Chapter 8: Discoveries and Revelations

The kitchen took a couple of days longer than expected when two of the cabinets, key ones unfortunately, were delivered in the wrong finish. The supplier scrambled to make it right, but it would be the last thing done and they would be three days later than expected. Luckily, our contractor had unpackaged the cabinets when they arrived, inspecting them for damage, and the error was discovered right away.

When all the work was done and we moved back into the house, I was amazed at just how good the kitchen looked. It was right out of a show home. To say Mom was happy would be a major understatement. She was so happy with it I didn't think she was ever going to leave it. She just sat at the new kitchen island and looked around her in wonder. It took her a whole day just to put things away where she wanted them, changing her mind several times. It was fun to watch how happy she was.

Nana moved in shortly after that and the next thing I heard was Mom mentioning how the ensuite bathroom might need "sprucing up." She was as subtle as a ton of bricks, but I could see Dad was already writing his surrender address. The fact was, all these things were investments that would pay off further down the road if and when they sold the house.

Nana was still very lively and aware of things, despite her seventy-five years. She took to Dory just as my Mom had, and I often found them talking together, just the two of them.

"That girl is something special, Steve," she said one day when we were alone. "You want to hang onto her."

"That's the plan, Nana. We've had our ups and downs, but I think we've decided that we've got a future. We're going to finish school and get our careers started, but I can see us being together a long time from now."

"Good for you. I know your mother thinks highly of her too. I was kind of wondering, though. I don't hear her or you talk about her parents much. Is there a problem?"

"Yes, but I don't think I should be discussing it, Nana. It's really up to Dory and I'm not sure she wants anyone to know. I don't have any problem with them and they don't mind me dating Dory, so it doesn't interfere with us."

My grandmother nodded and said nothing, but I was sure she was wondering what it could be.

We were back in school and, although we only had one course that we shared, I wasn't having too many problems keeping up. I had switched to business math and I was able to understand it better than calculus or solid geometry. I was never going to be a math genius, but I knew for certain I had to be able to read an inventory spread sheet, a balance sheet, and manage cash – all of which were number oriented.

When I mentioned my future career to some of my friends, they all looked at me as if I was setting my sights low. They didn't think that retail store management was anything special and after a while, I didn't volunteer much about my dreams to anyone. I knew from watching Eddie that it wasn't easy, it could be rewarding, and it was important to the community. People had to eat. They had limited funds to spend. They needed the best food at the best price.

Sounds simple, but it isn't. Eddie's medium sized market carried over 30,000* different items at any one time, and that was less than the national average. Produce, meat, bakery and dairy products had to be managed very carefully because of limited shelf life. Stock rotation and close management of order size were critical. A bad produce section, typically the first place the shopper visits, can turn the customer off on the entire store, not just the fresh produce.

* FMI 2010 data indicates an average of 38,700 individual items per store

I wasn't ashamed of having a future in the business, but I didn't realize how others looked down on it as if working there was beneath their dignity. Thank goodness Dory didn't feel that way. My parents didn't think that way either, although I was pretty sure my mother had hopes I would become a doctor or a lawyer. However, if she didn't approve, she never gave any hint of it to me.

Above all, Eddie knew his customers. He knew what they liked and didn't like. He got a lot of help from a computer system he bought and one of his cousins installed. It gave him exact numbers of product sold on any given day. He didn't have to guess at which items were moving and which weren't. There were far too many listings for him to manage manually. Only the computer and the scanners could give him that information instantly and accurately.

As Tania, our former car pool partner accurately predicted, second year college was much easier than first year. Not that the courses were easy, but we had each developed a routine and knew what it took to get through. Study groups helped us get over individual challenges, but by and large we had figured out what it took to succeed.

All in all, I think that the two things which made it easier for me get along well in college were experience and having a goal. The experience of making it through that first year was very important. Having a goal, rather two goals, increased my confidence in achieving success. Taking over a store for Eddie at a very young age would be a major career move. Marrying Dory and starting a family would be the other piece of the puzzle that would complete my life. Yes, those things were always foremost in my mind these days.

