“Go get me some more pie before I fire you,” I quip.
“Would you? Could you? Pretty please?” She presses her palms into a prayer formation as if she’s begging me to fire her.
I can’t help but laugh to myself. When Owens first came to be my assistant, she was a walking disaster. She was quiet, timid, unorganized, and unconfident. I was tough on her at first because I knew that everyone in my world would be ten times tougher on her. Through trial and error, and a bit of tough love, slowly she began to learn. Now she’s a hard worker, fearless in negotiation, and she can totally hold her own with anyone who comes before her—including me.
She’s so spoiled.
“As if you’deverleave me.”
Chapter Nine
URSULA
I’m not a huge coffee drinker, but not everyone can say that they receive free coffee for life from Dunkin’ Donuts (one of the perks of my job), so today I’m ordering a medium sized vanilla iced coffee. To heck with the calories. I’m celebrating. Today, I’m finally going to say what I need to say to Coop. The awards are over. The open house plans are tight. It’s time to tell him.
It’s the fifth of the month and this is the day Coop sets aside, when his schedule permits, to stop by his Dunkin’ Donuts franchise near Coney Island in Brooklyn. He discreetly looks around, takes pics with fans if they recognize him, and then briefly goes over the sales figures with the manager. It’s my job to examine the cleanliness of the counter area, the back office, and to check in with employees.
When he first opened the franchise, the area was in a time of heavy transition. Not a lot of developers could see the vision or wanted to take the risk investing in the decaying neighborhood, but Coop could see the potential. Now he owns a good chunk of prime property along the city’s revitalized ocean front area.
“How are things here?” I ask one of my favorite shift supervisors. She’s a young, single mother who seems to love it here. “I think you were having trouble with that one girl on the evening shift.”
“That girl is still a raging bitch, but thankfully I don’t see her much. I work days, and Bobby puts her on nights.”
“I’m not sure that’s a permanent solution though.”
“Why not?”
“Well if you want to be considered for management at some point, you’re going to have to learn how to deal with difficult personalities.”
“Mmm, I guess that’s true but—”
“I’m telling you this, because I want to see you succeed.”
“I know but—”
“You have to imagine what that girl’s worst case scenario could be. What could she be working through in her life? Now imagine she has to deal with all of that and still come to work every day.”
“I didn’t think of it that way.”
“We all have our burdens to bear right?”
“I guess so. I’m not sure what yours would be, but I guess so.”
“Trust me. I have my issues too. We all do.”
“So basically, you’re saying be flexible.”
“Exactly … if Bobby has to continually consider your issues when he’s making the work schedule for the week, is he likely to recommend you for the next management spot?”
“Wow, I definitely didn’t think about it like that. I’m so glad Mr. Barnes asks you to check in with us. You’re awesome, Ursula. You see things in a way that I would have never considered.”
“You’re so welcome. I only want to help.”
“Extra whipped cream for you today, girl.”
“Whoop! Whoop!”
Since Coop gave Tito the day off, after we’re finished at the store, we jump in an Uber to head to Coop’s office building in Manhattan near the entrance to the Brooklyn Bridge. I decide that this is the perfect opportunity to tell him.
