The night before the grand openin’, we all meet up for dinner at Peaches Place to discuss what needs to be done. My parents, sister, and her boyfriend, along with Abel Lee’s family, will all be there to help. I’m not sure how, but the grand openin’ has grown into something much larger than I expected. There are rumors that some high-profile people will be here. I guess the webpage and the catalog has stirred up the buzz that Abel Lee was hopin’ for. As we eat, we discuss the event.
At 9:00 am we’ll start off with the dedication of the buildin’, then they’ll do a ribbon-cuttin’ ceremony. There will be free food, games, prizes, and some bounce houses for the kids. Ethan and his dad, Kevin, and the other furniture makers, along with Rick Crooks and Johnny, will all be on display makin’ their furniture or sculptures. This will be an all-day event and it’ll take everyone to make it a success. We’ll also have the store up and runnin’, along with all of the other activities.
I wake up early. Thankfully, I never suffered from mornin’ sickness with my first pregnancy, and I haven’t suffered from it yet with this one. We still haven’t told anyone about the baby because we both want to wait the three months the doctors suggest. Although I think Nelly, Mom, Samantha Marie, and Mia all suspect from the things they’ve said, I won’t tell them until Abel Lee and I are ready, and that’ll be in a couple more weeks.
Abel Lee is already awake and showered. I swear that man never sleeps. I get my cup of decaf coffee and join him at the dinin’ room table. He’s on the computer, and he looks like he’s in deep thought. Lookin’ out the window, I see that it’s a beautiful fall day. “Good mornin’.”
“Good morning.” He closes his laptop and gives me his undivided attention.
“Anything new goin’ on in cyber world?”
He laughs. “A lot is going on, but nothing interesting.” He watches me as he brings his mug of steamin’ coffee to his lips. “How do you feel today?”
“I feel good, and nervous, and excited.”
He laughs again. “Are those pregnancy-hormone emotions?”
“Nope, these are emotions of an excitin’ day we have planned.”
“The food vendors will be coming to set up. I need to be heading over there and offer some assistance when they come.” He stands with his coffee cup in hand. “Do you need help with anything before I leave?”
“I don’t think so.” I stand with him and follow him into the kitchen. “As soon as Sawyer Jackson and I shower, we’ll be over.”
“Okay, sounds goods.”
He leaves and I shower before Sawyer Jackson wakes up. After breakfast I ask, “Sawyer Jackson, should I wear this dress or this dress?” I hold up a red large plaid dress, and a yellow and white gingham dress.
He looks at the dresses and walks over to the closet. “What about you wear this?” He searches my closet and pulls down a white blouse.
Not really what I had planned to wear today, but I notice it matches his white shirt. “Good choice, thank you.”
“You want me to pick out your shoes, too?” he asks as he looks in the bottom of my closet.
“Nope, I’m gonna wear jeans and my boots.” If my jeans still fit me. I think I’m startin’ to show sooner with this pregnancy than I did when I was pregnant with Sawyer Jackson. “Just give me a few more minutes and I’ll be ready.”
“Okay, hurry up. There’s lots and lots of people outside.”
I watch as he walks out of the room.
“Okay, five more minutes.”
After four pairs of jeans, I finally find a pair that fits. I see a little pudge, but I hope no one else will notice it. Sawyer Jackson and I pack a small backpack with some necessities we think I’ll need for later. I pack my camera, wipes, and Bandaids, and Sawyer Jackson packs action figures and toy cars. After takin’ some deep breaths to calm my nerves, I walk outside with Sawyer Jackson.
The “Openin’ Soon” temporary sign has been removed from over the “Old School Furniture, Figurines, and Sculptures” sign.
I stop and admire what one man has done to this ole town. Everything is clean and beautiful. I admire the beauty of it all as we weave in and out of the crowds lookin’ for Abel Lee or some other member of our family. It’s a lot more crowded than I thought it would be, since the festivities aren’t scheduled to start until after the buildin’ dedication. News reporters, food vendors, and people are everywhere. Kids are playin on the playground, while friends are chattin’ cheerfully.
