Summer Daze

by Renee Porter

  “I would do anything. Except for that.” I put my finger in the air to successful stop her defending her idea to have El sponsor my shop. “I’ll think of something else. Don’t worry.” I attempted my best smile. I knew that mom would stop once she saw that smile. The one that said, “don’t give me anymore shit, please.”

  A single nod and the conversation ended.

  The rest of the night I tossed and turned as I held onto my pillow as if it would whisper exactly what I needed to hear. I was twenty six years old, still lived with my parents and my future was looking more grim with each tick of the clock. And for the umpteenth time that day, I thought about El, and how I was happy she wasn’t here to see how much of a failure I actually became.

  Chapter 18

  Mid-June with record breaking temperatures greeted me the day that my life turned upside down.

  It started off like any other day, really. I received a call from Marshall saying he was too sick to come into work. He didn’t sound that sick but I welcomed the idea of not having to pay him for the day. I loved Marshall but his ‘salary’ was suddenly becoming a larger hole in my monthly debt. I didn’t want to think about it but I was trying to figure out how not to let him go.

  This is when the heartburn started. I rubbed my chest as I closed my eyes behind the counter. I could feel the acid rising up from my stomach to my throat. I hadn’t been able to eat and sleep was a far-off dream in itself. I don’t believe I had a full night sleep in over a week. Ever since my mother brought up the idea of calling El, she was all I could think of. Every night landed me in a fantasy of me picking up the phone to call her. In my fantasy, she admitted that she missed me and she would do anything to help me out of the mess I made for myself.

  There was also a not so popular fantasy where she laughed in my face. This was the real reason I couldn’t sleep. For some unpopular thought in my head, I figured this would be the most likely outcome of what would occur if I called El.

  That was, if she even had the same phone number. “Which she never picked up in the first place,” I mumbled aloud.

  “What was that?” I opened my eyes to see a devilishly handsome man grinning at me. He held up a snapback hat with a few ‘So Cal’ t-shirts. I immediately blushed and fixed my hair, not knowing why I hadn’t heard anyone come in let alone know that someone other than family was wanting to buy something from me.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean…I was just…” I waved my hands in the air. “Never mind.” I smiled at him and took the items from his hands. I tried to place the man in front of me. He looked so familiar as if I had seen him before. Maybe he used to be a customer?

  “This store is great. I can’t believe this is the first time I’ve heard of it.” He gave me that boyish smile again. Okay, not an old customer. Then where did I know him from?

  “Thank you. I appreciate that. Business has been a little slow, unfortunately. That’s why I didn’t know you were here, before…” I was mumbling I knew, but also not knowing exactly why. Men generally didn’t have this effect on me.

  “I’ve heard.” The man gave me a sincere smile as he handed me his card. I handed it back to him and secretly cursed myself for not checking the name. He had to be someone I’ve met before. Maybe I saw him in West Hollywood? He could be gay, with the way he was dressed and how manicured his image was…”

  “Thank you so much. I’ll definitely be returning with some friends.” He waved and I nodded in my assumption that he was gay. I must have seen him back in my days when I actually had a social life.

  The rest of the day was like every other. I watched as people passed by my glass doors, obviously liking what they saw on my display but not enough to come in. Maybe if I tried something different?

  The rest of the day I played around with the front display. I put in every effort to make it look trendy and fun and even I had to say that if didn’t own the store I would want to shop here.

  I smiled as I closed up shop, my phone ringing as soon as I turned the lock.

  “How was today? Anything interesting happen?”

  “Hello to you too, Marshall.” I sang through the phone. He didn’t sound too sick but I didn’t press.

  “Hi, honey,” he backtracked, and then, “anything interesting happen?”

