Page 60 of Dream a Little Dream

We shared a smile that seemed to say we were actually on the same page. I’d never experienced that kind of shorthand with someone,nor the kind of physical synchronicity matched with a true emotional connection.

“I better go,” I said softly.

“Are you going to tell them what you found out?”

I paused, bag on my shoulder, sack lunch in hand. “I think I have to.” I shrugged. “They’re family and I owe them that much.”

* * *

There are moments in time that I don’t want to relive, and telling my employees that Festive Foods would no longer exist as we knew it was one of those times. I’d gathered everyone in the break room twenty minutes before opening, and took a breath as five sweet souls looked back at me with smiles on their faces. This really was such a friendly place to work, a testament to how much we all loved each other and the store.

“I probably don’t have clearance to share this piece of information with you, but Mr. Faber informed me recently that he’s selling Festive Foods.”

Maya did something I hadn’t expected. She touched her stomach, but not in a casual way. She touched her stomach in a protective sense, the way a mother would.

“Maya,” I whispered and looked down at her hand.

Her eyes went wide and she dropped her hand. “Not the way I wanted to tell you. But yes.” She looked at the others, who had all blossomed into warm smiles. “We’re expecting this little one next summer. So I guess I’m wondering if I’ll have health care. Or a job.”

I swallowed as guilt descended. Maya was one of four full-time employees along with Buster, Henrietta, and myself. The rest were part-timers who filled in the gaps. Could we use more help? Sure, but Faber shot down my proposal to hire more staff a year ago.

“Congratulations!” I said enthusiastically.

Henrietta had already pulled her into a motherly hug, and the rest of the group looked like they were torn between being happy for Maya and concerned for their jobs.

“I wish I had more answers for you,” I said to the group, though my eyes were on Maya, who I was now incredibly worried about. “I promise to do everything in my power to advocate for you with whoever the buyer is.”

“Do you know who?” Henrietta asked. She held her hands together in a pose I recognized. Her nervous stance.

I hadn’t planned on divulging anything yet. It wasn’t what a good leader would do.

“Come on, Savanna. You know something. I can tell. You’re biting the inside of your cheek. It’s what you always do when you have a secret.”

I instantly stopped the biting. “There’s a rumor, but I have no way to verify its authenticity.”

“What’s the rumor, boss? We got you. No one’s holding you to what you say.”

“It’s possible BeLeaf Foods is in the mix.”

There was an audible gasp from Maya. “I love BeLeaf. Oh, my God. Yes. That means they’re not going to bulldoze the place.”

I held up my hand to slow her down. “I know. I know. Just rumor. But I can hope.”

I had to admit, the enthusiastic grins of my employees relieved some of my concern. They seemed legitimately happy about the BeLeaf prospect, and that counted for something with me. I smiled right along with them.

“So, if this place stays a grocery store, they’re gonna need people to work in it,” said Faison, my favorite part-timer.

Henrietta nodded. “And with no Faber in the way, Savanna can do her job.”

Faison smacked the table. “That sounds badass to me.”

I didn’t feel the need to point out that BeLeaf would likely install their own store manager, because I didn’t want to kill their joy. No, it was best I quietly prepare myself for whatever came my way and be grateful for the time I’d been given at Festive Foods. If my staff was taken care of, I’d be just fine.

With the meeting behind me and having gone so well, I dove into my day, tackling one project after another until I found myself turning onto aisle eight and coming face-to-face with Charlie Kielbasa.

“Oh. Hey, Charlie.” I shifted my weight from one foot to the other.

His eyes brushed the ground before settling back on me. The friendly vibe that always accompanied him was noticeably absent today. “I guess I’m supposed to say hi and make small talk, but the truth is I don’t really want to.”

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