Early Bird Special

by Tracy Krimmer

  "Excuse me, Francie, but I need you to move out of the way. You're kind of in the way of traffic. Feel free to zone out over in the paper products. I don't think there is a crowd over by paper plates and napkins."

  I unlocked from my trance at the pat on my shoulder. Him again. "Why do you keep showing up?" Seriously.

  He pointed to his chest, revealing a white name tag with red writing that said "Shane" in block letters. "I work here."

  So, ski mask guy had a name. Underneath his name it stated Assistant Manager. "Sorry. I forgot. But, are you stalking me or something? First, you're outside giving me a hard time and now you're pushing me out of the aisle."

  Shane lifted his finger up. "My rebuttal. First, I don't think I gave you a hard time. I was only interacting with the shoppers, which, by the way, is my job. Second, I'm pushing you out of the main walkway. You're making it a tad difficult for everyone to get past you and do their shopping." He took me by the arm and tugged me toward the clothing section.

  "Excuse me." I pushed his arm away from me. "I would prefer you don't touch me."

  "Oh, sorry, Miss. Do I repulse you?"

  I clutched my purse as he stared back at me. His eyes didn't catch me before through the slits in his mask like they did now. Tiny flecks of gold burst through the green, like freshly turned leaves on an autumn day. Dark brows rested above, a gentle bristle of hair surrounding his face and above his lips. When he smiled, his cheeks puffed up and his eyes sparkled even more, if that were possible. "I don't know you, so I would rather you refrain from touching me."

  He took a step back and put his hands up in surrender. "Is there anything I can help you find?"

  Finally, he could stop annoying me and assist me. Except now that he asked the question, I had no idea what I needed. What had I stood in line for? As he waited for my reply, obviously needing to get back to work, I couldn't find the words.

  "Okay. If you figure it out, either find me, or any other associate in the store can assist you."

  My phone vibrated in my purse, so I snatched it out as Shane began to fade into the distance. A glance revealed a text from my friend Lisa asking how I made out at the sale. Shoot! "Frozen!" I yelled toward Shane.

  He stopped, turned, and shouted, "Do you mean freeze?"

  Panicking, I tossed my phone back into my purse and headed quickly for him, but not so quick to seem eager. "No. Frozen. I'm here for some new Frozen toys. They were in the ad."

  "Ah. Of course, Frozen. Every little girl, and grown up girl's, favorite movie."

  What? "No, no. It's for my friend's daughter. I kind of intended to pick up some of these toys for Christmas." I had never seen the movie. Lisa's daughter played it on the television many times when I visited, but I never actually sat and watched it.

  "Kind of?"

  Within seconds, Shane changed from a man I didn't mind talking to back to the irritating guy in the mask. "Fine. I came to get Frozen toys."

  He laughed, and his eyes squinted as he did so. "Um, okay. I can show you where to find those, but I bet they're already gone."

  Of course they are. I spent ten minutes standing in one spot staring at everyone around me as they scooped up all the deals. The minutes I spent reflecting on the reasoning I had for wasting my day shopping cost me what I came for. I never promised Lisa I would get the toys, but I hadn't really tried, either. "I have to look anyway. My friend won't forgive me if I didn't even look."

  Shane waved me along with him and we squeezed between displays and groups of people as we headed toward the toy area. "What's your friend doing today that she couldn't come get these toys for her daughter?"

  Five feet ahead of me, Shane maneuvered around the aisles like a pro. I picked up my pace to stay close, and hear him better. "Well, she's..." Wait a minute. What was she doing? Why did I tell her I would come and get the toys for her? Every year she went to her dad and step mom's house with her husband and daughter. While her step mom made a turkey with all the classic sides, her dad and husband watched football, her daughter colored, and she curled up in the corner with a book. She asked me to pick up the toys for her, but, really, she wasn't doing much either that she couldn't have gone herself.

