Claire slid down onto the bench, “You know I work at this Internet clothing business, right?”
“You mentioned it.” Zack sat next to her and put his coffee on the edge of a planter full of brownish-red soil. He could smell the dampness that hung about them from a recent watering and the fragrance of the early flowers bursting from their tips.
“It’s great I can show up in ripped jeans and torn tennis shoes since I only interact with customers on the phone or through email.” Zack imagined Claire in ripped jeans. She could pull it off. “– Not that I do but that’s the kind of place it is. I have put my hair up in clips and pony tails to hide unshakable bed-head but I try to dress conservatively. So it’s not that I’m wearing short skirts, thongs, and cheerleader-tight sweaters, but the owner has been hitting on me.”
“He could get in trouble for that.”
“I know. He likely doesn’t realize it. But I don’t know –”
Zack felt a protective urge race through his arms. His fingers twitched into fists on their own. Zack relaxed them. “How old is this guy?”
“He might be thirty but could be twenty-five or anywhere in between.”
“Has he touched you somehow?” Zack leaned toward Claire, his body coiling again. He forced his hands to relax when he saw her eyes alarmed at his involuntary fists.
“No. We work out of a small warehouse. Boxes will bump or brush me or squeeze us together as we hurry to fill orders. It’s one of those “turn around twice and you’ve been around the whole facility” places. It’s also crammed with incoming pallets and outgoing boxes. A good business actually. He keeps telling me he wants to have me model clothes for the photographer and put products up on the site.”
“Is he kind of creepy about anything?”
“He’s suggestive, but the kind that I don’t know if it’s my imagination or a deeper problem.”
“How do you like the basic business? Are you earning good money? Not that those could condone staying in an uncomfortable work environment.”
“You have rights to a professional work atmosphere. I know that. It helps to talk to you though. Leiko isn’t helpful about work and business since much of her perspective is from Japan where she grew up. My sister is in education and the business world works differently, so she can’t help.”
“I can’t say too much how to handle that issue. I tend to go too far the other way with my interactions just because it’s publicized. I think any women in the work environments I’ve ever been in have thought me pretty cold and dry. Other’s joke and exchange playful banter but I have always stayed focused on the tasks and the work.” Zack said, “I even avoid the natural habit of complementing a woman on her nice outfit or haircut that she obviously seems really proud of and appreciates approvals.”
“It’s really important to get feedback from friends, insecurity, sure.” Claire drank some of her coffee and looked over the pebbled cone of the dormant water fountain.
“Like I might say you’ve got a great haircut, because I noticed, but I’m cautious if I do that I could get in trouble somehow.”
“You’ve spent a lot of time being cautious around women.”
“Too much media warning men. Being asked, “Do you think my butt looks fat?” That is really dangerous.”
“We joke about that question all the time. It’s the secret handshake of our club.” Claire laughed. “Even with the media exposure, some still don’t respond to it.” Zack followed her eyes to the sandy domed City Hall clock tower. She asked, “How is your work?”
“Clients have been great and they are keeping on plan finally after a bumpy start. I continue monitoring them and we have conference calls practically every night. My boss worried when I said I needed to be out here but he seems to have calmed down. I keep him updated and I think he’s satisfied.”
“Your kids are doing well?”
“Yes.”
Claire approached the real question she wanted to ask. She changed which leg crossed the other and leaned toward Zack slightly. Swirling her drink, she arched her eyebrow when she peered carefully at him, “What about your wife?”
“Strained. We’re always fighting about one thing or another. I worry about my kids. I see them picking up Lydia’s traits. Demanding I do something – not asking. Complaining about how the cheese on the omelet I made them is not melted enough. Of course, she shows up and over my shoulder tells me I’m making hers wrong and must put the cheese on while it’s cooking or she won’t eat it. Then the kids announce they are not eating what I made them and now want cereal instead. So I wonder what they are learning from our arrangement.”
“That’s difficult.”
“She told me she is faithful.” Zack shrugged, “I’m unsure.”
“You asked her?”
“Yes. She denied it but of course I have doubts.” Zack sat forward, “What are you going to do with your work?”
Claire said, “I’m … I’ll work on that. Alternatively, quit. Let’s focus on something better. ” She smiled then looked away, “How about a snack? Chips or crackers or something?”
Zack asked, “Did you want to get regular food? Did you have dinner yet?”
“I ate earlier. I’m thinking just a snack.”
Zack sighed, “I’ll go. I think the corner store has chips.”
“No, I’m not sending you out. I want to go – together.”
“Worried I’ll pick out the wrong flavor?”
“Yes!” Claire giggled, looking hard into his eyes. “No. I want to go there with you.”
Zack must have looked incredulous.
“Do you see what I’m saying? I want to do activities with you and it doesn’t matter what the activities are. If they are jobs that need doing, like painting or raking leaves – that’s something we can do together. Not send you out to take care of it.”
“You make everything more fun.” Zack did not say that his mind screamed how different this attitude was than Lydia’s, nor how welcome.
