Page 64 of This Baby Business
For her part, it was kind of cute the way Grace seemed to understand the words and actually tried to respond at times. And even if her only response was in the form ofda-da,ba-ba,ta-taandpfft, I couldn’t help thinking she was really trying to communicate, going by the earnest look in her bright and intelligent blue eyes.
The interview with Jenny had been set for three o’clock. By the time Jill arrived to watch Grace while I conducted the interview, I’d worked myself up into a small panic.
Jill bounced Grace on her knee. “This is the most anxious I’ve seen you since you got back from New York. You were a mess then.”
“What? I look like a mess? Why? Where?” I ran to the bathroom mirror to check.
Nope. Still professional. Not a hair out of place.
My past failures do not mean I’ll have future failures. This is different. Mom’s company.
“Chill. I didn’t say youlookedlike a mess.” Jill rolled her eyes. “You’re going to do fine. That’s a cute outfit. Love the boots. You’re rocking it. Yada yada yada.”
“I know, I know.”
“Da-da, ta-da,” Grace said loudly, as if she, too, wanted to add her support.
“So what do you think she wants to talk to you about?”
“I have no idea, but it’s my job to take the initiative and find a way to bring up and pitch RockYourBaby. Maybe she’ll know some people who might be interested in buying.” I twirled and stuck my arms out. “Do I look okay?”
“The pearls might be overkill,” Jill said. “You’re not Donna Reed. That was your mother’s look. You’re the young, hip version of RockYourBaby. Lose the pearls.”
“Really?” I fingered the soft, smooth pearls.
Jill lifted a shoulder. “Without them, you’ve got the whole California hipster look going on. But your choice.”
It was just one opportunity, one networking contact, maybe even the first of many. Why was I so nervous? Answer: I couldn’t blow this. I brought the company back from the brink of bankruptcy and into something profitable and desirable again. Worthy. And Jenny had noticed. Why else would she have called me?
Once Jill and Grace were out the door for a walk around the neighborhood, I sat in front of my laptop and signed in to my Skype account. Then I simply waited. I removed the pearls. Then put them on again. Took them off. I drummed my fingers and practiced my smile. It looked frozen on my face, so I tried for a more even look that didn’t make me look so eager, or quite so desperate. I rubbed my ring for good luck. Then stilled my fingers and concentrated on my breathing. Even. Slow.
I’ve got this.
When the Skype call rang, I was ready for it. This was the time. My moment to shine and sell, sell, sell RockYourBaby! I’d never been more prepared or in a better place. I pressed to accept the incoming call, prepared to smile. And my laptop died. Apparently my battery had run out of juice, and I’d literally hung up on Jenny.
“No! No! I didn’t mean to hang up.” I nearly tripped over my own feet doing it, but I managed to plug my cord in and power up.
I quickly pressed Call Back, and Jenny’s face appeared. Speaking of smooth and professional, Jenny had always had the countenance of a clear, placid lake. Clear green eyes filled with warmth. Short, raven-black hair in a perfectly straight bob. I, on the other hand, felt like the ocean during a hurricane, and thought I might have just suffered a small stroke.
“Hello? I’m so sorry about that,” I said, trying to smile. “I lost you.”
“No worries. We can’t always rely on the best communication because of spotty Wi-Fi.”
Yes.Let that be it and not that I’d neglected to check that my battery was fully charged.
“I’m so glad to see you again! You look great,” Jenny said. “And I was so sorry to hear about your mom.”
“Thank you.”
The best parts of New York were coming back to me, including talented and sweet people like Jenny. I had envied Jenny’s talent and confidence, and her fashion poise. But one thing about Jenny was that she’d never let any of her success at school go to her head.
“Fashionista Baby was pure marketing genius. I’m in awe.”
I cleared my throat.Accidental marketing genius.
“Oh, yes. Thank you. So much time and effort went into that one.”
Lie number four hundred and twenty.
