“I can do that. Can I think about it for a couple of days? When I leave here, I have to go home and pack, and it’s not something I’m looking forward to.”
“You’re moving?”
“Yes.” Gypsy sighed. “You know Mick’s in the Marines, right?”
“No, I didn’t know that.”
“Yes. Mick’s reign completely ends in eighteen months, but he received word that he’s being deployed in two weeks. We have a small house off base, but we decided to move me next door above the bike shop. We’re already paying the mortgage on the place and the utilities for downstairs. With me moving in upstairs, we can save that much more without paying for the rent and utilities on our current home. If I decide to take the job you’re offering, I’ll be right next door, so I won’t have to worry about commuting so we can save money there, too.”
Willow got up and went over to the small table she used as a desk and wrote on a scrap of paper. She came back and handed it to Gypsy. “That’s what I’m willingto pay you weekly. With all travel expenses. The only thing I can’t offer is health insurance.”
“That’s okay. I have good health insurance from Mick. I’m not going to look at this until I go home and talk with Mick. He’s been on forty-eight-hour lockdown, but he should be home tonight, then he’s off for seventy-two hours. We’re hoping to have the house packed up and moved in here in that time.”
“Do you need any help?”
“Thanks, but it’s pretty much done. The guys are bringing their trucks over to load, so we don’t have to rent a truck. I hope you don’t mind that I might camp out on your couch a couple days a week. The only thing I hate about Mick’s deployment is the loneliness at night. I’m good during the day, it’s just the nights that bother me. Takes me a few weeks to get adjusted to sleeping alone again.”
“You’re more than welcome, but don’t think you have to use my couch. You can use one of the bedrooms. My room is on the third floor, and Christopher uses the green room. You’re more than welcome to use any of the other ones and then you can be that much closer to work.” Willow grinned.
“But take your time, get moved and think and talk it over with Mick. If you don’t take the job, I understand. But I hope you do.”
“Where would I be traveling to?”
“Mostly Seattle, that’s where Trish is based out of. I’ll send her an e-mail explaining why I’m hiring you and tell or stress to her that you are not replacing her. You’re helping me on this end. In the long run, that will help her also.”
“I’m like the go-between with the two of you. I organize your personal life, and she does your professional.”
“Sort of, let’s just say that you’re organizing the production end of my life and she’s organizing the retail part. But I’d like you to meet with Trish and talk with her personally. I’m not being a bitch about not doing it myself, but as you can see...” She held up the folder with the orders and moved her arm around to indicate all the product that needed to go into the kilns and then what had to be boxed up and shipped out.
“I understand. I’ll think it over and talk it over with Mick. But I’m about eighty percent in favor of taking the job right now.” She stood and hugged Willow and on her way out to her car felt like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She couldn’t wait to get home and talk to her husband. She pulled into the driveway and made her way to her front door. She was so lost in thought she didn’t see the truck already parked in the street.
Gypsy unlocked her front door and screamed when she saw a someone standing there, looming in the shadows.
“Gypsy! It’s me, babe.” A light flicked on, and Mick grinned at his wife.
“Son of a bitch, Mick, you scared the shit out of me.” She didn’t know if she should slug him or hug him. She laughed and did both. With her arms wrapped around his neck, she kissed him then placed her head on his chest. “I thought you weren’t going to be released until seven.”
“I was. It’s after eight now. I was just getting ready to go search for you. You haven’t been answering your phone. I was getting worried.”
“Sorry.” She sighed and took his hand, and they went into the living room. “I turned my phone off after work. I’ve had such a messed-up day.”
“Let me order a pizza, and then you can tell me all about it. But first, I want to say thank you for all the packing you’ve done. I see you’ve only left last minute items out and enough clothes for a couple of days. Before you tell me about your day, let me order that pizza.” He did and then went and got them both a glass of wine. He joined her on the couch, picked up her legs and after he removed her shoes, he began massaging her feet.
“Oh, that feels so good. I’m going to miss this when you’re gone.”
“I know, and I’m sorry. I’ll be back before you know it. I just want to make sure you’re going to be okay with being alone above the bike shop.”
“I’ll be fine. When I got off work tonight, I went and talked to Willow, told her what we were doing and she said I could stay in one of her guest rooms if the loneliness bothers me at night. But first, I have to tell you about my day.” She sighed and sipped her wine. Looking him directly in the eye she said, “I was laid off today.”
“What!?” Mick jumped to his feet and began pacing. “Why the hell for? You’ve been there for ten years and organize everyone’s lives there. How could they let you go?”
“Calm down Mick. I was pissed, and all I wanted to do was drown my sorrows in wine. I knew youweren’t going to be home, and I also knew Willow doesn’t drink, so I went there knowing I wouldn’t have any alcohol to drown in. But something happened.”
“What?” Mick sat back down and began rubbing her feet again.
“First, we’re moving me into the apartment above the shop to save money, right? We pay the mortgage and utilities there, and here is the rent and utilities, so we’ll save money without this place. Second, Willow offered me a job. I know you know that she makes pottery. What you don’t know, and I didn’t until she began discussing the job she’s offering, is that she’s swamped. Like five hundred orders a week she needs to fill.”
“Really? I never knew.”