  I chuckled as I ran back through my day over the phone to him. “Let’s see, I balanced my books in the morning which put me in a fantastical daydream where the hole I was in was my actual profit and not my debt.” I bit my lip, thinking about the gentleman that stopped by. I was going to tell Marshall about it but it was only one sale, and not a very large one at that. “But I did rearrange the front display. I think it’s my best work yet.” I opened my car door as I heard Marshall let out a frustrated sigh. “Sorry, I know you worked hard on the old one, but I didn’t think you’d be upset…”

  “What? No, I’m not upset about that. It’s just…never mind, it’s nothing.”

  I could hear Marshall’s tone and suddenly felt guilty about rearranging his display. I told myself after hanging up with him that if nothing came of my own display, I’d change it back to his. At least his got a few sales out of it.

  Two days later and no sales I decided that my display wasn’t nearly as up to par as I thought it was. How could I even think that a display could beat Quarters half a million a year marketing. I swallowed hard as the realization finally settled in. If I cut my losses now, I could break even with everything, and not lose anything but my dignity. I just needed to find a new business to take over my lease. That way I wouldn’t have to pay to break the contract.

  “Excuse me. Do you have any of those black and gold snap backs?” I was rattled out of my deepening depression by a young girl and her crew. It brought me back to my Now or Never days when Summer would come in with El. El, that’s who this young girl reminded me of. Blue eyes and dark blonde hair.

  I cleared my throat as I realized the girls were waiting for me to answer. I nodded and pointed toward the stack of hats in the back. I watched them as they jumped when they saw the hat they were looking for. It would be the second hat of its kind that I sold in the last three days. I mentally took a note that it must be in style. And then I watched as not only young El look alike took down a hat, so did one of her friends, and then the next and next.

  “Wow, these must be in style huh?” I asked as I started to ring them up. The girls looked at me as if I had grown a second head. Was I really that out of tune?

  They waved goodbye as I watched each teenager place the hat on their head and walk out giggling, allowing a new group of teenagers in. “Hi, where do you keep those hats? And my friend is looking for the letterman jacket with Badlands on the back.” The young girl smiled as I pointed toward the back.

  The hats were the first to go. That’s what I noticed when even my overstock ran out that day. The letterman jackets were second to go. Although people were saddened to hear that I was out of stock, it didn’t stop them from buying other things. And just like that, with my final sale, I looked at my store as I locked the door and started to tear. It was a mess. There were girl jeans hung carelessly where men’s belts were located. Earrings strewn across the shelves and hats in all corners of the store. Don’t get me started with how much folding I had to do. I looked over at my display and smiled.

  Maybe I was genius after all!

  The phone rang and I let it go. It had been ringing off the hook all day for people wondering when I was getting more stock of the ‘most popular items in the world’, their words not mine.

  Again, it rang and this time I picked up, letting the caller know that I was already closed.

  “Jayce, you won’t believe it!”

  “I know already, Mom. I had the best day today. I changed my front display a few days ago and suddenly everyone wants these hats and letterman jackets with the store name and…” I was interrupted by a knock on the door. I looked outside to see my mother on her cellphone smiling. I opened the door for her as she came rushing i
n.

  “How do you know Daniel Branson?” I furrowed my brows trying to place the name.

  “Who?”

  My mother typed in something on her phone and handed it to me. The handsome man that had been in my shop a few days ago was being interviewed in the video. He had on my signature hat and letterman jacket and suddenly it all clicked into place.

  This was the celebrity sponsorship I needed but didn’t want. I knew now why the handsome man looked so familiar and kicked myself for not remembering. I looked toward my mom and handed her the phone. “Did you do this?” I was frustrated and my ego was a little hurt that my display wasn’t in fact the reason my sales turned around for the better.

  “What? How would I know Daniel Branson?”

  “He’s El’s boyfriend Mom,” the words spit from my mouth like venom as I watched my mom mouth a surprised ‘oh’.

  “I had no idea. I thought she was married to her manager…”

  “Not anymore.” I sighed as I rolled my shoulders. “This couldn’t be a coincidence.” Again, my mother shrugged her shoulders.

  “Does it matter? From the looks of it, you had a great day.” I was torn. I didn’t want to be linked to El in any way, but at the same time, it was saving my business.

