Page 2 of Wildly Yours
There is no one in the store so we step into my office, which barely accommodates my desk and two chairs.
“What’s up?”
“I need to…I have to…” Hadley finally looks at me through a lock of golden hair that fell in her face. “I’m putting in my two-week notice.”
Gut punch. She’s my best employee, and it’s about to get really busy for the next several months. This time of year is our busiest, which makes campaigning that much harder. I have to be at the store everyday to handle the foot traffic and make sure things are running smoothly.
“Okay. Can I ask why?”
She chews on her bottom lip as her eyebrows screw up in concern.
“I just…I’ve been here for two years and… I feel like you don’t trust me.”
Right hook. My head is spinning. Two cobwebs in the corner. Four AAA batteries on my desk. One deep breath.
“But, I do trust you. Of course I trust you.”
“Then why won’t you give me more responsibility? Why do you always check my work? Why can’t I complete a project on my own? I’ve been here for two years!”
Her cheeks are red and her eyes are brimming with tears.
“I don’t…oh Hadley.” I try to squeeze her shoulder but she pulls away.
“I’m sorry, Serena, but I can’t do this. I can’t stay. I don’t know what I did to make you feel like I can’t work independently, but I don’t want to deal with it anymore. I’ll finish my schedule for the rest of the month and then I’m gone.”
“Is there anything I can do or say to change your mind?”
“Too late. I already got another job.”
One dusty apron hanging on the hook. One more deep breath.
“I wish you would have said something earlier.”
“You mean like asking to close the store on my own? Or asking to do inventory? Or trying to bring in a new vendor? I did. You always found a way to look over my shoulder or do the workyourself. If you don’t start trusting people, you’re going to wake up one day and there won’t be anyone’s shoulder left to look over.”
Ouch.
I watch her walk back onto the sales floor and I slump into my chair.
Three spots on my computer monitor.
I let her simmer down while I busy myself in the office for a little longer, trying not to look out the window to monitor her work. How often have I done that reflexively?
The cobwebs are now gone and my monitor is wiped clean so I step out to meet the people who just bought the old Clancy house.
The Santiagos are classic city folks who looked for an escape and took it when they found the Victorian down the street. He’s in tech, she’s a freelance book editor. I make sure she knows about the new writers group my friend Zoe is starting at the bookstore she bought last fall. There’s no shortage of retirees in Owl Creek who want to write a book before they die.
Mrs. Santiago asks me about the library and I feel my skin prick in alert. The guy who is running against me this election cycle has taken it upon himself to trash the work I did to save our library. He’s been making it one of his key talking points and more than once I’ve had to correct people on the facts of what happened. I take in a calming breath, hold for one beat, and answer her questions.
I sigh in relief when it seems she is on my side. And the thing I hate the most about this election cycle is that there is even a side to take on something that the community wanted.
Chapter Two: Cody
My first instinct is to shake Mr. Miller until he comes to his senses. And that is what bothers me the most—my quick temper.
I don’t want him to feel bad for being in this situation, and I don’t want him to feel threatened as I loom over his aging frame. But I’ve got to do something. His situation is ruining two years of research I’ve been doing, and my grant funder is asking for some updates that are now in jeopardy.
I pull off my hat and tuck it away, then stuff my hands in my pockets and take a step back before I open my mouth. I need to give him some space and make myself less threatening. Big men like me are intimidating just because of our size. I know this, but it's hard to get my body to comply when it's brimming with frustration.
