At Wick's End - Tim Myers [40]
I chuckled softly to myself as she left. Ann Marie was something entirely unto herself, and though she’d painted a dark picture of my earnings, it wasn’t as bleak as Lucas Young had implied.
I peeked at my check, not sure what to expect. I was a little disappointed at first by the amount, then I realized I was my own landlord, so rent and utilities were covered from that account, a sizable expense I would be exempted from. The amount of the check certainly gave me incentive to see how I could raise profits around the candle shop, since my pay was tied directly to it. It was a fair way to do it, and I was glad Belle had chosen to set it up that way.
As I handed Eve her check, I asked, “Is Mrs. Jorgenson here yet?”
“No, but I’ve heard she’s always punctual. Are you ready for your lesson?”
I ticked the steps off in my mind, fairly confident I could follow the correct procedures in the right order. “I think so.”
Eve added, “While we’re waiting for her to arrive, there’s something I need to discuss with you.”
“What’s that?” I asked as I checked over the supplies I’d laid out for the day’s lesson.
“It’s about yesterday,” she said hesitantly.
“There’s nothing to discuss,” I said. “You deserve some time off now and then.”
Eve snorted. “I wasn’t taking a vacation day, and you know it. I came unglued when I heard about the break-in upstairs, and I left you here alone. It was unforgivable.”
“It’s already forgotten,” I said.
Eve pushed, “It rattled me, Harrison, and there was no reason for it. Belle’s death has shaken me more than I’ve been willing to admit.” She took a deep breath, then said, “I’m dealing with it, though. Work will help.”
A thought suddenly struck me. “Eve, how many hours do you work in a normal week?”
Instead of offering a direct answer to my question, she said, “I don’t mind coming in, Harrison. You need help until you get your feet on the ground here.”
“I need to know. What’s a typical week for you?”
Eve said, “I usually work three full days a week, every afternoon, plus one or two evenings and every other weekend. But nobody expects you to take over the shop until you learn the ins and outs of the candle business, Harrison.”
“I’d appreciate it if you could work with me this week, but starting next Monday we go back to your old schedule, the one you had with Belle.”
“If it’s the money, we can consider part of it as volunteer work,” Eve said frostily.
“I’m not going to lie to you and tell you money’s got nothing to do with it, but that’s just part of it. I need to learn to stand on my own two feet here. I’m going to make mistakes, I fully expect that, but the more I work the store on my own, the quicker life around here can get back to normal. I do have one favor to ask, though.”
“You know I’m happy to oblige,” she said.
“Keep teaching me the processes. I’m having a wonderful time learning, but I know more than anyone how weak my background is in the basics.”
Eve offered one of her rare smiles. “You’ve got a knack for it, Harrison. I can’t tell you how happy I am you enjoy it. Belle would have been so pleased.”
The overhead bell chimed, and I saw Mrs. Jorgenson coming toward me, a resolute expression on her face. So much for “Feel Good” Monday.
“Good morning,” I said as I led Mrs. J back to the classroom. “Are you ready to get started?”
“Absolutely. I’ve turned off my telephone, so we won’t be disturbed this time.”
I got her started with sheets of wax and wicks, and to my chagrin, she was nearly perfect from the start. I had counted on spending an hour having her roll and reroll her candles, but I had to admit, her first attempt was better formed than my last. How in the world was I going to keep her occupied now?
She studied the results, then said, “Surely there’s something else we can do with these sheets.”
I was suddenly very thankful I’d put so much time in