My stomach does a flip and I can’t be certain why. It could be a start of a bug, nerves from such an important day, or mornin’ sickness. Sawyer Jackson sees Abel Lee and runs ahead. I look for the nearest restroom. When I can’t make it, I quickly move away from the crowd and duck behind a large oak tree. After a few minutes and when my stomach is completely empty of its contents, someone says, “Here, maybe this will help.”
A man standin’ on the other side of the large tree trunk hands me a bottle of water and a clean white handkerchief.
“Thank you.” I hold the cold bottle of water to my forehead and breathe slowly. I’m grateful for the coolness from the bottled water and for the kindness of a stranger. “I was hoping no one saw that,” I finally say. This is so embarrassin’.
“You’re welcome. I don’t think anyone else was payin’ attention.”
I dab my mouth with the clean handkerchief and stand up a little taller. “That came on pretty sudden,” I finally say.
“It looks like you’re doin’ much better. You have a nice day,” he says and he begins to walk away.
“Thank you again. Is there an address where I can send you this, after I launder it?” I dab my forehead and my mouth with the handkerchief again. It’s dirty, I can’t hardly hand it over to him after I’ve used it.
“That’s not necessary. Have a good day, Ma’am.” He nods and disappears into the crowd.
“Thank you, again,” I yell into the crowd at the unknown man. He left so fast I didn’t even get his name. Maybe, hopefully I’ll see him later to personally thank him for his kindness. I tuck the water bottle and the handkerchief into my backpack and I begin my search for Abel Lee and Sawyer Jackson. I spot Abel Lee over at the jumphouse with Sawyer Jackson, and I make my way over to them.
“Momma, can I jump?”
“Let’s see if it’s ready first.”
His eyes light up with excitement. He has seen these only at the Perry County Fair, and it was his favorite ride, if you can call it a ride. Now one is in his backyard temporarily. What a difference a year makes.
The man attendin’ to the ride says, “It’s ready.”
“You wanna jump, Buddy?”
“Yay, can I?”
Before Abel Lee can answer, Sawyer Jackson is takin’ off his shoes and climbin’ into the large castle-shaped balloon house. No other kids are jumpin’ yet — just Sawyer Jackson.
“Don’t you have to do the buildin’ dedication?”
“We do, but he can jump for a few minutes. A few minutes won’t matter.”
I watch as people start gravitatin’ towards the old school. It must be close to 9:00.
Abel Lee asks, “Did you get some breakfast before coming over?”
“No, I didn’t.” That must be what’s wrong with my belly. “Sawyer Jackson had oatmeal at home. I’ll get something soon.”
“The vendors have donuts, fresh fruit, and some other things. Watch him, and I’ll get both of you something.”
I call for Sawyer Jackson and put his shoes on him when Abel Lee returns. “I wasn’t sure what to get you…”
“So you got something of everything?”
“Just to be safe.”
Abel Lee waits patiently while we eat. The yogurt he got me was perfect, although the donuts smell wonderful. He’s dressed in jeans, a white shirt, and cowboy boots. We’re dressed alike except for my belt buckle. He keeps lookin’ down at my jeans, and I wonder whether he’s lookin’ at my pudgy belly or at my Catch and Release buckle. I wipe the powdered suga
r from Sawyer Jackson’s face when our family members walk up to us.
“Looks like a great turnout,” Bud says.
“It also looks like it’s showtime,” Daddy adds.
“You ready, Savannah Mae?” Abel Lee asks.
“For what?”
“To dedicate the building to Larry Adams.”
I laugh as I hold Sawyer Jackson’s hand for security. I have stage fright, I can’t go up there in front of all of these people. “I’m just here to watch you and offer support.”
“C’mon, you can offer support from the front porch of the old school.”
Abel Lee takes Sawyer Jackson’s hand and my hand and walks us towards the new furniture store. My heart races as we get closer. I hate crowds. I hate public speakin’, even if it isn’t me speakin’.
“We get to stand in front of all these people?” Sawyer Jackson asks excitedly. Who is this child who’s excited about bein’ the center of attention.
