On my way into the city, I stop at the General Store.
"Hey, old man, how's it going?" I say to Mike, the owner of the store, who's out front, laying his fruit and vegetable boxes ready for opening time.
"Ashton, my boy. It's been a while. How's business?"
"Steady, but I need to raise some funds."
He laughs and scratches his bald head.
"Don't we all, son. Don't we all."
I've known Mike since I was a young boy, helping my dad with the business. My first paying job was as a summer checkout temp at the General Store. To this day, I don't know how Mike didn't fire clumsy, pimply, scrawny fifteen-year-old Ash the first week.
"Mike, I'm sitting on a great crop of apples this season, but I'm struggling to sell enough of them at the market. I know you have your usual suppliers, but I wondered if you'd be interested."
"Have you got a sample?"
"Sure, follow me." I take him over to The Duchess, where I already have a few extra crates of apples on the off chance he does want to buy them.
Mike picks a few different apples, inspecting their size and color, and then takes a bite of one.
"These are very good, Ash. If I take them off your hands, have you got enough to keep me supplied throughout the season?"
"I do," I say with confidence. With the income from supplying my apples to Mike, I can make sure the farmhands are paid on time and I'll hire more if needed.
Mike stretches his hand out, and I shake it.
"I guess we're in business. Can I keep these three boxes?" he asks.
"You sure can. Give me a call when you're out, and I'll drop some more."
I unload the boxes into Mike's storeroom and see his wife Beth pricing some items.
"Oh, hey, Beth," I say.
She comes over and gives me a hug. "Oh my goodness, Ash. How are you?" she asks as she looks me up and down. "Jesus, honey, you look like death warmed up. Are you feeling okay?"
"Yeah, just a little tired. You know how it goes this time of year. There's always something to do."
She nods knowingly. Before they bought the General Store years ago, both Mike and Beth worked on the farm adjacent to my parents'.
"Let me sort you out with a coffee to go and some cookies."
"Thanks, Beth, you're the best."
With my first job of the day complete, I go back to the Duchess and drive into the city. I'll need to be quick because I'm already a little late for the unloading time slot at the market, but nothing can ruin my good mood now.
Supplying my apples to Mike takes a big weight off my back when it comes to paying the farmhands. I can only hope what I sell at the market is enough to pay the bank.
When I park by my stall, Nicki comes running to me.
"Oh my god, Ash, where have you been? I have the best news."
"I had an errand to run. Help me unload? I have cookies," I say, holding the bag up.
We unload The Duchess, and then I park it in my usual spot on a side street away from the market. By the time I'm back, customers are already starting to come through, so I work on setting up the stall.
I can see Nicki is dying to tell me her news because she's like one of those bouncing balls that won't stop.
