“And what is it you think you can do in just a month, hmm?” June asked.
“In all honesty, I have no clue” I confided. I had called her as soon as I got back to my house after the meeting. I was actually hoping she might be able to give me some ideas.
“So, what made you come up with this ridiculous idea in the first place?”
Rubbing my forehead as I shook my head from side to side I replied “I don’t know. It was kinda out there on the table before I had really thought it through.”
“Sooo, you’re telling me that this entire venture, needless to say your store, is hinging on a plan that you not only made up on the spot, but have no idea how to proceed. Am I correct on this?”
“Yeah, pretty much.”
“ARE YOU NUTS!!!!” She yelled as I pulled the phone away from my ear. “You’ve built that store up for the last 4 years from nothing. It’s your life, and you’re throwing it all away on the slim hope that your friend, who left you 6 years ago, still likes you enough not take to your livelihood, and those around you, away.”
“It’s not like that…” I tried to deny, but she interrupted.
“NO, Allison, it is like that. You are jeopardizing your life and the lives of your friends in an attempt to bring back a friend that doesn’t want to be your friend. It’s stupid, and wrong, and unfair. You’ve just given her the only chance she has at getting that property. Do you really think she’ll let a little thing like past relationships get in the way of that? This woman’s a shark, and she’ll eat you up and spit you out without even breaking a sweat.”
“She’s not like that. Well, at least she wasn’t, and I’ve seen glimpses of the woman I used to know. I know I can reach her if given the chance. If I can reach the old Sarah, she’ll sign the contracts as they are without a second glance.”
“Are you really seeing the old Sarah, or are you only seeing what you want to see? Allison, you’re stuck in the past right now. People change. There is no such thing as the old Sarah, just the Sarah of now. Can’t you see that? You can’t bring her back.”
I knew that a lot of what June was saying was based off anger and jealousy, but I couldn’t help but wonder if she was right. Had it only been a figment of my imagination, my own desires that led me to this point? Maybe it had, but I was stuck now, and therefore had to walk the path I was on, wherever it may lead me.
“You may be right, June, but I have to try. Something in me just has to try.”
“Why!? Why do you have to try? Why can’t you let her go?” This last part was said with much anguish, and it made my heart ache.
“I’m sorry, June” I said sadly. It’s the first time I’ve ever actually said that to her concerning our relationship.
“Yeah, me too” and with that she hung up.
I wanted to call her back so badly, but knew that right now she needed to be by herself. She didn’t need me, or Sarah, intruding on her life right now. However, right now, Sarah was my life, and I couldn’t separate the two. I really wish I could let her go, but I’ve been holding on since we were 16. I wasn’t ready to give that up.
Now, I only had to figure out how I was going to save my store, and the stores around me, while at the same time reconnecting with my first best friend and my new best friend. All while continuing to run my store and handle city council business. This next month was going to be busy. If only I knew where to start.
My phone ringing brought me out of my thoughts. Hoping it was June, I answered quickly. “June?”
“No…, is this Miss Thatcher?”
I vaguely recognized the voice, but couldn’t place it. “Yes, this is Miss Thatcher, though I preferred to be called Allison.”
“Good evening, Miss Thatcher” the voice said, completely ignoring my request. “I’m Jon Howard, Mrs. Kennedy’s assistant. I was told to call you to make arrangements for the next month.”
Now I recognized the voice. This was the guy that had arranged the dinner meeting from hell. “Ah, yes, Mr. Howard. What can I do for you?”
“Well, I need to arrange room and board and there seems to be very little information regarding your local hotels. Mrs. Kennedy will need a place that offers internet service, breakfast, and preferably dinner as well. It must be of the highest quality, and not be rowdy. She requires quiet and solitude. Mrs. Kennedy is also requiring you to provide a list of activities or meetings that will be held this next month. Mrs. Kennedy is a very busy woman, so she will need certain days off this next month for more pressing manners. Do you have a fax number so I can send you her schedule?”
Wow, this guy really needs to take that stick out of his ass, I thought. And then, a brilliant idea popped into my head. Well, it might be brilliant, or it might make my life even more hellish, but it was better than nothing. “Yes, Jon, my business requires that I have a fax machine, so obtaining her schedule will not be a problem. And, it so happens that I know the perfect place where Sar…I mean, Mrs. Kennedy can stay. It has everything she needs.”
“Excellent. If you can give me the information, we can proceed.”
Half an hour later, after hanging up, I was still sitting at my desk, trying to figure out if I’d done the right thing. This could either be a really good thing, or it may bite me in the ass.
Well, whatever happens, I need to go home and straighten things up. I have a guest coming, and she requires accommodations of the highest quality.