The Green Ticket (7 page)
“Well, why don’t we go back into my office and discuss a few more details, the fine print of the job,” Dani suggested, taking Cami from Kevin’s arms. “We have a few minutes until we need to get going so we could go over some paperwork, and then if you have any other questions, Allie can be your right-hand girl to go to.”
I followed Dani and Kevin back, while Allie and Kamille stayed up front to keep an eye on their daughters. The office was through the spa doors and to the left and was a small square space that seemed efficient. Two computers hummed in opposite corners, file folders, loose papers and stacks of mail were piled on any free space available, and a family picture of Dani, Kevin and their three daughters was hung on the east wall. One computer had an email pulled up, the other showed what looked to be the salon schedule, with blocks of time colored different shades and names inserted at every hour. I felt professional just walking into the office, and could easily picture myself at the desk, monitoring the schedule, fielding phone calls, working payroll.
It only took about twenty minutes, and Dani explained to me the different job duties, hours they would want me to work, a salary and explanation of benefits. The work hours in the clinic were a little varied, Tuesday through Sunday three weeks out of the month, and then the last week Tuesday through Friday, with weekends off. They announced a salary that made my eyes bulge–– I had never been offered a number like that in my life. And that included a pay raise once I got my degree–– hello, making bank. The benefits were excellent, a 401(k) plan, health, vision and dental care, and even a free gym membership at a local facility down the street. I felt confident in my ability to perform the job requirements: scheduling employees, training events, marketing, dealing with unhappy customers, submitting employee hours to the payroll company, hosting monthly meetings with the staff, and generally being the face of Blissful. I needed to organize events around town to help drive in business, promote Blissful on the radio, basically “eat, sleep and breath Blissful,” as Kevin put it.
I looked down at the large packet in my hands, which outlined everything we had discussed in a few short minutes. It was overwhelming. It was a real, grown-up job. It was everything I wanted. And then, Kevin threw in a few kickers. “We want our business to do well, and we want employees who can make that happen. And you, Alex, I believe can make that happen for us. You’ve lived in Des Moines for years, you know the town and the people, you have connections through your school and you’re a beautiful woman. People will look at you and think your beauty comes from Blissful. Women will want to look like you and men will want their wives to look like you.” I snuck another peek at Dani when he said that. She was beautiful. I wanted to look like her. “We’ll have certain goals we will want you to meet each month–– either an increase in appointments, product sales, treatment sales, whatever. You make the goal, you get a monetary bonus. And come on, who doesn’t love some bonus money?”
I nodded my head, thinking of what I could buy with my bonus money. My savings account could really benefit from that. Kevin continued. “It’s simple: meet your goal, we cut you a check. Bing, bang, done deal.”
“That is so generous of you to offer that. I’ll tell you, I love goals. I love being able to write things down and really go for them and––”
“Excellent, you get it then. Perfect.” Kevin cut me off, leaning back in his chair and casually crossing one leg over the other. “And one more thing. Blissful is a franchise, and we’re really interested in opening more salons in Des Moines and across Iowa. Maybe even dip in Missouri and Illinois. If you want to think of the future, you could possibly own a store yourself one day.” My heart skipped a beat. Me–– an owner of a salon and spa? “If you exceed expectations as a manger, understand the way the business operates, we could definitely help you open another store. More money for us, more money for you. Cheers all around. What do you think of that?”
It took me an extra moment to find my voice over the shock of realizing I could really be a business owner one day, with a man who obviously knew a great deal about owning and entrepreneurship. “Yes! That’s my main goal is to own a store. And salon and spas are my niche–– they’re what I love. I can’t believe I could really own one someday.” I shook my head in disbelief. It was all so overwhelming. Everything was falling in place for me. Alicia was going to be so proud.
“I think you’re the candidate for the job. Dani?” He raised his caterpillar black eyebrows at his wife, who had her signature grin in place.
“And I agree. Ooh, Alex, we’re so happy to have you. That is, if you want the job.” Her smile faded just for a second while she watched me pretend to go over their offer one more time, flipping pages in the packet. This job offered money, stability, a chance to get a real opportunity. What indecision?
