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Graham stopped a huge sigh of relief. He didn’t want Dave to know how scared he was to lose him. Or maybe he did. Appealing to Dave’s sense of decency worked. “Thank you, Dave. I appreciate that on Frank’s behalf. It will be a comfort to him during this hard time.”
Dave nodded. “Okay, I gotta go call Rita. She’s going to be pissed, but maybe the raise will help. How much will I get?”
“Whatever Tess made.”
“I was already making what Tess made. Her old man didn’t give her more just because she was his daughter.”
“Okay, I’ll look at the numbers. This was off-the-cuff, man. Honestly, I’m going to have to look at—”
“In good time, Mr. Naquin,” Dave said, a slight smile around his mouth. “Maybe you need to call a meeting. You know, announce Frank’s illness officially, and tell everyone you need help. They don’t know you, but they love Frank, and nothing makes a person feel like helping out more than knowing they’re needed.”
Graham paused in sifting through the images and looked up at Dave. “First, please call me Graham. And second, thank you. Not just for staying, but for realizing I need help. You’re right. I need to stop trying to spin plates and build a team.”
Dave nodded. “No one knows you yet. Everyone’s on pins and needles, scared about stuff, about Frank, about Tess, about losing business. But we’ll all feel better if you are more accessible. This ain’t about being a CEO or a COO or whatever you’re calling it. It’s about leading a team. You can’t lead what you don’t know. That’s what made Frank and Tess good. They knew us, loved us. That’s what works in this business.”
“You’re absolutely right. Guess I’ve had my head up my ass.” Graham walked over to Dave and extended his hand. “You came in to quit, but you just may have ended up saving Frank Ullo Float Builders. Thank you, Dave.”
The man took his hand. “This is gonna sound nuts, but I actually feel relieved. I really didn’t want to leave—just wanted to feel like I was valued. How about we have pizza at that meeting? And you might want to invite some of the seasonal people, too. Let everyone in on your plan for continuing Frank Ullo’s success.”
A plan? He’d had one, but problems had started flying at him. He’d wanted to meet with each head—carpenters, sculptors and painters—to talk about new materials, better construction, efficiency. Keeping up with Tess and Upstart had started wearing on him. But Dave was right. Before he could go out and reconquer the Mardi Gras world, he had make sure the foundation was secure. That meant getting the employees of Frank Ullo on board with a vision. He needed them to feel good about where and who they worked for.
“Pizza sounds perfect,” Graham said, eyeing the high metal desk sitting just inside the office area. Billie wasn’t here yet, but he’d take Dave’s approach—tell the woman how much he needed her. How much Frank needed her.
Maybe hearing an appeal for help would soften the woman… Maybe he’d get fresh coffee without having to make it himself.
As that thought hit him, Billie walked into the office area, carrying a box of Krispy Kreme Donuts, and a frown. “Frickin’ traffic is absurd. I nearly got sideswiped by some idiot on the bridge.”
“Morning, Buttercup,” Dave crowed.
Billie gave him the finger. Dave’s laugh echoed in the lobby.
Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to talk to Billie right now. Her mood wasn’t bad… it was putrid.
But then she smiled, obviously enjoying the ragging she gave Dave. Then she zeroed in on Graham and her expression changed.
“Good morning, Billie,” he said.
“What’s good about it?” she asked, her expression dead serious.
“You’re alive and have donuts?”
She stared at him for a few seconds. “Okay, there’s that.”
“When you have a second, I want to talk to you about having a staff meeting for everyone here at Ullo.”
She raised her eyebrows. “You want to call a meeting in the warehouse?”
“I think we need one, don’t you?” Graham said, shooting a glance to Dave who nodded his agreement.
“About Frank?” Billie asked setting down the donuts and switching on her computer.
“And Tess and the situation we’re facing in securing the same business we’ve had for the past few decades. We need everyone to channel their energies and offer up solutions. Basically, we need to have a come-to-Jesus meeting.”
Billie looked thoughtful. “Okay. I can shoot a memo to all the departments to make it official, but the easiest way will be to call all the heads of the departments. When you want it?”
“Sooner rather than later,” Dave interrupted.
“I thought you were quitting?” Billie asked Dave.
