I turned the closed sign to open on the front door of my little pottery store. I had a city council meeting with the representatives of the Samson Company in a few hours, but until then, it was business as usual on this Wednesday. I straightened up, tagged new items, did inventory, and helped the few customers that came in. Unfortunately, none of this was distraction enough for me to forget the dinner with Sarah.
After dinner, I had driven to June’s place and in between bouts of weeping had told her everything that had happened. She held me, consoled me, and started cursing Sarah up a storm. She’d already had to bring me back from despair once from Sarah, and now I was beyond despair, wherever that might be. Eventually, she’d calmed me down, made me a cup of tea, and then proceeded to talk some sense into me (I had been mumbling that I couldn’t go on, or something like that. Truthfully, I can’t remember a lot of what I said).
“Listen, Allison…are you listening?” At my nod, she continued. “Alright, now, I want you to repeat after me. My name is Allison Thatcher.”
“My name is Allison Thatcher.”
“I am a confident, beautiful, and successful woman.”
“I am a confident, beautiful, and successful woman,” I repeated dutifully, a blush covering my cheeks. I always blushed when people called me beautiful.
“I have lived these past six years building a life that I am proud of.”
“I have lived these past six years building a life that I am proud of.”
“And I did all of this without Sarah.”
I looked down into my tea, a small, sad smile forming on my lips. I knew what she was getting at, and truthfully, it did make me feel better to say it. “And I did all of this without Sarah.”
“And because I am so grateful for June, I agree to sleep with her tonight,” she finished, a large smile forming on her face.
I just laughed and slapped her on her arm. She knew that I would never agree to that, but it was her way of bringing me out of my doldrums. I believe I already mentioned that no matter the situation, June could make me laugh. However, I couldn’t miss the slight hope in her eyes that maybe, just this once, I would say yes. She’d probably pass out if she knew that I almost did. But as much as I was already using her, I could never cross that line, for I would only be using her more, and afterwards, I would leave. I could never give June what she truly wanted, but sleeping with her would give her the idea that I had. I couldn’t hurt her like that.
After we talked a bit more, I left for home, a lot more lighthearted then before. Unfortunately, the emptiness of my apartment was an uncomfortable reminder that Sarah was still not a part of my life, and maybe never would be again. Saddened, but still remembering June’s words to me, I fell asleep. My dreams were confusing that night, where Sarah’s and June’s faces kept replacing each other. I would be with one, and then the other would be there. Needless to say, it wasn’t a very restful night.
I’m pulled out of my musings with the ringing of my alarm. It was time for the city council meeting.
I should probably give you some background on this meeting and my involvement in it. I am a representative of the small business owners, of which I am included. We hold a lot of sway over the city because we attract lots of tourists, and therefore are the main source of income. I’m still trying to find out how I got coerced into this position, in all truthfulness. I think it was little old Ellen, the bakery owner next door. She was plying me with some of her sweets when she brought up the fact that the old representative had stepped down and they were trying to find someone new. After a little bit of talking, and more sweets, she somehow convinced me that I would be perfect for the job. I’ve been on the city council now for three years, and I highly doubt that I will be let go until I’m old and senile.
The reason for this meeting is simple, yet somewhat complex. We are considered a small, family community, with lots of small business and “mom and pop shops”. We have a small movie theatre, an inn for the tourists, and a grade school and high school. On a good year, our population reaches six hundred. Most people are quite content with this, but the city council got some new blood, and it was decided that we needed to grow. So, in an attempt to do this, we started looking at bringing larger businesses into the city to promote growth. You can imagine the outcry this caused among the small business owners. This is where it gets complicated, because the only way the owners were going to agree is if this larger business did not impede with theirs. Needless to say, it’s taken a year and a half to find the appropriate company that everyone could agree on.
Enter the Samson Company. They’re a retail store, similar to Wal-Mart, but on a smaller scale. The owner, Robert Samson, used his family money to open a couple of stores in smaller communities. The success was enough that he was able to build more in nearby cities. His goal is to start with the rural areas, and then move into more populated zones when he feels he could compete more with the larger retail stores.
So, finally, we are having our first meeting face-to-face in order to hash out the final details. I am proud to say that I have been instrumental in bringing about this meeting, and so it was with a great deal of excitement and trepidation that I took my seat. Sarah and her group were already seated and looking over the documents we had provided. She was the only female in her group, but was the most imposing looking, and the one most obviously in charge. We were offering prime real estate for a reasonable price, plus we were offering to cover half of the building costs. They in return agreed to limit the products they sold so as not to compete with the smaller businesses. There were some other minor details, but I won’t bore you with those (you’re actually probably already asleep. I don’t blame you. I fell asleep during a lot of the contract negotiations as well.)
“Ummm…it looks like everyone is here, so I would like to call this meeting to order. My name is Billy Hoyt. To the right of me are Reverend Thomas Pugh and Allison Thatcher, and to the left is Helena Graham. Uhh….thanks for meeting with us today. This is a real honor to finally meet you.” Billy was a little nervous, and I can’t say as I blame him. He was new to the position of head of the city council, and Sarah’s group in their nice suits and dour expressions were quite imposing. My meeting with Sarah actually helped me, it seems, because I was not as intimidated now as I might have been. Funny how that worked out.
After staring at us a little bit longer, Sarah finally leaned forward with her hand clasped, a position I was all too familiar with from last night. This time she was smiling, though I noticed the smile wasn’t reaching her eyes. “Thank you for the warm reception. We have looked over the documents, and everything seems to be in order.”
She paused for a bit, and we all breathed a sigh of relief. If everything was in order, then the papers could be signed, and we could move on.
"However, we cannot sign this contract."