“I’ll have Jane and Candace alternate openings. Do you want to alternate closing with anyone?” I do trust all my employees or else they wouldn’t be here. But there’s something special about Karoline.
“Nah, I’m good to close each night. As long as you still let me do my homework.”Thank goodness!
“Of course.” I grin. “As long as you keep the store’s social media account growing and bringing in customers!” I’ve got to keepsomethingsteady in my life now since a man obviously isn’t going to be that.
“Easy as cake.” She feigns blowing me a kiss before walking into the front of the store. I often forget the woman is twenty-one, a whole six years younger than me, because her maturity level and work ethic are off the charts.
“Oh, and Karoline,” I holler after her. I hear her heels clicking as she walks back to my little office tucked here in the back of the store. She pokes her head in.
“Yes?”
“Thank you for everything you do. I couldn’t run this place without you. Especially now that Mary Anne went and moved on us. Southern Grace Boutique needs you, Tease Jewelry needs you, and I need you. Expect an exceptional bonus this coming Christmas.”
“I’m here as long as you’ll keep me,” she says. “You’ve taught me so much that school could never teach. You’re the best boss!”
“I want a mug that proves it,” I jest. “Don’t forget I’m leaving at noon today.” She salutes me, then clicks off towards the front. The girl is odd, but a boutique genius.
My phone buzzes. I pick it up to see the local jail as the caller.
Mama.
Maybe it’s not her. I haven’t seen her in a few weeks, but I never know when she will land herself in jail again.
I don’t need any more bad news.
What’sonemoregallonof spoiled milk to add to the one you already have?
I keep my eyes on the two-lane street as I dig in my purse for a lollipop. The road rumbles beneath my tires as I drive home in silence, contemplating what the best course of action is. If Grandmama were here, she’d tell me to leave my mama’s butt in jail. She’d tell me if I kept bailing her out, my mama would never learn her lesson. If I bailed her out this time, it would be the third time in the span of eight months.
Rose Lynn Dawson is the World’s Worst Mom, but I love her.
Because she’s my mama.
What is it Braxton always says? If you truly love someone, you have to help them see the truth? I don’t like the idea of Mama spending time in jail. I don’t even know what she’s in for this time. Probably alcohol or drug-related.
Maybe she needs to stay locked up a little while this time. I don’t have time to deal with all the complications anyways. I need to pack and get ready to leave tomorrow. She can wait until the road trip is over, and maybe a little time in the slammer for once will do her some good.
So it’s settled.
I push her out of my mind as I pull into my driveway, get out of my car, and make my way to the front door. The strawberry lollipop in my mouth gives me a small boost of joy in the midst of the sour lemons of life. I dig in my purse for my keys.
After finding my keys buried at the bottom of my purse under layers of old receipts, lollipops, and half-used chapsticks, I let myself into the little cottage house my grandmama left me in her will when she passed away two years ago.
Shoot, I left the music on again.
Carrie Underwood sings about cheaters, tire slashing, and fruity drinks through Grandmama’s vintage speakers. Like I needed the reminder…
My phone buzzes in three repetitive vibrations in my pocket as I cut the music off. Braxton. I set the same text pattern on his phone, though he’ll never figure out what it means. My day brightens instantly as I pick the phone out of my back pocket.
Brax:You home yet? Movie night?
“Someone’s bored,” I chuckle aloud to myself. We had so much fun yesterday watching the game and eating tacos. It really helped me to take my mind off of Cheater Daniel. Braxton’s company always spearheads a sense of joy in my life.
Geez, I’ve got to wipe the stupid grin off my face. Even though I’m now single, I CANNOT be smiling at the thought of my best friend.
Why?
Here’s a list:
