by Jamie Knight
I'm not expecting him to answer, he doesn’t owe me any explanation, but to my surprise he does. "The sale will be final at the end of the month, unless someone comes up with a better offer before then,” he explains, and when he gives me the number, my heart sinks all over again.
The end of the month is only two weeks away. I’m not even going to be able to scrounge up rent in that time, what the hell made me think I might be able to out-bid Courtney and buy out the strip? "Oh, ok. Thank you again, Mr. Stevens. " I reply, trying and failing to keep the disappointment out of my voice.
"I really am sorry, Juliette," He apologizes once more as we hang up.
I screw my eyes shut for a moment, taking a deep breath before I get up and start cleaning up the table. I put every paper back where it belongs. I’ve got one last option left in my pocket, but it’s not going to be easy. The last thing I can think to do is attempt to go to the bank and take out a loan.
It’s a slim chance, but it’s all I’ve got left.
After I've cleaned up, I gather all the business papers I’m going to need and put them neatly in my purse. I go to fund a suitable outfit to wear. I'm desperately trying to distract myself because I’m a bundle of nerves and I feel like I'm going to break. I can't lose this business, but I don't know what to do.
I wish Florian was here, or my grandparents were still around, then I wouldn't be in this mess. I shouldn’t be doing this alone. My eyes burn and I blink quickly to stop the tears threatening to well up.
I need to get ahold of myself, I can’t turn into a blubbering mess at the bank when I’m going down there to try and project an image of a mature professional. But it’s hard when I feel so small and scared.
Chapter 3 - Dominic
My arms crossed across my chest, I pace quickly back and forth in my office. My annoyance grows with each step, and it takes conscious effort not to grind my teeth. I hate waiting, especially for other people.
I stop pacing and glance at my watch. I sigh in frustration and throw my arm up. "That idiot was supposed to call 7 minutes ago," I complain to myself.
At least I don't have anything important to do. Yet. I would be more frustrated if I was late for a meeting or something. But my time is valuable, and I don’t enjoy having it wasted.
I stop pacing and start thinking of what I could be doing instead of wasting my time here waiting. An early lunch would have been one option. I could get a jump start on that pile of paperwork waiting for me at home…
Suddenly the phone rings, interrupting my thoughts, but to my annoyance, it’s my personal cell and not the work line. I snatch it off my desk and answer it. "Hello?" I snap angrily at the person calling.
"Dom?" Kevin asks in surprise from the other end of the line.
I had forgotten I was expecting a call from him, too. My best friend.
He recovers his composure quickly and starts to laugh. "Geez, I can tell from your tone it's been a while since you got laid," He quips.
I roll my eyes at him, even though he can't see. Truthfully, I hadn't really thought about it. Lately I’ve been consumed with work. We have so much going on with the company that I don't have time to think about anything else, which is good for business I suppose. "Longer than I care to admit." I reply with a sigh.
Kevin is my best friend, so I can confide anything to him
"Well, today is your lucky day. I called to let you know that the club is planning to host another auction," He says excitedly.
I hold the phone with my shoulder and walk behind the desk. I start looking over my files. "Hmm," I sigh in response.
I think about the last time I was at one of these auctions, a few months back. I didn't particularly enjoy myself, and I don’t recall having a spectacular time at the one before that, either. I haven't had a good run of luck lately at these things. For some reason they aren't holding my interest anymore.
Maybe I need more of a challenge, although that isn’t my usual style. I’m normally perfectly happy to keep things simple. I pay, my needs get satisfied, end of story. No hassle, no hang-ups. I don’t have time for messy entanglements.
So why am I bored with it?
"Well, that’s not the reaction I was expecting," Kevin says finally.
"Sorry, man, I don’t mean to shit all over your parade, it's just that I'm starting to wonder of it's worth it to even go to those anymore. It's always the same old story and we never meet anyone interesting," I sigh, sharing my opinions with him.
"Well, I suppose you're right. " he admits after a second.
I hear him sigh as he tries to figure something out. I feel a little guilty for being such a damper on his excitement. "Ok,” he says finally, ”How about we go, just to check things out? If it looks too boring, we’ll duck out and we can just hang out and have drinks. At least we can get out and enjoy the night, you know?" He suggests.
I'm still on the fence about the whole thing.
I'm kind of tired of that whole scene, but a night away from work would be nice. Just as I'm about to answer him, my work phone rings at my desk. Finally. I'm a little annoyed by the sudden interruption to my thoughts, but glad this guy is finally getting around to it.
"So what do you think?" Kevin asks again.
I need to hurry up and get him off the phone so I can get back to work. "Yeah, yeah, sure, that sounds fine," I agree hastily.
My hand reaches for the other phone and I hold it in my other hand.
"Really? You're serious?" He asks excitedly.
"Yes, yes," I agree again, eager to get off the phone.
"Great I'll call you once I have an exact date." He says before hanging up.
"Yeah fine, I gotta go, ok, bye!" I say hanging up quickly and answering the other phone before I miss the call. "This is Dominic," I say smoothly, switching back into business mode.
I pull out some papers and start taking notes of what is being asked. "Yes, we can definitely help you with that," I say, talking to the client on the phone, "If you like, we can have you come in for a meeting to discuss what kind of services you are looking for. I can switch you over to my secretary and we can pick a date that works for you." I say politely.
I'm usually as charming as possible with the customers, especially on business calls, and this is no exception. Though I'm focused on work right now, a part of me is thinking about the auction. I can't believe I accepted his invitation. Well, hopefully he's right and things will be different this time, though I highly doubt it.
It always seems to be the same crowd of people at these events, and that gets old really fast. It will be nice to have some guy time though. He's right, I have been working a lot lately. But that's the way I’ve always been.
After I transfer the client over to my secretary, I hang up the phone and lean back in my chair with a sigh.
I let myself think about my hopes for the auction a little bit longer, realizing that I’m not even sure what I’m looking for anymore. Maybe that’s why they feel so stale to me now. But I don’t have time to worry about it now. I tuck the thoughts aside, then get back to work. Compartmentalization is something I excel at.
I think about the type of software this client is asking us to create. It's going to take a lot of work and planning. I start coming up with the team of people I'd like to be involved with on this project, jotting down notes and thinking about who I’ll assign as a project manager.
I'll make more final decisions after I meet with the client and learn more about what they want, but I’ve already got a crew in mind. I check through my company emails, I find one from a previous client thanking us for our services. I don't smile, but I do feel a sense of pride that my company was able to do a satisfactory job. I send a standard company reply to them before closing my computer.
I turn my attention back to the new project and start coming up with ways that it can be done. It's nice to never stop working and to always be needed, I suppose. The more jobs we get, the more money w
ill roll in, and the happier my people will be.
And by the time my day is over, the auction is long forgotten, tucked neatly in the back of my mind. It’s a bridge I’ll cross when I get to it.
Chapter 4 - Juliette
I open the door to the shop and take a step inside. I flip the switch to turn on the lights and set my purse down behind the register.
Everything is as I left it, pristine and untouched, and all I need to do is flip the sign to open. I do that before taking my usual spot by the register. Everything is as it should be, but it feels dimmer somehow.
I can’t stand the silence, so I hasten to find something to put on the record player. I could really use the pick-me-up right now. I'm opening a little later than usual today, but I had a good reason.
I just came from the bank. I spent all morning there trying to get a loan, and while the woman who helped me was kind and apologetic, I was unsuccessful. A lump forms in my throat and I fight back tears as the disappointing news crashes into me all over again.
That was the last thing I could think of to try and save the store. Now…Now I have no idea what I'm going to do. I'm right back where I started, just without the hope. I try to think of happier times, anything to keep me from just dissolving into a puddle on the floor.
All that comes to mind is the grand opening, the day when Florian and I first opened the shop. That day was one of the best of my life, we’d both been so full of hope and excitement, and the joy in the air was palpable. It had been packed that day, and it had set the bar for a great start.
When we worked together, this place was home, both to us, and to the customers, and that atmosphere kept people coming back. It was why the shop was always filled with customers. As I look around at it now, I can feel the sadness building up again. I don't want to cry. I can't give into my emotions right now or I might not be strong enough to get back up.
On legs that feel like lead, I get up and start alphabetizing different sections of albums. I try and adjust the displays, showing off some of the more popular selections closer to the front window to try and get more people to notice the shop. Because maybe, just maybe, if I can retrieve some scrap of the old magic, maybe I can keep our dream alive.
Ok, the truth is that I'm trying to keep myself busy once again so I don't think about what's going on. I take a deep breath and fix the scarf holding my dark curls back from my face, then go to the back of the store and grab some window spray, surface cleanser, and paper towels. I take my time carefully cleaning every nook and cranny.
The store wasn't really dirty, I just needed something to do Anything to keep the sorrow at bay.
That kills almost an hour and a half. I mop, I dust, I clean the store within an inch of its life, but there’s not really much to be cleaned, so once it’s spotless, I still have a long afternoon stretched out ahead of me.
After putting away all of the cleaning supplies in the back room, I grab a stool and sit behind the register. I try to lose myself in the music, but it's no use. There’s no running anymore.
All I can think about are my fears and worries about the store. I have nothing left to keep me busy. The helpless feeling of my situation overwhelms me and I feel like I’m drowning. I don't know what I'm going to do. I start to take panicked breaths. Tears fill my eyes. I feel like I'm on the verge of a breakdown.
I don't see any way out of this situation. I’m out of options; there’s no one to help me, no miraculous fund that’ll magically appear to save my store.
I'm about to fully lose it and start crying when two men suddenly burst through the front door. They are struggling with several large boxes. Alarmed and confused, my tears and worries are momentarily forgotten.
"Where do you want these at?" One of the guys asks me.
I just stare at them in confusion. He repeats his question, and I shake my head. "I'm sorry, I don't know what you're talking about?" I respond.
They both look at each other, then back at me. "Which suite number is this?" The guy asks.
