Page 13 of Finding Ash
“Just how much I really like it here. Like, I finally found my place.”
“I know the feeling,” he wound our fingers together. “In more ways than one.”
Chapter Six
McClain
Grand opening day.
Was I really ready for this?
Too late to turn back now.
I’d not slept a wink last night, double and triple checking spreadsheets and checklists and mental checklists and…my mind was a garbled mess.
Deep breath, McClain, you’ve got this.
Wish I felt what my brain tried to assure me of—repeatedly.
Front freezers were stocked, the new candy displays filled, and the menu on the wall covered the dozen flavors I offered. Foggy Creamery was ready for business. Hopefully my lifelong dream to open an ice cream parlor didn’t crash and burn.
I wish Sammy was here. He’d know what to say to calm my nerves.
Window by window I peeled away the paper, revealing the magic I’d woven inside to the public. With each window a handful of faces appeared, wildly waving and smiling back at me.
“Good lord, the line is down the street.” A giddiness rushed through me as I saw what appeared to be half of Foggy Basin waiting for the doors to open.
Waiting to sample my treats.
Now my worries went from fear of no one coming to how in the hell will I handle this massive crowd? Did I have enough ice cream? What if I ran out?
Running out is a good thing, McClain.
Sammy was always my voice of reason.
I wish you were here, my love.
I’m always with you. Never forget that. Now open the doors and welcome your new neighbors inside.
I wasn’t foolish enough to believe Sammy truly spoke to me, but hearing his voice soothed my soul.
I flung open the door as I unlocked it and announced, “Welcome to Foggy Creamery!” A round of applause and whistles filled the air as newfound vigor flowed through me. I nearly danced my way behind the counter to serve my first customer.
As I filled each order, my mind ran wild with ways to improve and engage with the customers. A fun game came to mind where they could suggest a new flavor, and I would pick a winner once a month, providing the suggestion wasn’t wildly outlandish. Doritos and pickles would not make for an ideal ice cream flavor. But the winner would get a free two-scoop cone or cup and their name and picture on the wall for the month their new flavor was premiered.
This was wonderful and overwhelming at the same time. Each patron introduced themselves to me, some even shared if they owned a nearby business or what they did for a living. Lord, I hoped there wasn’t a pop quiz at the end of the day because I’d surely fail. But as each of them engaged with me, I felt noticed and accepted, and all doubts and worries faded away.
Neighbors chatted with one another as they waited their turn. No one was cross or hollering for me to hurry up.The air was light, though the place was packed with smiling faces. Thank the lactose loving gods for that because it was gonna take forever to get through this lot.
“Hey, can we help you out?” Two adorable young men peeked around the counter at me. “I’m Remy and this is my boyfriend Ash.”
“Help would be amazing. I’m McClain, by the way. Wash your hands in the sink there and behind the swinging door you’ll find a couple of clean aprons hanging on a hook. Disposable gloves are in the box on the wall. Suit up and know you’re my two favorite people now.” They smiled and blushed. These boys were a godsend for sure.
Or maybe a Sammy send…
I gave them a quick rundown of the POS system, very thankful I’d opted for the simplified iPad version. Modern day technology was quickly absorbed by Gen Z like it was part of their DNA, and soon we were back to serving the fine folks of Foggy Basin.
“You make all this ice cream yourself, or did you order it in?” Merle asked, licking his cone as I rang him up.