Christmas and New Year's came and went with the usual festivities and fun. I invited Dory's parent's over to meet my parents since mine had been asking me to do so. They came and everyone seemed to get along well. I don't think Mr. and Mrs. Paulson were quite aware of how close Dory was to my family. I was pretty sure that was a big surprise for Mrs. Paulson, particularly.

"I was uncomfortable, Stevie. I know our parents got along fine, but ... I don't know ... I was on edge about them meeting your parents. It was almost like I was expecting they might say something about their parties."

I laughed. "I don't think that was going to happen, girl. But did you see Nana watching what was happening. She didn't say much, but she was sure paying attention."

"Your grandmother is a really nice lady, Stevie. She's very interested in how you and I are doing at college."

"I saw you two with your heads together the other day. What was that about?" I asked.

"Never mind, it was girl talk."

I shrugged. I was just happy that everyone was getting along with everyone else.

"If you must know, she wanted to know if we were going to 'shack up, ' I think she called it," Dory said, immediately bursting into laughter.

"I'm all for it, if I get a vote."

"Hmmmm," she said thoughtfully, "it is tempting, but I don't think we can afford it right now."

"True. Of course, you could move in with me downstairs, private bathroom and all."

"Ha Ha!" she snorted. "Like my parents and yours would go for that."

"Won't know 'til we ask," I said, teasing her.

"I haven't got the nerve," Dory admitted.

"So, was Nana suggesting anything ... about 'shacking up, ' I mean?"

I could see the blush on Dory's face and I knew immediately that my grandmother had indeed suggested something.

"Out with it, Dory."

"She said your place was just right and she'd vote in favour of it."

"You're kidding! Really?"

"Yes. I was as shocked as you are. She may be old, but she's not old fashioned."

"I guess not. And I thought I knew her. I wonder if my Dad has any idea she thinks like that?"

There was no way I was going to suggest any such thing to my parents. Not that I didn't want to, but my chances of pulling it off were two: slim and none. On the other hand, it was a tantalizing prospect. Maybe ... maybe ... if I could get Nana to help ... maybe?

It was mid-May, when we were almost finished school that Eddie called me into his office for a talk. Usually, it was over a cup of coffee in the back, but today was different.

"Steve, I bought store in Vernon. Old Super Value store. Manager no good. He too old, lazy, not smart. I find new manager this summer. I need you to look after store this summer. You do this for me?"

"Are you serious, Eddie? Me ... run a store?"

"Very serious. I trust you, Steve. You know me. You know business. You do store for me. I pay you manager wages. Good experience for you."

"Holy shit, Eddie. I don't know. I mean ... I'm really proud you want me to, but ... I don't want to let you down."

Eddie smiled, showing his two gold teeth.

"You can do. Cousin Arnold help. Good experience. You can do," he repeated in his mangled English.

I thought about it. It was a hell of an opportunity, there was no doubt. But ... could I do the job? And who the hell was Cousin Arnold? I was going to have to take a chance. A big chance.

"Okay, Eddie, as along as your cousin can help, I'll do it. When do you want me to start?"

"When you finish school?"

"Next week. I've just got two exams and then I'm done. I could maybe start the week after."

"Good! Very good!"

"Hold it a second, Eddie. Where am I going to live? You said the store was in Vernon?"

"I pay you for motel and two foods each day. Store open every day, not Sunday. You get manager pay. You get rich," he cackled.

"I live in a motel for three months and get to work six days a week. Is that about it?" I asked, wondering if this was such a good deal.

He nodded vigorously. "Yes! Yes! Good deal, eh?"

"Eddie, if it was anyone but you, I wouldn't touch it. But ... okay. It's a deal. Now all I have to do is find a way to tell Dory," I mumbled.