“I say yes! I would love to come on as your manager. I will take great care of Blissful. Thank you so much,” I said. Dani stood and reached her arms out for me. I leaned in to hug her, feeling her gigantic melons press against my own chest, and then reached on my tiptoes to hug Kevin. He secured his thick arms around my waist, resting them right above my tailbone.
“Welcome to the family, Alex,” he whispered in my ear.
Chapter 6
Halloween weather was not on our side. By the time Saturday rolled around, the nighttime temps wouldn’t budge more than forty-six degrees. Our tiny costumes would not fare well against the blustering winds and teeth-chattering cold.
“Hannah, please go start your car! The leather seats will freeze my ass if you don’t!” Carmen was trying to convince Hannah, who was our DD, to start her car before we left for a house party.
“Didn’t your dad just install that automatic start? Just press the button!” Lila chimed in, who sat on the couch covered in a thick blanket. The heat hasn’t been turned on yet at Kaufman, so blankets and sweatshirts were scattered around our apartment.
“Chill out, would you? I will use my automatic start when we’re more prepared to leave. It doesn’t take long to warm my car,” Hannah said, adjusting her black wig. Hannah was Posh Spice, trumping Carmen who originally thought she should be Posh, due to her black hair. But Carmen ended up as Scary Spice, which she said was “blatant discrimination” making the Latina play the black singer. She got over it when Hannah said she would be the DD if she could be Posh (which she probably would have been no matter what) and Carmen agreed to the trade.
Lila was Sporty Spice, and while her black hot pants, skin-tight pink sports bra and towering platforms made her look more streetwalker than girl band, nobody was complaining. Emma was of course Baby Spice, who looked the picture of naughty innocence in a short white pleated skirt (the cheerleading fantasies guys would imagine that night), a pink baby tee that ended just a few inches past her boobs, pigtails (more fantasies) and white platforms.
“Someone help me take out these curlers, please!” I shouted from the bathroom, where I was the last one getting ready. I was at Blissful all afternoon learning the ropes, so I was behind schedule. I felt bad for holding everyone up, but I wanted to look my best for the party, not just a thrown-together Ginger Spice.
Hannah and Lila both entered the bathroom, Lila tripping over her blanket and Hannah tugging down the sides of her painted-on black mini dress. They got to work on my hair, rolling out the curlers, dousing the strands with holding spray, and chattering about the party. I sat quietly, letting them do their thing. I was horrible at hair and learned it was best just to keep my hands in my lap.
“Are you sure you know how to get there? I do not want to get lost tonight of all creepy nights,” Hannah was saying to Lila, who struggled to reach my hair while trying to keep the blanket around her scantily clad body.
“I’m positive! I printed off directions from the Internet, plus confirmed them yesterday with Peter. And I have his number, so if it truly comes down to it, I can call him for help. But we won’t get lost.”
“And how well do you know this Peter?” Hannah wanted to know. My ears perked up. I wanted to know this too. Lila came home last week talking about a guy she met in the lounge, this Peter Gambil character. We couldn’t figure out if she liked him, as in dump Joel and move on, or just thought he was a nice guy. But she immediately switched our Halloween agenda from the first house party we were going to attend to the one that would be taking place at Peter’s house on the south side of Des Moines. And from what we gathered, Joel was not happy about the change of plans. The original house party had been at his friend’s house, so now Joel and Lila were fighting. Again. I was surprised that Joel wasn’t going to accompany Lila to the party. He usually just tagged along with her. To be honest, I was glad he wasn’t. Lila needed time away from him.
“I’ve been telling you, Hannah, he’s perfect! He’s tall, good-looking, and smart. Plus, he’s getting his generals here at Kaufman before going on to get his DDS.”
“What’s a DDS?” I piped up, curious.
“Doctor of Dental Surgery,” Lila and Hannah replied at the same time.
“Right!” Lila exclaimed, pulling a roller out with a little more force than necessary. “He’s got his own house–– well, I think he rents it with some other guys, but still–– he drives a nice car and he’s super nice. Hannah, I think he’s perfect for you.”