Zack and Claire walked along the storefronts of Main Street. Claire said, “Look, I see your wine.”
She stopped in front of a display of wine bottles filling the wine shop window.
Zack said, “It’s nice to see all the local wines collected in one place.”
“They have a map of the valley. I’ve been to these along here and there.”
“Those are nice wineries. We’ve actually sold excess grapes to these guys here at Rooter’s Vineyard, just the white wine grapes though.”
“Is that why I liked that winery as my second favorite?”
“They have a rustic construction and nice feel about the place. This winery, The Lions, over here is nice with their German castle-style tasting room.”
“Your bottles and labels look really nice,” Claire’s hand slipped against Zack’s arm. Her fingers slid across his palm and lightly laced with his fingers.
“We spent a lot of time choosing them. You would not believe the amount of options for bottles – all to achieve the level of market penetration and presentation your brand desires. Thin glass or thick glass. Colors across the rainbow. Sharp shoulder shapes for the Cabernet wines to the long smooth neck of the Syrah wines.” The air seemed suddenly too warm about him. Zack stepped closer to their destination. Her touch caressed not only his fingers but caused his whole body to tune into Claire more sharply. How individual strands of her hair cascaded down her head, how her eyelashes framed her eyes that tugged at his core. Her moistened lips made his arms want to hold her so his lips could press against hers. The catch in his heart popped free as if he had never released it. The smoothness of her neck teased him to kiss it. “How about an ice cream cone?”
She perked up, “That is a much better plan.”
The ice cream store hid itself around the corner of Main Street. As they walked on the worn planking running down the side of the building, Zack said, “It looks like an eighteen eighties Western town back here.”
“I can see the mov
ie trailer – shoot out at the ice cream parlor – it’s the Southwest after all.”
The store entry bell rang like spurs on blacktop. Claire and Zack laughed. They picked their ice cream cones, went back outside, and found the evening had dimmed the sky. Pale lights glowed in corners between the buildings behind mason jars.
“What are you planning at the winery for the next few months?”
“Working and making the winery as successful as possible.” Zack stopped and looked at Claire, “We’ve been talking around what we really should discuss.”
Claire nodded, “I keep wanting to ask more …” She turned into Zack and said, “But this is all I’ve wanted to talk about.” Her lips found his.
Zack tossed his chocolate cone behind him and wrapped his arms around Claire. Their tongues flitted against each other. Zack felt all of her against him except for her arm that held her cone. Zack kissed her along her jaw. He felt his groin thicken and how comfortably Claire pressed her pelvis against him in response. He wanted her more than he let himself believe. The smell of her skin filled him. He kissed down that neck of hers that had drawn him before. Claire moaned. “Oh!” her body jerked. Claire’s hand dripped sticky and sweat with the crushed remnants of the sugar cone and the melted caramel ice cream.
Zack released her and leaned against the rough wood-sided building. He worked at calming his breathing and his desire for her. What am I doing? “Is that a sign?” He retrieved a fold of napkins from his back pocket, put there from a habit honed by taking kids to ice cream parlors. Two great kids. They need stability. What will happen to them if I pursue this woman? Will she leave me after a few months? Will she leave me before a few months?
Claire took a deep breath, “A sign for what?”
“I’m attracted to you beyond anything I can believe.” Zack rubbed his face with both hands. I’m still married. But what of it? Other than the kids there is nothing keeping me with Lydia. “I’m not sure what to do. I never struggle with decisions. But you –”
Claire cleaned her hands. “You make all my choices difficult too.”
Zack saw her eyes water, “Don’t do that.”
“I can’t help it,” Claire looked for a trash can to throw the sticky napkins into but shook her head, “I can’t see anything. I’m pathetic.”
“No. I am the pathetic one.” He took the wad of paper from her and tossed it for the trash. It fell on top of his discarded cone.
Claire wiped her eyes clear, “You need to do what you need to do for the kids but your marriage seems over. I’ve shown you how much I like you, how much I need you.” She sniffed and her lip stiffened with thick words, “Let me know when you’re ready.” She turned and walked into the darkness.
Zack watched her steps carry her away along the hollow planks. When her toes left the scuffing wood and landed on the cement sidewalk, the shadows and the night took her away. Her scent faded from the air but lingered briefly along his hands that covered his face. Zack’s head bowed. What am I going to do?
Part Two
Chapter 11
Lawrence Pershing, CEO of Shokworthe Trucking Company, stepped to the podium. He looked across the room of assembled employees. The back and sides of the room faded to black shadows that hungered at the edges of the piercing spot lights illuminating the podium. Video cameras glinted from the darkness along the sides of the room as they piped the meeting through the Internet to the trucking company’s remote offices and warehouses. His eyes found Nicholas Cowger who gave him thumbs up. Nicholas was the technology group leader and, considering he worked on computer systems late at night, he was a person with more of a tan than most of Lawrence’s sales team. Lydia Steel nodded approvingly in the second row. Their task for this meeting was getting everyone, including the truck drivers on the road, to watch or listen to the meeting. Amazing technology, if it works, Lawrence thought. The lights cut through the wispy hairs on his balding head and heated him nearly to sweating. He knew this talk would be difficult. His executive team lined along the first row of chairs. Immediately behind them in expanding lines like the corporate organization charts, sat their Directors and the managers and working level people all waiting to understand if the rumors rang true. Best to begin.