I was actually afraid to tell Dory that I was going to be gone for three months. It was at least a six hour drive from our home to Vernon, even in the best of weather. With the summertime and vacationers and their trailers and motorhomes, it was likely more. But, the deciding factor was my longer range plan. I wanted to be ready when I graduated to have my own store and this was a huge stepping-stone toward that. I had to take the chance.

"Dory, something has come up that going to change our plans for the summer," I began.

We were sitting on the back patio of my house, alone thankfully. It had taken me all my courage to bring this up, but I had to do it.

"What do you mean, Stevie?" A worried look was painted on her face.

"Eddie wants me to take over a store for him this summer. He's bought a struggling store from Super Value and until he gets a new manager, he wants me to run the store."

"Stevie! That's wonderful. Think of the experience you'll get. It's perfect for you. Oh ... congratulations," she beamed.

"Uhm, yeah. Well, there is a catch."

"Oh? What catch?"

"It's in Vernon. I'll only be there for the summer, but ... it's in Vernon."

I could see the look on her face as she realized the implications. We were going to be separated for the next three months. That was never in our plans. That was something we had never considered.

"Oh ... Vernon. That's a long way away, isn't it?"

I nodded. "About a six hour drive ... give or take."

"How often will you be home?" she asked hopefully.

I shook my head. "It's a six day-a-week job, Dory. I won't have the time to come home."

"You mean ... I won't see you for this summer?"

"No. I hate it, Dory, but I owe Eddie and this is a big opportunity for us for the future. You know what he's promised me when I graduate. This is my chance to show him that I can do the job."

"But ... I won't see you, Stevie. Not for a long time. Not for the whole summer."

"I know. It's going to be hard for both of us. But ... it's only three months. When we go back to school, I'll be back again. We'll be back together. I love you, Dory. This doesn't change anything. I love you."

We wrapped our arms around each other and I could feel the tears that Dory was shedding. I was sure this would be a difficult thing for her ... for us both, but I was convinced it was the right thing to do.

"You won't forget me, will you?" she asked as she wiped the tears from her eyes.

"How could I possibly forget you," I smiled. "I love you and you know it. It's not like I'm going to be gone for a year or more. You can come up and stay with me if you want. I'm going to be making a manager's salary, so I can afford it. Maybe that's what we should do. You come up to Vernon with me."

"You know I can't do that, Stevie. My parents would have a fit. Besides, I have a job, and I'm committed to it for this summer. I can't just drop it and leave."

I sighed. "I know. It was a crazy idea, but ... I didn't want you to think I wasn't thinking about you. About how hard this would be for us."

She nodded. "I'll hate it without you, but ... I'll be okay."

"I'll hate it without you too, Dory."

When the marks were posted at the end of that week, Dory and I finished second year with good grades, hers better than mine, but not by a whole lot. As I looked at my final marks I realized I was going to make it. I was going to get my degree in Business and if Eddie was as good as his word, I'd have a great job right out of school at the ripe old age of 22. How many other guys could say that? Damn few!

Our last couple of days together weren't great. Dory was very quiet and seldom smiled. She was upset that I would be gone for the entire summer and our only communications would be on the phone. I wasn't happy about it either, but I was still pumped with the idea that I'd have my own store to run and I'd be getting experience I'd never otherwise get.

I was nervous as hell when I pulled into the store parking lot. It was on the east side of town just off Highway 6. The sign still read Super Value, but that would change sometime this month. I sat in the car for a few minutes, thinking how I wanted to handle this. I was a young kid really, taking over from an old hand ... probably a guy who didn't really want to go. What kind of reception would I get? How much help would I get?

I had left home at seven Monday morning and it was nearly three when I arrived at the store. A couple of stops for coffee, food and gas and I was tired before I even arrived. I hadn't seen the motel on the way into town, but there was time enough for that when I'd made my presence known to the manager and staff. I sucked it up and got out of the car, stretching to loosen up my cramped muscles and hopefully my nervousness.