We walk through the crowd before we get to the front entrance of the store. I see a podium I didn’t notice before and a cordless microphone restin’ on it. Abel Lee picks up Sawyer Jackson as I stand nearby. I try to smile, but I’m so nervous. Sawyer Jackson is smilin’ like he’s the star of the show. Abel Lee picks up the microphone and turns it on before speakin’ into it. “Testing, one, two. Testing, one, two.” Someone in the back gives him a thumbs up and Abel Lee nods. He looks tall, strong, and professional. I straighten and stand as tall as my 5’2” will let me.
Abel Lee says, “My family and I would like to thank you all for coming out on this special day. When we bought the old schoolhouse, we had no idea what to do with it. After seeing so much talent in Rose Farm, it was a no-brainer. I was so grateful when Ethan and Kevin Dickerson, Rick Crooks, and Johnny Bowen agreed to come and work for us. They’ve worked hard to bring you the best-quality, handcrafted pieces of furniture and art there are.” He looks around the crowd and nods to everyone. Rick Crooks is blind, but his sister, Diana Hand, is there with him. “Today, we would like to dedicate the ‘Old School Furniture, Figurines, and Sculptures’ building to an old friend, Larry Adams. Larry was taken too soon from this life, but his memory will always live on.” He pauses and searches the crowd. “Savannah Mae, is there anything you’d like to add?”
What? Who? Me? My heart races and my hands become sweaty. He looks at me and smiles. He knows what he’s doin’. I plaster on a smile and take the microphone. I can’t let him know he got the best of me. I clear my throat and pray I’m speakin’ calmly. “We just want to thank everyone for comin’ out to celebrate with us. Stay as long as you want and be sure to stop by and visit the store and the workshop before you head home.” I smile at Abel Lee before I smile to the crowd. “Sawyer Jackson, is there anything you want to say?”
He leans forward and talks loudly into the mic, “Yep, everything’s free, too.”
Everyone laughs and I hand Abel Lee the microphone. He tells the crowd, “Sawyer Jackson is almost right; the food, drinks, games, and face painting are free, but the furniture you must pay for. So make sure you all have a great time. The store will be open for business, and the guys will be showing off their talent at noon. Breakfast is served for another hour, then it’s barbeque and brats.”
A man in the crowd asks, “And beer, too?”
Abel Lee searches the crowd for the man speakin’ and laughs, “Sorry, not today, it’s a family affair. But we do have live bluegrass music for your enjoyment.”
Abel Lee
I turn off the microphone and lay it on the podium before Savannah Mae can say anything to me. The last thing I want is for her words to be heard over a microphone in front of small children and families. Sometimes, but not very often, she has a colorful way of speaking. As we walk away from the podium, she says, “Thought you were funny up there, didn’t you?”
“Who? Me?” I ask, still carrying Sawyer Jackson. I set him down and he runs the short distance to the bounce house, kicking off his shoes. I slow and take her hand in mine, never taking my eyes off of Sawyer Jackson. “I thought you did great up there.”
“Abel Lee, I know you’re laughin’ at me under your breath.”
I look over at her and smile. “No, I’m not. I really thought you did great.” Looking ahead at Sawyer Jackson, I try to keep him in my view. There’s a lot of people here, and I’m worried he’ll get lost in the crowd.
She stops in her tracks. “Oh, Abel Lee, I forgot about gettin’ money for the register,” She says disappointly. My first day to open the store, and I already forgot something important.
“I had Levi and Mia get the register ready for the shop this morning. It’s all set up and ready for customers.” We stand outside of the bounce house and watch as Sawyer Jackson runs around jumping.
“I need to get over there and make sure everything’s ready to go.”
“Okay, I saw Mia and Levi go in a few minutes ago. I’ll let Sawyer Jackson play for a bit, and then I’ll be over and check it out, if that’s all right?” She laughs and I smile. This is Savannah Mae’s business, and other than me offering her advice or help, it’s hers to do with as she sees fit. I’ll step in only if she asks. She has a great mind and she’ll catch on quick enough about learning how to run and manage a business. When she doesn’t say anything, I ask, “It is okay that I see it now, right?”
