Page 152 of Fervency Love

We slip back under the duvet and fall asleep, embracing.

Chapter 76

Abby

The next day is great too. The interior is starting to resemble a store: the merchandise is already hanging in its place. The grand opening is on Saturday, but I have to be at school then. So many new things. New school, new job. New people. I’m a tad excited. Mandy has prepared a preliminary schedule, taking my college into account. Classes are on the weekend every other week. I have the weekend off from work, so from Monday to Friday, I work almost every day for nearly twelve hours. I only have the Wednesday off.

The university is great. People are of different ages—I didn’t expect that. Jack, who likes to be called Silver, and Mary are probably my parents’ age, but they’re awesome. I quickly found common ground with the coolest people. There are also a few stars from entertainment shows. Wow, that’s so cool. I’m thrilled like a kid. The world of film has always fascinated me, especially behind the scenes. I dream of getting on the set of a real film production someday. Preferably as a writer, director, and actor—all in one. I’ll do it. I feel it in my bones.

When I’m laughing with friends during the break, my phone rings. It’s from work.

“Hello?”

“Abbs, it’s Mandy. Listen, I know you’re at school, but it’s so busy here, and we can’t handle it. Could you come?”

I’m surprised by this request. I think for a moment.

“Mandy, I’ll call you back; give me a moment to think.”

“Sure, thanks. I’ll wait for your call.”

“Silver, I have to go; they’re calling me to work. I have a favor: could you sign me on the attendance list?”

“Sure thing, kiddo. No problem.” I kiss him on the cheek and rush out of the university.

In the car, I dial Mandy’s number, but she doesn’t answer. Maybe they’re really busy. She calls me back when I’m close.

“Hey, what’s the verdict?” she asks.

“I’ll be there in ten.”

“Damn, Abbs, you’re awesome!” she exclaims and hangs up.

There are so many cars at the car park that it’s hard to find a spot.

I run through the crowded mall, constantly bumping into people. While running, I also call Ve, but he doesn’t answer, so I send him a message:

Honey, they called me to work from school, so I don’t know what time I’ll be back, kisses!

I toss the phone into my bag.

When I enter the store, I can barely see Mandy. She’s at the cash register, but the queue stretches across the entire store. The same goes for the fitting room.

I approach her, and she says to Larry, “Please, quickly bring her up to speed and let her stand in the fitting room.”

“Hey, Abbs, it’s great that you’re here.” He greets me with a cheek kiss, surprising me completely. Perhaps he notices my confusion because he quickly adds: “Sorry, that’s custom. We all greet each other this way. You might not have known.”

“Yeah, I didn’t have a chance…” I say, wondering if I want to get so familiar with people at work. It’s different at university. No one forces it there—people are just nice, and I treat them like good friends. But this is work. I’m also not sure if Ve would be happy. I’ll tell him, and we’ll see.

“Okay, so you’ll stand by the fitting room. The rules are simple. You choose a fitting room, quickly check it. If there are no clips, hangers, and so on, then you take things from the customer, count them, hang them up, and give them a number.”

I nod in understanding.

“If the customer asks for a different size, call someone from the store. They’ll look for what you need and bring it to you. Then you give the customer the replacement. When the customer leaves, ask how things are, if they’re taking anything, what to take off their hands, and count the clothes returned. Hang them on the rack next to you. Someone else will occasionally clear the rack, putting things back in the store. Everything clear?”

“Yes.”

“Then switch places with Kathy.”