  "Let me guess," Shane said as he stopped in front of an empty display of Frozen toys. "Your friend is enjoying her Thanksgiving with her family, while you're out beating the crowds for something not even for you."

  "What can I say? I'm a helpful person. I'm being a good friend."

  "Or you're being taken advantage of, but, who am I to judge?"

  "You're right. You shouldn't judge. You don't know me or my friend, so don't pretend you do." Dammit. How dare he question me. "Thanks for your help, Shane." I plucked my phone out and texted Lisa back that the store sold out already.

  "Any time, Francie."

  I stomped my foot on the ground like a two-year-old child as he walked away to help another customer. Why did I let this guy get to me?

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Two hours later, all four of us arrived back home, my dad already napping on the couch, my brother sitting with his iPad playing some game, and my mom preparing turkey sandwiches for a snack. Yes, we probably would be eating turkey sandwiches for a week! I sat at the kitchen table in a sea of disappointment.

  "I let Lisa down, Mom. I told her I would get those toys for Abby and I didn't."

  My mom slapped bread onto the counter. She spread mayonnaise across each slice, carefully placing a few strips of turkey on each piece. When she finished decorating each one, she cut them in half, and placed them on a large platter. "If Lisa wanted these toys for Abby, she should consider going herself next time."

  Huh. Shane hinted around to the same sort of thing. Was it wrong I went for her? I mean, I offered. My life revolved around other people and doing things for them. Twas the life of a party planner! I aim to please, and I'm not happy until my customer is happy. Of course, Lisa wasn't a customer. She was a friend. "Mom, do you think Lisa takes advantage of me?"

  She pulled a plate out of the cabinet and put one of the sandwiches on it, sliding it in front of me. "I don't think she means to, if she does. You try so hard to make everyone happy, so you don't often say no, when sometimes you should." She tore a piece of the sandwich off and popped it in her mouth. "However, I think sometimes you don't say yes when you should, too."

  "What does that mean?" The whole statement seemed a little contradictory to me. How could I not say no often enough, but at the same time, neglect saying yes?

  Teddy hopped into the room and slapped me on the back.

  "Ow!"

  "That didn't hurt."

  "Like hell it didn't, Teddy." I reached my arm back around to massage the area. I swore as my brother and I got older, the harder it was for us to get along. As kids we fought plenty, but our arguments as adults were on an entirely new level.

  "And Mom's referring to your boyfriend."

  "What boyfriend?"

  "Exactly."

  My last date happened around six months ago. I met Jim while planning a birthday party for his brother, and we got along great. He asked me out, I said yes, the usual. He took me to a movie - I can't even remember which one anymore - and after we went for a bite to eat. When the check came, he slid the paper over to me. The paper moved back and forth between us before he finally told me he thought I would expense it. I never saw him again (and he never called either), and I avoided dating ever since.

  "My job keeps me too busy to date. Who's asked me out lately, anyway?" Nobody. I flew under the radar most times. Even if I dressed in my best outfit, flattened my much too curly hair, and toned down my normally bright makeup, most guys strutted right past me. I liked to think my confidence turned them away, not my looks.

  "What about the gentleman at the store today?" My mom offered some encouragement.

  "What? That Shane guy? No, thank you. He's rude and obnoxious." And funny. And cute. And employed.

  My brother filled a plate. "I think he was hitting on
you."

  "He wasn't hitting on me. Please." If he were, would I know the difference? I mean, he did drive me nuts, but I couldn't get those eyes out of my mind. Even at my own expense, he made me laugh. No. Absolutely not.

  "I agree with your brother."

  My mom didn't agree with Teddy on anything, and this she chose to side with him on. I didn't need them butting in on my love(less) life. So what if at almost thirty-one I had yet to maintain a long relationship. People (my parents) didn't get on Teddy's case. Yeah, okay, he dated a girl for about four months one time, but he lived in my parents' basement with no future love prospects after that short romance fell apart. I didn't see anyone up in his business about meeting someone. At least I kept a full-time job making decent money and people in the community knew my name, and for a positive reason. It took me years to build up my reputation as Francie A. Spiller, The Planning Princess, and maybe a relationship would just get in the way of my very important job.