"This is suite B." I respond.
The other guy gives him an almost comical look of frustration.
"Oh, shit-I mean, shoot, I’m sorry about that. Can you tell us where suite D is? We're sorry to bother you,” the first guy stammers, flustered.
I point to the right.
"No worries. It's down that way, not the next one, but the one just around the corner on the back side." I explain.
"Thanks. Again, sorry to bother you, Miss," The guy says.
They carry their boxes out the door. I remain seated and watch them as long as they remain in eyesight. Even after they’ve disappeared from my view, I'm still thinking how odd the encounter was.
Mr. Stevens had said the entire strip was being sold, so why would someone be moving stuff in? Unless maybe it’s someone who has some kind of arrangement with Courtney or something, but it’s hard for me to imagine Courtney leaving this place as it is. From what I’ve seen, she basically takes a place, razes it to the ground, and starts fresh with something “modern” and dull.
But in my curiosity, I’m distracted from my emotional turmoil, and I wonder what that was all about. I can't seem to come up with any logical explanation for it. I get up from my seat and peer out the window, wondering if I’ll be able to see anything.
Despite my best efforts, however, since it’s all around the corner, there’s really nothing for me to see. I turn and start to walk away. I pause and look at the door. A good person would let this go, but I just can't.
That situation didn't make any sense to me, but the only way to get any answers about it is to go down there and see for myself.
For a moment, I’m nervous, fussing about what might happen if I get caught, but then I have to remind myself that I’m not really doing anything wrong, I’m just taking a little walk down there to see what’s up. It’s nosy, not criminal.
After a few moments of deliberation I decide this is the only way I am going to get any answers, and I just know the mystery will bug me if I don’t find out. I put my ‘Back in 5’ sign up in the window and grab my phone and keys.
I lock the store and look around the area. The strip seems deserted, which is pretty typical throughout the whole day. No cars in the lot, and the only other person I see around is a woman on the other side of the road, walking her dog.
I casually make my way to Suite D and see the guys walking back toward me, talking. Nervously, I duck out of sight. I don’t know why I’m being such a weirdo, but I’m a little ashamed to admit that I’m just snooping. They move past me, unnoticing, and once they’ve passed, I continue towards the other suite. The door is propped open, presumably so they can continue loading stuff in, and I slowly creep inside.
There’s not much to see, just boxes, but there are drop cloths covering some furniture, giving the place a spooky appearance. But they’re definitely moving stuff in. Maybe it’s tools and they’re working on a remodel?
The more I look around, the more questions I have.
Chapter 5 - Juliette
"You're too early,” a woman’s voice says, startling me, “You'll have to come back later," She says.
She steps out of some back room, and immediately, I’m struck. She’s lovely, tall and blonde, with an air of confidence I could only dream of possessing.
"Um, I'm not here about that," I say nervously as she strides over to a stack of boxes and deftly rips one open, unfolding the flaps and assessing the contents.
Wondering what exactly it is that I’m “too early” for, I go on: "I actually own the record store a few spaces over. I was just curious about what was going on over here and decided to be nosy and check it out," I admit sheepishly, a nervous little laugh bubbling from my lips.
I avert my gaze to the ground. It was probably a little rude of me to be over here at all, let alone to just march right in. The woman is preoccupied with her task, however, and hardly seems to notice that I’ve opened my mo
uth.
I take advantage of the moment to look around the space once more. "Are you opening a new shop here?" I ask, trying to keep the hope from creeping both into my voice and into my heart.
"Goodness no,” the woman shakes her head and laughs, “We just rented the space for a one-night event." She explains.
“Oh,” I mumble in disappointment.
Something in my tone apparently draws her attention, she looks away from her boxes and throws a quick glance in my direction. She studies my appearance, looking me up and down, and I feel heat rising into my face at her intense stare.
"Are you single?" She asks after a few more seconds of eyeing me.
I blush crimson and am shocked into silence. After a few seconds I manage to stammer a response. "Uh, well, uh….you are lovely and all, don't get me wrong, but I'm straight,” I can't meet her gaze out of embarrassment.
I don't want to offend her either with my response. To my surprise, she laughs and holds up her hand, showing me the wedding ring on her finger. "I am, too. Allow me to explain, I’m not hitting on you, the reason I was asking is because you’re really pretty and you’ve got a great look. I thought you might be interested in the event we are hosting tonight. " she replies.
I look up at her with wide eyes. She definitely has my curiosity. "What do you mean? Is it like some kind of a fashion event?" I ask.
No one has ever really complimented my looks or style before, although I know some of the stuff I like to wear is becoming trendy again. She shakes her head and laughs. "No, not exactly. Though the right outfit can certainly help you at this event," She says.
Now I'm even more curious to know what she's talking about. She moves away from the boxes and we stand in front of each other talking. I listen as she explains what tonight is all about.
"So I’m sure you’re familiar with the concept of an auction, right?” she asks.
I nod, curious. An auction sounds like the last thing I need right now, unless I’m contributing lots or something.