mean.”
“He’s Latin-American. About five-foot-ten-inches tall with a build that will make the women swoon. He can be intense, but a nice kid. Name’s Mateo.”
“Well, that sounds like a good plan.” Ellie had already put pen to paper and wrote down the numbers as far as his salary and benefits. “I’ll pay you thirty dollars per hour, plus health insurance. It’s thirty-seven hours. You can pay Mateo from your salary. Would you be amenable to that?” Ellie slid the page over to him.
“Eleven hundred a week?” Nathan eyes widened.