“Yes, now might be a good time for you to see what we’ve done.”
“Good, I’ll be over shortly.”
She leans in and kisses Sawyer Jackson through the netting before she kisses me. I watch as she walks through the crowd of people and enters through the back door of the old school. As I watch the kids run and laugh, I think the new business looks like a success already. I see Harley swinging on the baby swing and I’m glad that Momma suggested we get some swings for infants. At the time, I didn’t even know there was a difference in swings for children.
“Can we get something to drink?” Sawyer Jackson asks through the netting.
“Sure can, what do you want?”
“Some cherry Kool-Aid.”
I laugh internally. “I don’t think you’ll find any cherry Kool-Aid here, Buddy.”
“We have some at home,” he says, making his way to the exit.
“Okay, we’ll go home and get you some Kool-Aid. Let’s also change you into some play clothes.”
Once he’s done changing and his Kool-Aid is gone, we head over to see Savannah Mae. Momma stops me to see if she can take Sawyer Jackson to get his face painted. I watch as they rush off in the direction of the cotton candy machine first. He’ll be sick before the day’s over. I walk past the workshop, which is full of spectators. Johnny is smiling as he explains the technique of his craft. Rick also has a crowd in front of him. He’s just sitting there in his jean overalls chatting like he knows everyone on a personal level. He probably does. I don’t think there’s a person he doesn’t know, or like. He’s a lot like Will Rogers, author of Never Met a Man I Didn’t Like, who once said, “Common sense ain’t common.”
Ethan and Kevin are also talking to several people. I nod to everyone but talk to Rick before I leave.
Once I get to the old school, I knock and try to open the door to yell inside. It’s locked and the closed sign is in place. Good girl. Savannah Mae comes to the door and peeks outside. “Oh, good, it’s you.” She holds the door wide for me to walk through.
“Everything okay?” I walk in and pull the door shut and lock it behind me. My eyes scan the room and I’m impressed. “It looks like a real furniture store.”
“Thank you, it’s supposed to.”
“I know, but I never thought it would look like this.”
I walk around the room looking at the display. It looks great. Everything looks wonderful. The furniture is set up in makeshift rooms with seating areas. There are even candles from a local candle factory, Lumi Lite, on display and for sale. The lamps that Kevin and Ethan made are turned on.
The overhead fluorescent ligh
ting is off. “Did you forget to turn the overhead lights on?”
“No, most houses don’t have fluorescent lightin’, I’m trying to create a soft, homey atmosphere, not an industrial feel.”
“I think you’ve succeeded.” I smile as I walk over to her. She’s standing behind the register.
Mia comes in using her key and locks the door behind her. “It’s crazy out there.”
“I know, they are startin’ to line up to come in.” Savannah Mae tucks a loose piece of hair behind her ear.
“You okay, Babe?”
She smiles. “I am. This is a big day.”
“You ready to open for business?”
“As soon as we open the curtains to let some natural light in, we’ll be ready.” Savannah Mae walks out from behind the counter and heads to the front of the store. Mia starts on the back of the store opening each curtain. The natural lighting does make a difference. It no longer looks like an old schoolhouse, or an old dilapidated building. It looks like something from a magazine. The couches have throw pillows and afghans, and the floors have area rugs. Even the walls have some Leslie Cope prints and other pictures hanging.
“Is everything in here for sale?”
“No, the accent pieces are to only add appeal to the furniture,” Mia says, walking closer.
I speak up, maybe out of place. “If someone asks, tell them the accent pieces are on backorder.”
Savannah Mae says, “You also want to sell the pillows and throws?”
“And the rugs,” I say. But then I remember this isn’t my business. “What do you think?”
Savannah Mae looks around the room. “I think it’s a great idea. I’ll need to make some money before I can make a purchase like that.”
“I can loan you the money to make additional purchases on accent pieces, and when you make it back you can repay me.” Of course, I never expect Savannah Mae to borrow money from me or to pay me back.
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