  "Come on, guys. Leave me alone. It's Thanksgiving. Let me be thankful I only have to worry about buying presents for this little crowd of people here, and my arguments can be kept at a minimum." Not dating anyone did present its benefits. I need only be concerned about myself, and was free to move about however I pleased.

  "What's all the commotion in here?" My dad hiked up his jeans as he entered the room. "I'm trying to take a nap."

  "Dear, you're always napping." My mom loved to tease him about how much he slept. I swore sometimes my dad forgot his age and thought he was still a teenager. He never wanted to roll out of bed until mid-morning on the weekend, and by that time, my mom cleaned the entire house, did her grocery shopping, and read half a book. Thanksgiving morning seemed to be the only day he forced himself up early anymore on a day off, and probably because he could come home and nap all afternoon.

  My dad sat at the table with me while my mom prepared a plate for him. The fact she did all that for him might be sweet, but I wondered if my dad even knew how to make his own sandwich. Did he even know where to find the knives? Plates? He relied on my mom so much. Was making lunch for him every day of his life part of their wedding vows?

  "We're talking about how Francie doesn't have a boyfriend," my brother filled him in.

  "Nor should she. She's one of those independent women I hear so much about these days."

  "What do you mean, Dad?" My dad always was proud of my career path, and as my dad, I was sure he didn't want to rush marrying me off, but did that mean I should be exempt from love forever?

  He cleared his throat. "You know, the women who focus on their careers and could care less about getting married. You don't need that, Francie. You've got yourself."

  My family ate their turkey sandwiches, and my father's words began to sink in. Is this what people thought of me? Yeah, I spent a lot of time on my job. I loved my job. I helped people create an event for themselves or their loved ones they would never forget. When the fifty-year old woman jumped in surprise of her birthday party and her face glowed, it brought me joy. The time I assisted in a retirement party and the man's daughter he hadn't spoken with in years showed up, the excitement and appreciation spilled into my heart. And when the most gorgeous bride in the world entered the church, and her groom saw her for the first time in her flowing, white gown, and he didn't give a damn who witnessed him cry, I cried too. Would anyone ever cry for me at my wedding? Did everyone expect me to be alone?

  "Okay, everyone, now's my favorite part of the day. What is everyone thankful for?" My brother and dad groaned as my mom tossed her hands up in the air in anticipation of everyone's responses. "I'll start. I'm thankful we got to spend the morning together and got away with a few good items." She looked at my dad. "You're next."

  He dropped his head as he tried to think of a response. "I'm thankful for the nap I'll take later."

  "Eugene! Dig a little deeper than that." My mom clearly didn't like his answer.

  "Nope. That's what I'm thankful for. Teddy - your turn."

  Teddy bit into his sandwich and took his time chewing. We all pressed him to get moving. We all hated this part, so the fact he wanted to draw it out irritated both me and my dad. "I'm thankful that ..."

  "Come on, Teddy! Spit it out!" I prepared to bolt out of there. I didn't need this crap. I was ready to move on with my day. Who was I kidding? My day consisted of me, myself and I.

  A smile spread on his face. "I'm thankful I sold my video game!" The pitch in his voice became a squeal.

  "You what?" My chair squeaked as I shoved it back and jumped off. "When? How? Why didn't you tell us sooner?"

  He accepted hugs from everyone, except a handshake from Dad. "Two days ago. I've been waiting until now to tell you."

  Teddy worked for this moment for years. My brother, the one everyone thought buried himself in his computer with no future, sold something he worked so hard on. We didn't always get along, but that didn't make me any less proud.

  "Does this mean you'll be getting a place of your own, son?" My dad didn't know how to be discreet.

  "Yes, I'll be moving out as soon as I get the check."

