Authors: JEAN AVERY BROWN
“Ms. Ella, are you coming?” Juan called back.
“I’ll be right behind you.” Ella said as she looked back at the store and all they had accomplished over the past few weeks.
NINETEEN
The alarm rang at six am….. Monday morning already. Ella thought. I’m on a schedule. I haven’t been on a schedule since I stepped off the corporate ladder. Ella said kicking the heavy blankets off she shivered from the cold. “Brrrr, it’s cold in here.” She said aloud. The temperature must have dropped last night. Ella opened the heavy drapes to see Jack Frost had made a visit while she was sleeping. She grabbed her robe quickly making her way to the bathroom. She gave the hot water faucet in the shower a twist and held her hand under the water watching it dance on her hands until the cold watered turn to hot. She adjusted the water temperature and and quickly dropped her robe and jumped in the warm soothing water.
Ella, slipped on a pair of jeans with a soft blue silk blouse. Again she wore black boots and a matching belt. She pulled her hair in a twist , held with a black clip. Strands of her blonde hair framed her pretty face.
Ella heard Maria scurrying around in the kitchen. A hot breakfast sounds good on a cold morning. Ella made her way to the kitchen. Poured herself a cup of coffee. There sat Jose in his high chair, pounding on the tray with his spoon.
“My, my you’re a happy boy this morning.” Ella tickled Jose’s feet.
Jose giggled and squirmed reaching for Ella. Ella picked him up laid him across her shoulder.
“Maria, everything smells so good. I’m hungry as a bear.” Ella said as she put Jose in his carrier, pulled a chair back and sat at the table. Ella put milk in her coffee and was stirring it in a figure eight motion.
“I’m glad you’re hungry. I’ve fixed a hearty meal for your first official day of working at the shop.” Maria said as she put the food on the table covered with a white tablecloth and red napkins.
Juan soon joined them for breakfast. They enjoyed the wonderful breakfast Maria prepared. Jose banged on his tray between each bit. Maria was pretty fast at scooping up the rice cereal for Jose but he still demanded the food to come faster.
“Jose’s a good eater. His going to grow up to be a strong man.” Juan said as he watched Maria feed him.
Ella stood up wiping the corner of her lips with the pretty red napkin and laid it on her plate. “Thank you for a lovely breakfast. It was very kind of you to make such a nice presentation.” Ella told Maria as she put her coat on.
“Thank you, Ms. Ella.” Maria said smiling and feeling a sense of worthiness.
“I’m outta here Ella said as she took the last sip of coffee. She put the cup on the counter, grabbed her purse and away she went.
As Ella backed from the garage into the circle drive she saw the blue sedan at the end of her drive. She locked her doors as she reluctantly headed down the long drive. Before she reached the end of the drive the car sped away. Ella thought. He knows where I live, where I work and pretty much every where I go. He’s a damn stalker. I’ve got my 22 pistol and I’ll keep it close. I’ll blow his head off if he messes with me. Sure I will. I’d be shaking so bad if he ever approached me I’d probably shoot my foot. She thought.
Ella stopped in at the printer’s and picked up her order. Bill the printer wished her much success in her new business.
“Well, thank you sir.” Ella said as she stacked her order in her arms.
“Here, let me help you.” Bill said as he opened the door.
“No, thank you.” Ella replied as the door swung shut.
When Ella drove up to the shop she decided she needed to clean out her overstuffed purse. She removed a few items and put the 22 pistol in the inside zipper pocket but didn’t zip it up. She might need to get to it in a hurry.
Everyone arrived about the same time. Ella unlocked the front door and turned the closed sign to open. She flicked the lights on and everything sparkled.
“My, my this place is beautiful. I am so proud of all we did.” Ella said as she thoughtfully placed her purse under the counter.
Ron put on a pot of coffee and began straightening up the back room. Mainly looking for something to do.
All were busy when Alicia spoke up. “Look up guys it is our first customer.”
A short lady with red boy short hair stepped into the store with a beautiful basket wrapped in cellophane and tied with a nice bow.
“Good morning.” Susan professionally greeted her.
“I’m Margo from Margo’s Flower Shop in Pottsville.” Before she got another word out Ella was coming from the back room.
“I’m Ella, the owner and this is Susan my merchandiser and sales person. Alicia, my designer and Ron my delivery person.” She said as she pointed to her staff.
“We are so glad you stopped by and the basket is lovely. Thank you for being so thoughtful. I’m sure we will enjoy it.” Ella said. “May I get you a cup of coffee?”
“No, I need to get back to the shop I just wanted to meet you and let you know if I can be of any help just call me.” She said politely.
“I planned to get over to your shop but I’ve been so busy with getting everything ready for our opening I just neglected coming over. I’ll get over to see your shop soon.” Ella told Margo as Margo was making her way toward the door looking throughout the shop she almost fell over one of the display tables. She straightened up the plant she knocked over and made it to the door.