  “I guess it doesn’t. I just wanted to be able to do this myself.”

  “You know it’s okay to ask for help.” My mother hugged me as I let out a deep breath.

  “You’re right.” I smiled at my mother and waited while she chuckled.

  “Of course, I’ll help you clean up. You don’t even have to ask.” I watched as my mother started to fold the shirts in front of her and I secretly thanked the world that things were turning around. Even if there was a pit deep in my stomach knowing things were about to upend my life.

  Chapter 19

  It didn’t matter how many weeks had passed since Daniel Branson’s interview. It seemed as though a new one would come out with him wearing a new branded Badlands hat, shirt or accessory and the store would be just as busy as the day before. I ended up having to hire more staff just to keep up with the increase of traffic to the store.

  I made sure never to be there when Daniel came in, although I found out the days that he was there, we would sell out instantly of whatever he was buying.

  “Hey, Jayce? There is someone here who is asking for the owner?” Kaycee informed me from my seat in the back office. I took a look at the security camera footage and noticed a nicely dressed brunette standing next to the Badlands promotional shirts. She picked one up, looked at the tag and noticeably frowned.

  “Did she say what she wanted?” I asked carefully. It was almost closing time and the last thing I wanted was to deal with a difficult customer.

  “She said she is from Quarters.” Kaycee whispered and my curiosity piqued.

  “Quarters?”

  Kaycee nodded as I walked out with the young teenager. I fixed my outfit and stood up straight, not knowing why someone from the rival store along the way would want to talk to me.

  “Hello, I’m Jayce Danley,” I held out my hand as the woman smiled slowly. She looked me up and down as if I wasn’t there and suddenly felt naked in the middle of my store.

  “Hello, Jayce. I’m Natalia Bradshaw, Regional Vice President of Marketing for Quarters.” I held onto her hand and continued to shake it until I felt her finally let go. It was all part of owning the turf she was on.

  “Regional Vice President?” My voice cracked and I cleared my throat. So much for being ‘big girl on campus’.

  “Yes,” Natalia smiled as she waved her hand around my store. “Your brand has received a lot of attention lately and we are interested in perhaps partnering with you. We can get Badlands national recognition.” Natalia’s green eyes sparkled and for a moment the blood rushed from my head down south. Then, when I was found out and she chuckled the blood ran right back to my cheeks.

  “Well, I think that sounds like a dream, but I’ll have to think about it.” Natalia’s lips pursed in a thin line. I was under the assumption she didn’t get rejected on the spot very often.

  “I like a girl who takes her time,” and if I didn’t know any better she winked right after that. Natalia pulled out her card and left me standing there looking after her. My mouth was slightly agape as I felt it close not on its own accord.

  “Real smooth, Jay.” I didn’t have to look to know who that voice belonged to and to be honest I was surprised it took her this long to show. I knew that El would make an appearance and I had been prepping myself mentally for when she did.

  I told myself that I wouldn’t feel anything when I first saw El. Why would I? She was someone in my past and I probably had no idea who the dirty blonde, blue eyed, ridiculously gorgeous and bright smiled woman was anymore.

  Jesus, who was I kidding? I smiled tightly as I steeled my back and looked El in her dark, warm blue eyes.

  “Hi, can I help you find something?” Yes, my plan was working. Act as if you don’t know who she is. Like she didn’t greatly impact your life in every way possible.

  El looked slightly taken aback and if I didn’t know any better looked slightly hurt. Then the look fell from her face and her expression hardened.”

  “Actually, no. I was looking to see if my friend was here but apparently she isn’t.” El took off the hat she was wearing and placed it back on the rack. I watched as she hurried toward the exit and for the life of me I wasn’t sure why my feet weren’t responding to my mind to not follow.