So that’s what it was. Lila wanted to play matchmaker. She was serious about the vow she gave Hannah a few weeks back.
“What? Come on, you’re joking. Is this like a blind date house party or something? I thought you were kidding when you said you wanted to be my matchmaker.”
“Hannah, when I see someone that is so obviously right for one of my very best girlfriends, I will not let him slip away. Let’s just go to the party, meet some new people and have a good time. No pressure. If you hit it off, then send me gifts. If you don’t, whatever. I didn’t mention you to Peter at all, so he’s not expecting any sort of hookup.”
As I listened to the girls comment about the party and then segue into blind dates, I covered my mouth with one hand to hide all the yawns that insisted on escaping. Saturdays were usually reserved for lounging, catching up on TV shows, hitting the gym, maybe a little shopping. But I was at Blissful at eleven o’clock that morning, an hour before they opened on Saturdays, to start my training. I worked with Dani, Allie, and Kamille, who were getting me started on the basics: what Blissful offered and learning the computer system. I had an appointment scheduled with Allie on Tuesday after class to get my first facial. I caught on quick to the computer system, studied the services menu all afternoon until I could almost recite the thing from memory, and started interacting with the customers–– introducing myself to the regulars who seemed delighted to see me. I was thrilled I was getting the hang of everything so fast. I just didn’t account for how tired I would be after just a six-hour shift.
“You look fab, Alex, just fab. I still can’t believe you found that dress.” I snapped to attention when I heard Lila say my name and mentally shook myself awake.
“Thanks. It really wasn’t even a bad price, and nothing says Ginger Spice more than the British flag dress,” I replied, looking down at my outfit. I found the iconic dress that Geri Halliwell donned online, and instantly ordered it. Paired with fire engine red strappy platforms and my red hair bouncing in curls, I was full-on pop-girl group stardom. Tell me what you want, what you really, really want.
“I’m jealous you can pull off a dress that short. I swear, I feel like every time I move a leg one of my ass cheeks is going to pop out,” Hannah complained, yanking down the hem of her dress.
“Come on, Hans, you are totally not in character. Don’t you remember the scene from the movie where Posh walks out and says ‘Is my dress too short?’ and they say no so she hikes it up even more. Get in character!” Lila said, tousling my hair one last time and nodding in satisfaction.
“I must have fallen asleep before that part,” Hannah replied, giving herself a once-over in the mirror. I stood, giving myself one more swipe with deodorant, a spritz of Lila’s perfume, and threw a stick of eyeliner in my clutch.
“We’ve watched the movie three times in as many weeks. You could not have missed that part each time,” Lila protested, also giving herself a glance in the mirror, frowning as she ran her hands over her bare stomach. “I need to do some more sit-ups quick.” She exited the bathroom in haste, and Hannah and I rolled our eyes at each other, following suit. Lila looked fab in her costume, though we knew she didn’t believe it when we told her.
After finishing our pregame drinks and making sure we all looked our best (and Lila finished yet another round of tummy-toning sit-ups) we finally moseyed our way outside and piled into Hannah’s Audi. Lila read the directions aloud from her paper, and we actually made it to Peter’s without getting lost, shocking us all. We walked right in the front door without bothering to knock, as we could already hear the music pulsating through the front door.
We stuck close together as we entered, grasping our clutches and still shivering from being outside for a few short minutes. We followed Carmen’s nose to the keg, which was set up in the unfinished basement that screamed bachelor pad: hard cement floors, a pool table in one corner, two dart boards side by side on the wall, a big screen TV with what looked like two X-boxes, one Playstation, and one Wii under the entertainment stand, and a few worn couches scattered throughout. A group of guys were huddled around the silver keg, filling their red party cups with beer and laughing as one guy got too much foam in his cup.
One guy glanced our way as our group approached, and we made eye contact. When our eyes locked, the loud din of voices turned quiet, like someone turning the volume down quickly on the TV. The strangers in Halloween costumes faded away, until it was just me and Mr. Blue Eyes. Did I believe in love at first sight? If you had asked me three seconds ago, I would have said no way … but now...