“Thanks,” said Mike.
Hazel tried not to notice the cold stare Tracy gave her and left, determined not to let anyone ruin her new job.
Though some degree of organization had been set up, Hazel found holes in those attempts.She discovered she loved the challenge of being in charge, overseeing the operation as one big whole instead of individual offerings, and smoothing arrangements so that everyone could easily see what was happening throughout the Center.
When Hazel’s last day at school arrived, she stood with the other teachers waving off their students.Some of the teachers had tears in their eyes.Hazel, like others, beamed at the idea of having a break from the draining schedule of teaching.
Misty wrapped an arm across her shoulder.“Guess this is it for you.”
“It’s going to be a busy summer, for sure.”
“Have you told your mother about your new job?”asked Misty.
Hazel shook her head.“It hasn’t come up, and I didn’t want to say anything until I was officially on duty.But I owe her a phone call, and I’ll tell her then.How about you?Are you enjoying working at the landscaping company?”
“Yes, though I don’t see David much at all except in the evenings when he comes home from work.His mother is a delight, and I often wonder if this is what it must be like to have a real mother.”
“Everyone knows she adores you,” said Hazel.She knew her mother loved her, but they had very different ideas about what was important in life.Elliott Gladstone was part of that problematic situation.Her mother and his had planned for them to marry when they were just toddlers.They’d dated, but Hazel was very aware that he had no interest in her or any other woman.Their mothers, however, didn’t have a clue.
Hazel and Misty hugged, and then Hazel went home to change into a pair of jeans and a red Sports Center T-shirt.On some people, they might look ordinary, but on Hazel’s long shapely legs, the jeans looked especially attractive, and the T-shirt showed off her full breasts without being too obvious.
Mike and Ross were taking her to dinner at the Lilac Lake café.
###
When she walked into the café, Hazel saw Mike and Ross sitting at a table outside with another man.
Ross saw her and waved her over.
Hazel approached the table, studyingthe slim, nice-looking, brown-haired man wearing glasses, gesturing to Mike as he spoke.
All three men stood as she approached and settled into her chair.
“Hello,” Hazel said, smiling at the three of them.
“Hazel, I’d like you to meet Craig Evans, our financial manager,” said Ross.“He’s just moved here from Boston.Craig, this is Hazel Belmont, the woman who’s going to keep us organized.You two may want to set up some individual meetings to see how you can work together.”
“Craig’s a whiz at keeping track of the many filings we must do and catching spots where we can improve,” said Mike.
“Do you give advice like a consultant?”Hazel asked Craig.
“I try to comment when I see things that need to be addressed,” he said.“Things like pricing for classes and lessons.Where they might be increased or decreased for better participation.”
“I like that.I have questions to ask you.For instance, I noticed the Center doesn’t have a retail outlet where tennis rackets and gear, baseball mitts, and such can be sold.I bet the Concord sports store, Access Sports, might be interested in making a deal with the Center to sell things at the Center, with us getting a portion of the sales.Something like that.”
All three men smiled at her.
Craig chuckled.“No wonder Ross and Mike are so pleased to have you on board.Great idea.”
“There are ways to increase sales and participation at all times of the year by cooperating with the Inn for workout weekends and the like,” said Hazel.“I worked with a non-profit one summer, and there are all kinds of ways to make do through cooperative efforts.”
“When I checked your references, the praise for your work was outstanding,” said Ross.“Now, I see why.”
He glanced at Mike.
“Yes, I think it’s going to work out just fine,” Mike said.
Hazel warmed to their praise, feeling she’d made the right choice by leaving teaching.She’d already decided she’d get her taste of being with kids by helping out at some of the summer camps they were offering.