  “El, wait.” I managed to catch up to her but was trying frightfully to run through any words that would make this situation feel any less awkward. El turned and crossed her arms, looking stern and closed off. Yes, I definitely pissed her off. “Where are you going?” I asked. I licked my lips as I really took in El. I hadn’t seen her for years and I hated how she seemed more beautiful than ever. Every year seemed to add a few more light freckles on her nose and cheeks. Her eyes, I knew, were even darker blue if it was even possible. And her damned attitude made her even more beautiful.

  “Where am I going? Crazy, that’s where I’m going.” She drew her fingers in her hair and got caught on a tangle. With what was supposed to look like a cool brush off ended up making her seem like the El I was used to.

  I chuckled and El glared at me harder but then quirked a smile herself.

  “Why can’t I ever stay mad at you?”

  I tilted my head ready to answer but thought best of it. “Why don’t you come back in. You can help me in the back.” I tilted my head toward the store but she looked hesitant. I wasn’t sure if it was because she was going to be alone with me.

  “I’m not sure, I saw a few people recognize me and if that’s the case, I won’t know how long we have until the world finds out I’m here.” I wasn’t sure if she was more worried about the paparazzi or her boyfriend.

  “There’s a back entrance,” I offered. She hesitated a moment longer but then nodded her head.

  It took less than a minute to get to the back door of my shop. I made sure none of the staffers were in the back and ushered El in quickly and locked the office door. I stood there awkwardly in the small space until El took it upon herself to make herself more at home.

  Sitting in my office chair, she twirled one time around and then landed on my bulletin board. There, in pictures and quotes, was the last few years of my life. Marshall and me arm in arm. My family and me at the store’s opening. My reviews in the local paper, and lastly, a lineup from the Warped Tour that fateful last year I saw El, with Solithane listed on one of the small stages. El lingered a little on that one and then turned to me with a smile.

  “It looks like we both have made a name for ourselves, huh?” I know she wanted to ask more about that night, or maybe that’s what I had hoped.

  “Yeah. Thanks to your boyfriend.” I leaned on the desk opposite of her. I said the phrase again in my head and hoped that she didn’t think I was being sarcastic. Sometimes people didn’t understa
nd me.

  El chuckled and nodded. “Yeah, I noticed. Your store is all he can talk about. Badlands this and ‘Hey, El, look at this hat’ and ‘the owner is hot…’” she made a ‘blabbing’ motion with her hand and I reddened at the last bit. “So, naturally I needed to look up what my boyfriend was so infatuated with.”

  “Naturally,” I said. I observed El and her mannerisms. Something about the way she was talking and how she was sitting made me believe a different story. El was a singer, not an actress, but maybe I was giving myself too much credit.

  “Jay? Do you want to count out or…” the knob wiggled and when the person on the other side found it locked, knocked. “Are you in there? Don’t you dare act like you’re too busy to count out. There is way too much here and Kaycee is not a mathematician…”

  I held up a finger to El, assuming she knew it meant to be quiet and cracked the door.

  “Marshall, hey,” I made sure to thicken the honey dripping from my tone. “Can you do it please? I’m…trying to…” In my brain I was telling myself to say anything. Balancing the books, ordering more stock, cleaning. But nothing came to my brain other than ‘talking to El Bloom.’

  “If you need to go Jay I can wait here. Or I can leave, if you’re too busy.” I looked over my shoulder and pleaded to El with my eyes. That’s when Marshall’s own eyes grew mischievous.

  “You have a girl in here!” If Marshall is anything, it’s not shy. He pushed the door open to a very composed El. “Oh. It’s her.” And that’s when El and I both grew confused.

  “Her?”

  “Yeah, her?” El said, defensively. Marshall looked to me then El and then Marshall seemed to compose himself.

  “I mean, you don’t like her music. So, that’s why I thought…” My eyes widened and I heard El give a frustrated chuckle.

  “Really?” I looked at El and her raised eyebrows, waiting for an explanation. Suddenly, it wasn’t Marshall on the defense but me.

  “Can you blame me?” I asked. It was laced with something other than honey and I myself winced.