The basket was filled with bagels, donuts, cream cheese, fruit and orange juice.
“What a nice gesture.” Ella said as Alicia was going through the basket.
“The lady knows how to make a gift basket” Alicia said with a donut halfway hanging out of her mouth. As she scrambled to fine more goodies.
“Look, look out front.” Susan said pointing at the delivery van. “It’s beautiful, the van sign is beautiful.”
Everyone ran out front to admire the tan van with the wording. Ally’s Flower Shoppe on each side and back.
Doug stepped from the van. He handed Ella the key.
“I hope this is satisfactory Ella.” He said knowing she would love it.
“Doug, I’m totally satisfied. You did a great job.” Ella said as she admired his work.
Mr. Wright drove up to give Doug a ride home.
“How does it look to you?” He asked knowing she was pleased with his son’s work.
“Your son is very talented, Douglas.” She told him as she continued to look over the sign.
“Yeah, I’m proud of him. I wish the towns people would use Doug instead of traveling to Baker for their sign painting.”
“With a van like this advertising his work I think he will soon be very busy.” Ella told him. “I’ll be telling everyone Doug painted my van sign and Douglas made the shop sign. Ella said with a big thank you smile.
“Thank you Ella, we best be getting back to the shop.” Douglas said as they loaded up in the truck.
“Ron,” Ella yelled getting Ron’s attention as she tossed the van keys his way.
“It’s your responsibility to keep this baby clean. I prefer you don’t take it through the car wash. Eventually the car wash brushes will ruin the sign. “There’s a do it yourself car wash over on Second Street.” Ella said.
Ron smiled as he put the keys in his pocket.
“I’ll take good care of the van.
“Get quarters out of my petty cash box under the counter when the van needs to be washed and leave a note with the amount you took.”
“Well do ma’am. Ron said.
A few people strolled through the store as the week passed. A handful of orders were purchased but it was very quiet. Alicia, Susan and Ron became very concerned.
“Ella do you want us to go home? We aren’t doing anything and our time is going right along.” Ron said.
“Alicia, Ron and Susan please listen to me. I don’t want you to go home. I realize it takes time for a shop to get started but believe me when people realize we are here you will work your butts off. Right now it’s slow sailing.” Ella assured them.
The day of the ‘Grand Opening’ arrived, Ella was wondering if she ordered too much food. The crew moved a few display tables to the side of the room making space for the caterer to set up. The caterer arrived at four as scheduled and started setting up tables, covering each with white linen. There were large hot stainless steel chafing dishes for the hot food. A stack of white china plates and petite wine glasses where set up on the counter.
Everyone went home to get ready for the gala affair. Alicia arrived looking very nice in a pair of black slacks and a green floral top flowing past her ample hips and a pair of black high heels. Alicia cleaned up real nice. Taking a few pounds off Alicia she could be and probably was a good looker in her younger years.
“What are you looking at?” Alicia questioned.
“Haven’t you seen a fat lady dress up?” Alicia said twirling around like a young girl with her blouse spinning in the air.
Ron parked the van in front of the shop hoping everyone would get a good look at it. Maybe the Wright’s would get some business from seeing the good looking sign.
Ron and Susan dressed in black slacks, Susan a silk blouse and Ron an nice button down shirt. Ella wore a straight red dress with shiny black beads almost to her waist and black patent leather heels.
The caterer filled the chafing dishes with hot food, the trays with hors d’oeuvre and desserts. Bottles of sparkling cider were also on the serving table.
The newspaper ad read the ‘Grand Opening’ started at six. The six o’clock hour arrived and they weren’t breaking down the door to get in.
“We may be the only guests at our party.” Ella laughed.
“I hope you are all hungry. We certainly have an abundance of good food.” She said peering out the window.
“Sure someone will come.” Susan said crossing her fingers behind her back.
“Hell gang let’s get this party started.” Alicia said picking up a white china plate and filling it to over flowing.
The door opened and in walked Mark Brandon.
“Mark Brandon, welcome to our new flower shop.” Ella greeted him with a smile and breathed a sigh of relief. At least they had one guest. She thought to herself.
Before she could say more the door opened and a flow of people walked through the door. The shop was filled with people for three hours. Alicia and Susan made sure every guest filled out the guest cards. Ella now had a good clientele base to work from.
Mark Brandon brought his microphone and speakers. He set one speaker outside for the guests standing around wouldn’t miss out on the festivities. Mark recruited a young lady to draw guest names from his hat. Every fifteen minutes Mark called another name. Ella was beginning to think he was going to give away the farm. Although, she was thankful for his help. Ella would restock next week. Juan, Maria and Jose stopped in for a short while. Ella introduced them to the guests. Everyone thought Jose was cute. Some asked Juan what his occupation was and he proudly told them he is a handyman.