“Team members of the Shokworthe Trucking Company, welcome to our quarterly corporate review!” He waited for the tentative applause to subside. “We know how challenging this recession remains. How it lingers and weighs on all our thoughts and actions. We have been fortunate that through everyone’s combined efforts we have remained the low cost provider. For many clients the world is harsh and demanding and this remains a tough, tough business. I’ve been traveling the States with our Sales Group leads. I’ve met with our largest clients,” he nodded to the Sales executives that beamed from their front row seats enjoying their time with him on the road. “While I hear great news from our clients on our impeccable service and on-time deliveries and general professionalism, I also hear their struggles. Many are pushing payables, delaying weeks and months over norms, which are squeezing our working capital. Working capital loans are difficult to come by right now. You’ve read about the automotive companies running short of cash and spiraling into bankruptcy because the working capital loans available to them stopped being offered.” He held his hands up and pumped his palms at the audience as if resuscitating their caught breaths. “We are not in such a straight … yet. We are immediately enforcing belt tightening. We must conserve cash wherever we can. Our investors are upset with our flat sales against our forecasts and more critical we are under our earnings targets.” The Sales executives that had been smiling before now pursed their lips. “We still have earnings so we can continue, but the trend is alarming.” He shuffled his feet, “I started out in the proverbial mail-room at this company and held most of the jobs we have in my nearly thirty years. Therefore, I know the struggle at every level. My job is to anticipate what sits ahead on our road and that road … it’s rising high up a rocky mountain. I see that to stay in place we cannot drive ahead in eighteenth gear and hope to succeed. We need to down-shift for the mountain out there in the darkness. We can still reach the milestones but we must load the trailers tight, shine the headlights bright, and put more roads below our wheels.” He took a deep breath. “We can only survive the storm hanging above that mountain by working together. We must hold all pay raises flat and trim bonuses. I’ve already cut my salary. Miss Helving is our team leader in Human Resources, Miss Helving, when did I authorize my own salary reduction?”
Miss Helving pushed herself out of her chair and breathed heavy. Her wiry hair spun out in a frizz that sparkled in the intense lights cutting down from above the conference room. She pushed her red squint-glasses farther up her wide nose, “Lawrence had us recode his salary at the end of December for this year as soon as the Finance and Accounting preliminary results came out. He canceled any stock option grants for last year and this year and turned off his bonuses.”
“Thank you Miss Helving. I’m now making as much as I did when I drove truck, oh, too many years ago to count, what with inflation it isn’t much these days.” His eyes scanned the floor, “Yes, I still keep my truck operators license up to date! That is not all I have done. I’ve cut my personal expenses down so I can get by on it. The reason is I don’t want anyone here feeling any pain that I do not, and it allows us to keep more people on at the working level; that is where the magic happens for our clients. I’d rather we work hard now than be forced to make cuts that slice through our tires and deflate the company. Shokworthe is only a company when our wheels are spinning. There will be reassignments. We will combine some departments while others will split into new projects. I expect, and so should you, that our company will look completely different by the end of the year. I’m doing this so everyone here can keep our jobs. If I were less of a CEO then I’d wait until the end of the year, see the losses, beg our investors to stay with us, lay off or downsize once or twice and hope the economy returns to fix t
hings. I’ve been through this a few times and know corporate history. We will be fine but there will be changes. I’m suggesting our top executives and director management levels look at their personal lives and see where they can make sacrifices so they can return and pledge their own bonuses and part of their salaries toward the cause. Leaders that will work as hard as any of us to keep this great company strong and rolling into the future. Thank you.”
-:-:-:-O-:-:-:-
The video clip ended and Zack pushed back from the edge of the counter. Lydia banged her hand on the counter. “That was ten this morning. Can you believe it Zack?” The computer screen shivered. “We don’t have the cash to cut.”
“We could probably cut a few things. You know you’ll have to participate since everyone else will.”
“What can we donate? No trip this year to Cartoon Land. What will we tell the kids?”
“Nothing. They will be as excited going to the local beach as riding in teacups with clowns. They will only be interested in being with us.”
“I work hard all year and look forward to our vacation trips and telling everyone at work and our friends that we are going somewhere exciting.” She stared out the patio window, “You’re going to need to get another job.”
“I wondered when that would come out.”
“What do you mean? I’m serious. We’re going to need something to pay the rent and my car.”
“When we put the kids in day care they will be that much more sick, days off from work, and we’ll be paying practically another mortgage in care fees. The car I’m driving is not a reliable commuter. So we’d need to figure on spending for a newer used car to do it.”
Cabernet Zin (The Southern California Wine Country Series) Page 12