  I couldn't tell if my dad was more proud of Teddy for his accomplishment or that he finally planned on moving out. Deny it all he wanted, I saw a tear in his eye.

  "Now you, Francie."

  I couldn't top his news. According to my dad, I was this successful career woman. What could I be thankful for besides my job? I loved how I reached my goals, and my success came so easily to me. Every year we did this, I almost verbatim stated my thankfulness for my family and my career. Blah, blah, blah. My career was a big part of my life, and that was great, but what about the rest of me? The part of me that craved someone to share my life with? I locked that part away when I became so focused on a fulfilling career. I pushed my love life aside for the paycheck. Being part of a couple didn't take away my success. I could share my success with someone.

  "Francie!" My mom tried to get my attention.

  My mind wandered back to the store and Shane. What if my mom and Teddy were right? Maybe this guy did want to go out on a date. Perhaps the time came for me to forget about my last crappy date and go out on another one. But, what if I read him wrong? What if he wasn't hitting on me? He worked there - it was his job to be nice to the customers. But, I couldn't help but wonder if behind Shane's jokes and weird behavior, a nice, decent guy stood, and I would be the crazy one to bypass the chance? I wasn't thinking marriage here - just a date.

  "Francie, honey, come on now." My dad urged me.

  This hear, I needed a new answer, and I had the perfect one. "I ... I'm thankful for my family pointing out I'm too focused on my career, and reminding me I want someone to make sandwiches for the rest of my life."

  I probably confused them, but I didn't care. I excused myself, put on my jacket, and headed for the store.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Now that I stood in front of the entrance to the store, I doubted my decision to come. What was I even doing here? I didn't construct a plan, and I had no idea what to say. "Hi, I'm Francie, I haven't been on a real date in years, care to take me out?" I'm sure Shane wouldn't say yes to a bumbling idiot like me. I was Francie A. Spiller, dammit. I ran entire parties, and coordinated events for hundreds of people. There shouldn't be any reason for me not to be able to do this. Really, I couldn't even ask this guy a simple question? Why did my confidence fly out the window the moment my love life got involved?

  Okay, the short plan consisted of me going in, finding him, and just feeling him out. Considering it was one of the biggest shopping days of the year, chances were he couldn't even talk to me. As assistant manager, he probably ran around all day putting out fires - angry customers, knocked-over displays, and employees who didn't know how to handle the chaotic day. Actually, now that I thought about it, his day closely mirrored the craziness of my work days. I inhaled the frigid air, a cloud of fog forming in front of my face. You can do this, Francie.

  Once the automatic door
opened, I stepped through, breathed through my nose, and let out a huge sigh. I couldn't believe I actually was doing this.

  What a difference a few hours makes. Not too long ago, I could barely walk through the main area - of course, I caused most of the hold up - and now the area widened, free of the hustle and bustle of customers. All carts still vacant from their designated area, though, and the checkout lines boasted at least ten to fifteen customers deep each.

  The store appeared less chaotic than earlier. I supposed most headed home by now to eat their turkey dinners. Glancing around, I scoped out the best place to start searching for Shane. I squinted my eyes to see through the spaces in the groups of people, not picking him out from the crowd. Any possibility of finding him required me to choose a starting point, so I headed toward the back corner of the store and figured I would work my way back to the front.

  The corner of the store housed all the Christmas decorations, from trees and ornaments, to over-sized stockings and those huge Mickey Mouse snow globes people put in their front yards. Christmas decor came out earlier and earlier these days, this year already starting in October. I slowed my pace as I passed every decorated tree, from the one covered in purples and pinks from the top to the bottom, to the fake Douglas Fir filled with ornaments from every old time movie imaginable. The needles poked me gently as I grazed my hand down the branch.

  "Careful."

  A needle jabbed my hand as I jumped. I shook my hand to ease the pain, and, as I turned around, Shane stood there. He smiled, and reached out for me. I went to grab his hand, until I realized he only intended to point to my wound.