Page 46 of Sandbar Storm
“It’s a store. I’d say if they want to buy anything from soup to nuts, it’s for sale.” Viv tried to take a light tone. She didn’t want Siena to be so serious, so forlorn over the first day of the store.
“But Mom, this was my best idea for saving the business. Not one suit jacket or scarf. I thought we had this new retail idea, and it would reinvigorate everything. It was my big idea.”
Things that Viv had been noticing, in the background, on the periphery, came into sharp focus. The problem was easy to see now. It was obvious where they had been oblivious.
“Honey, the big idea was my clothing line. And that was decades ago. The time is up for it. It’s not the big idea anymore.”
“What? People love your clothes. You’re a ground-breaking designer. You made career wear for women what it is. I’m so tired of you just giving up on things. You’re fine. The cancer is gone.”
Siena had gone from down in the mouth to actually crying. This isn’t what Viv had intended.
“Honey, this isn’t me giving up. It’s me seeing it, really seeing it. It’s time for me, for us, to close Vivian Blackwood Designs.” The isolated things she’d noticed added up in her mind. Viv tried to sort through them and explain to Siena what was clear. “Honey, listen, it’s coming to me now, exactly the problem. Why I can’t even design what I used to. The need just isn’t there for my designs. Women my age have moved on, and younger women don’t need the stuff.”
“What are you saying younger women aren’t career-minded? That’s ridiculous!”
She tried to explain another way. “No. Okay, look. I took Tag to the doctor today. She was my age, and she loved my designs when she was coming up. When she was interviewing for her big jobs. But she was wearing a t-shirt and tennis shoes in her office today.”
“That’s one person. I don’t get it.”
“Okay, look at someone like Libby. She was, in my mind’s eye, the model for my Power Suits and career separates. She told me she owns one, one complete outfit from me these days, and that’s because she’s sentimental about it. We’ve been here weeks and in business settings, right? Think about it, she’s powerful and in the prime of her career, but she walks around in blouses, sweatshirt material skirts, and even jeans. She’s wearing a lot more casual than I ever would have imagined for my avatar career woman. She’s in charge, and she’s wearing what she wants.”
“I think I sort of see what you’re saying…”
“I’m saying the career women who made my brand are my age. They’re in their fifties. They want something new. They’ve got what they need from me, or they’re starting to work from home or change careers or become grandmas. They do not want baby spit on their Vivian Blackwood sheath dress.”
“Mom, what are we going to do? How can we save all you’ve worked for?”
“Honey, I love you for all you’ve done to keep it going in the last year. But it’s time to stop. It’s run its course. It’s time to close up Vivian Blackwood Designs. Financially, we’re just fine. Thanks to Daddy’s smart decisions with the investments, we are set. I don’t need much to live on, and your college is paid for. It’s okay.”
Siena's shoulders slumped, but she seemed calmer, like she was accepting the reality, and it wasn’t terrifying. It was just a change.
“Mom, we’re committed to that retail space. I promised Aunt Libby. I want something to work there. I just, ugh. What a mess.”
“Well, you did make sales. The décor and the painting. What if—”
Before she could finish her question, Siena cut her off. “—What if we pivot. What if I stock it with home décor?”
“Right, and this is a resort town. They don’t want business casual; they want casual casual. You get it?”
“I see that. I’m also thinking how dumb I was not to see it right away.”
“You have an eye for merchandising and a degree for it. Use it to break away from my stuff.”
“I love your stuff.”
“Honey, it’s time foryourdream. Don’t worry about my dreams. Okay?”
“Okay.”
Viv hugged her daughter. She looked at Siena’s pretty face, so much like Goldie’s. Viv noticed that the frown line on Siena’s forehead smoothed out as the new idea blossomed.
“There, okay, I’ll call your dad, and we’ll see what needs to be done to close up, liquidate, whatever we need to do.”
“Oh, you know what did sell out of yours?”
“I thought you said nothing?”
“I forgot. The kaftans, we sold every single one, and I have a list of a dozen women who wonder if you’ll be making more.”
