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At least those files were something he could take home to work on, though it would still be difficult with Joelle requiring most of his attention. Focus would be key and not a luxury he would be afforded until after his daughter had gone to bed in the evenings.
His uncle came out of the back office and headed their way. Dressed in jeans and a polo shirt, his mother’s brother walked with an air of confidence. He was meticulous about his appearance, right down to the weekly trimmings of his short gray hair. Even as the weathered lines on his face grew more prominent, they only made his uncle more distinguished. “Good morning, Joelle. How’s my little angel?” he asked, kneeling next to her.
Joelle jumped to her feet and ran to hug her uncle. “I’m not an angel,” she said, giggling.
“To me you are,” Uncle Bill said, shooting her a wink.
“Angels are pretty.” Joelle’s eyes were wide with wonder.
“Exactly.” His uncle nipped her nose, laughing as Joelle ran back to play. “I’m guessing you’re here because of what we talked about yesterday?” Uncle Bill shot a cursory glance at Tommy.
“I am. Everything should be back to normal at the house within a couple of hours, but I need to get to the root of the problem.” Caleb had stopped at the bank before coming here and made a rather large deposit, authorizing all back payments to be made current. Then a call to the electric company reassured him they would turn his power back on.
“Tommy, why don’t you start stocking the shelves with the new inventory delivered yesterday?” his uncle said.
“Yes, sir,” Tommy said, shuffling off to do his work, but not before shooting Caleb a strange look. Whether it was a message or fear, Caleb couldn’t tell, but he’d be sure to talk to the kid later.
“I figured you’d rather not air your financial problems in front of the help. Besides, something has been going on with him lately and he’s been acting different. Tense. Jumpy almost.” Deep grooves lined his uncle’s forehead, his finger tapping on the counter rapidly as though trying to figure out the source of unease.
Caleb was inclined to agree with his uncle’s assessment of the kid. “I also thought he was acting unusual, but I’m sure it’s nothing to do with the store. Tommy’s been working here a long time and I remember him as an outstanding employee. But to be on the safe side, we should keep a closer eye on him. At least for the near future.”
His uncle nodded. “Will do.”
“And thanks for keeping quiet about the financial issues I’m having. It’s one thing for people to know business is down, quite another for them to find out I started bouncing payments all over town. It won’t be long, and everyone will know anyway, what with the active gossipmongers in Dover. The longer I can stave off the inevitable, the better. Maybe by then, it will all be fixed.”
“I feel awful that this happened on my watch. I’m sorry. I’m fresh out of ideas on how to drum up business, but open to any suggestions you might offer. Though maybe it’s the new drugstore in Norwich that’s stealing our customers.” His uncle was upset with the way things were going, but in the end, it wasn’t his fault. The responsibility for keeping the store profitable was in Caleb’s hands.
“No need to apologize. I should have been paying closer attention. I owe you big time for stepping in and taking care of things for me after Lauren died. I just wasn’t up to being a parent and running the store…not without Lauren by my side. Unfortunately, if you’re right about the store in Norwich, then I’m in big trouble. If this keeps up, not only will I lose the store, but I’ll lose our house as the two properties were tied together in a refinance loan years ago when Dad was alive.” He’d been meaning to separate the loans for years, knowing it wasn’t a suitable business model. But his life got super busy with a wife and child, and it was one of those things that simply never happened. And based on what was happening now, there wasn’t a bank out there that would take the risk.
“If anyone can fix what’s wrong, I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”
“Thanks. Can you print out the last eighteen months’ worth of inventory and expense ledgers? It’s as good as any place to look for places to cut back.” The store’s record-keeping was antiquated, but at least Caleb had gotten everything into a computer system a couple of years ago. It wasn’t ideal but would do in a pinch. It sure beat trying to decipher handwritten ledgers.
Uncle Bill nodded. “I’ll get right on it, but it might take me a day or two. That’s a lot of records.”
The overhead bell on the front door jingled, signaling a customer had arrived. “Thanks. We can talk more later,” Caleb said. His uncle headed for the office, leaving him to deal with the customer since Tommy was still in the backroom. Not a good policy and one to make note of that needed changing, as someone should always be on hand to greet the customers.
Caleb turned to face the newcomer but didn’t see anyone. He scanned the entire store, but there wasn’t a soul in the place, which made no sense. Leaning over the counter, he checked on Joelle, only to discover she wasn’t sitting on her blanket, or anywhere in sight. Adrenaline coursed through his body, his heart pounding. He bolted for the front door, fear driving his every step.
The bell didn’t ring by itself.
Madison made her way through town on the way to a client’s house to pick up a dog. It was a new client, and she’d been hired for the hour to take the dog to the park. The light turned red at the Main Street intersection, and she came to a stop. Of course, there was no one else at the light. A light that almost seemed silly given the size of the town. She tapped her fingers on the steering wheel, beating out the rhythm of the country song on the radio.
Minutes passed, but still, the light didn’t change. She edged forward, wondering if it was one of the motion trip sensors to signal the need for a light change. Still nothing. If the light wasn’t working, she’d be here all day and miss her client appointment.
Taking her foot off the brake, she inched forward, checking in all directions. No traffic. No issue. Madison pressed the accelerator. Her car chugged in response, and then the motor shut off, the red engine warning light flashing on the dashboard.
What the heck was going on?This was the worst possible moment for car trouble. Actually, there was no good time for car trouble. Nellie had been with Madison since high school, and she loved the car dearly. The Buick was old but had been a suitable vehicle over the years. At some point, she needed to get a new pre-owned car, but right now, there was barely money to pay her bills, much less a car loan. It was on her someday soon list.
Which did her no good now. She tried to restart the car, to no avail.Why me, Lord?Broken down and blocking the intersection, and soon to be late for her appointment. Talk about having a bad day.
Madison turned on the flashers to alert any other vehicle approaching that she was having trouble. She got out of the car and raised the hood before moving to the sidewalk, following all the safety rules drummed into her by her father. He died ten years ago, and she missed him dearly. Especially during times like this. What she wouldn’t give to be able to call him for help.
A car was not something she could afford and asking her mother for a loan was out of the question. Madison was too old not to handle her affairs, especially given she quit her job before she had another one. Another life lesson she had been taught, but not the one she had followed. For her, it had been the dream she chased, not reality.
Madison let out a deep breath and tried to regroup. She called the local garage and spoke with the mechanic who had nothing but more bad news. His best guess was her worst nightmare. Several possibilities and most would set her back more than she could afford. Bye-bye doggy clientele. The mechanic assured her he would send a tow truck but couldn’t promise her when they would arrive, as there was another tow scheduled ahead of hers.
She called her client to apprise her of the change in plans, and of course, the woman fired her on the spot. The dog needed a walk, and she would find someone who could handle the job. It would be the same with all her new clients. All three of them, that is.
