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“Keep it up and I’ll bring Wilbur back in here.”
“Okay. Truce. No more singing. Besides, it hurts my head.” She rests her head against the back of the couch. “Can you believe they picked that house over the one on the beach?” She points to the television.
I look at the muted television. “Big mistake.”
“Big mistake.” She agrees.
Grace and I have been sitting on the couch all day. Periodically, one or both of us have dozed off a few times. Hangovers suck. I’m never drinking again. Ever.
I look over at Grace and she’s got my laptop opened and she’s reading something. “What are you looking up?”
“You know how all last week it was great to have something to look forward to on Friday?”
“Grace, I’m never drinking again and I’m not sure I ever want to show my face at Hooplas again, either. Do not suggest it.”
“No, no. I agree. Drinking is out and I agree about Hooplas. Especially since Kane is one of the owners. Probably would see each other again and I don’t know if my ego can handle that. No, what I’m looking at is something more active.”
“Oh no, please don’t be looking at joining a sex club. Oh, and Hudson is also an owner at Hooplas. They work at the fire station and both own a bar. Interesting.”
She looks up at me from the top of the computer on her lap. “There are sex clubs we can join?”
“No. Just, no.”
“You’re right. You’re not ready for sex clubs.” She laughs. “No, I’m looking at a kickball league. You know, like we used to play in elementary school?”
“There are kickball leagues?”
“Yeah. At Hibiscus Park. It’s hosted by the city. There’s a team that’s looking for some players.” She pauses and then looks up at me. “The Bad News Babes. How cute is that? The Bad News Babes. I love it. We have to do this!”
“When do they practice and have games? I’m game if it fits in my schedule.” It’s a better plan than getting drunk in a bar. That was a bad idea.
“They practice in the evenings. Let me click on the game schedule here. Okay, they have games on Saturdays and Sundays; sometimes in the mornings and the others are in the afternoons.” Grace looks up at me. “Maybe Chloe can cover on the game days that the shop is opened?”
I nod my head. “I’d have to ask her. I don’t want to overburden her. She covers for me whenever I’m off and she’s a full-time student at the university. Plus, she’s got a life. But I can ask her to cover once in a while.”
Grace sits back. When she does that, I know she’s about to bring something up that I don’t want to talk about.
“Kate. Maybe it’s time to hire another staffer. The shop is getting busier and busier. I’m your accountant; you can afford another staff member or two. Besides, Chloe’s not going to work there forever. She's going to go to medical school soon. You never take time off for just you. Maybe it’s okay to have more than one staffer. What do you think?”
Okay. I wasn’t expecting that, but she’s not wrong. I do rely heavily on Chloe, and she only has one more year of school before she’s off to medical school. It would be great to take some time off once in a while and once Chloe’s gone, it will all be on me until I find someone else to hire and train.
“That’s not a bad idea, Grace.”
The shock on her face tells me she was ready for an argument. “Really?”
“I mean, yeah. You’re right. Chloe doesn’t want to own a bagel and coffee shop. And I don’t take enough time off. I know that.” I widen my eyes at her to shut her up before she even starts. “And… if I hire another person now, Chloe and I can train them together so that all the pressure isn’t just on me.”
“Hallelujah! She’s finally making sense!” She raises her arms like she’s in church. Grace has not been in a church in a long time. The church would probably instantly burn to the ground if she walked into one. “Yes! You are right. And I didn’t even think about training a new person once Chloe leaves. Forward thinking. That’s what’s going to get you to owning a wedding cake division of your shop.”
“I want to make wedding cakes so bad, but I need more space for bigger ovens. If that weasel ever closes down that pizza place next door, I’ll jump on that lease immediately.”
Grace nods in agreement and unlocks the computer. “So, are we doing this kickball thing?”
“Sure. Sign us up. It’s healthier than drinking in a bar, that’s for sure.” I stand up and stretch? “It’s almost six. You want something to eat?”
Without looking up at me, Grace says “I’ve ordered pizza, and it should be here soon. Also, Wilbur is asleep in his bed in your room.” She looks up at me from the computer. “Wait. Did you say your date last night is also part owner of Hooplas?”
“It wasn’t a date.”
