“Wouldn’t I have to pay him, though?”
He shrugs. “I did his alignment last year for half price. He owes me one.”
I break into a wide smile. “That would be awesome!”
“I can call him later. Just text me the date and time and stuff.”
I nod, grinning, and reach for my to-do list. Live music wasn’t on there (I hadn’t even though of that), but now I add it, just so I can check it off.
Live music—check!
“You think this thing has a double letter in it?” John asks, holding up his phone.
I open my mouth to say no, then I pause.
A double letter. A doubleT.
T, R, Y, S, T.
TRYST.
I type it in, click enter, and one by one, the letters turn green. Three hundred and eight days!
I beam at John. “I think it does.”
After work, I head to the store to buy groceries for Mrs. Finnamore, Jim, and Doris. While I’m waiting in line, I take out my phone and text Fallon.
[5:42]: Hey girl! I need to pick your brain on something. Any advice on how to plan events? I’m organizing this summer barbecue thing at a local museum and I want to make sure it goes well. You have to plan a lot of events for your stores, yeah?
I’m not expecting her to text back right away, so I’m surprised when three dots appear almost instantly.
[5:43]Fallon:Omg that’s too funny, I was just about to text you!
[5:43]Fallon:I’m going to send you a post to share on all your social
[5:43]Fallon:New promo launching on the website next week
I shift uncomfortably on my feet. Fallon asks me to do stuff like this every now and then. And obviously I want to support her, but it always feels kind of weird. I basically never post anything on any of my social media accounts, which means that 90 percent of what’s on there is just ads for Fallon’s business. I’m pretty sure Instagram thinks I’m a bot.
But I guess I shouldn’t complain. If I ever have a business, I’ll probably be asking her to do the same thing.
[5:44]: Of course! Just send me what you need me to post.
[5:44]Fallon:Ahhh you rock girl
[5:44]Fallon:Sending now!
Sure enough, seconds later a notification pops up for my Facebook and Instagram. (And yes, I know, no one under the age of sixty actually uses Facebook anymore. I only have it so I can see all the pictures from my parents’ trips.) I obediently repost what Fallon’s sent me.
[5:46]: Done!
[5:47]Fallon:Amazing... thank youuu
The line ahead of me inches forward. The teenager working the checkout line must be new. I swear it’s taking her five minutes to scan each item.
[5:50]: So, any advice on planning events? I’m mostly wondering how much food I should buy. I don’t want to run out, but I think I’d rather that than buy too much...
[5:52]Fallon:Hmm dunno girl
