I move my body, changing position to keep my shoulder from locking. Is the fire department even coming, or was Connie screwing with me?
“Maisey, this is epic. Congrats to you. How about if I come by later, you know, once my arm isn’t attached to my toilet, and I can interview you for the last print edition for the paper? We’ll make sure to drive traffic your way for the final edition.”
“Oh, that’s right. I heard. Morris stopped by after the meeting witheveryone on the paper. Are you going to be okay?”
“Sure. I'm like a cockroach, I’m resilient.”
“I really hope that’s not your spirit animal. Look, I appreciate the offer for the paper and the write-up, and I’ll take it, yes please, but I was calling because I wanted to hire you.”
“Hire me?”
“I want you to be the official ambassador and social media influencer for The Sweet Spot, if you’re willing?”
I was on the floor, floored. “Are you serious?”
“One hundred fifty million percent. Freya and I agree you’d be perfect, but there’s a catch.”
“Always is. Hit me.”
“When Freya lined this up, we thought we’d both be able to go. However, the television station called yesterday to set the date for the interview. It’s happening in three days.”
“Three days?”
“Yep. It was supposed to be in two weeks’ time, but they had a slot open up and can fit us in sooner. Thing is, Freya’s out of town until next week and I’m needed this week at the restaurant for some private events we’re catering.”
My stomach lurches. “You know, I’m thrilled to do it, Maisey. I want to do it, but the timing is impeccable. If you need me to drive to Charlotte, I won't be able to. My car went into the shop a few days ago.”
“That’s fine. I was going to ask if you’d ride along in the food truck, so you can post the whole time. You see, there’s a cool twist to this…the food truck is an old RV that has been quite lovingly refurbished—it’s made entirely from recycled materials.”
“Great angle.”
“That’s not all. I wanted this to also be a project for the community, so I’m going to pick a local charity each monththat ten percent of our proceeds will be donated to. I want this to be adding more good to the world, you know?”
If I could sit up taller, I would. A part of me flickered with jealousy, hearing Maisey’s idea. It was noble and inspiring. I wish I’d had it.
“That sounds amazing, Maisey. I’d love to represent the Red Bird, do the interview, and I’m happy to post, post, post away all day for you!”
“Thank you, Ari.” I hear what sounds like a sigh of relief. “Thank you so much. Send me your rates, we’ve got you covered no matter what.”
I look at my hand in its ceramic prison. “Tell you what, as soon as I’m free I’ll come by and we’ll work out the details.”
“Sounds fabulous,” Maisey exclaims before asking me to hold for a moment while she answers her other line.
They say timing is everything, and wow. Truth. I’ve been under financial stress lately— thank you, school loans—and having my car go into the shop right as I find out my job is on the line hasn’t done me any favors in the confidence department. I don’t want to get too excited, but I swear I already feel my worries beginning to slide off my back.
When Maisey clicks back over, I remember we have one more item of business we need to figure out. “I usually hire a photographer to work with me for campaigns like yours. Do you have the budget for this? I can find someone, but I'll warn you, it is last minute. Fees could be a bit higher than usual, but I’ll see what I can do.”
“Actually, I’ve already hired someone. He’ll be making the donuts and taking some photos, too. In fact you probably remember him. Carter Snowden is going with you.”
I’m sorry, did I hear her right?
“I think the line broke up. Did you say Carter Snowden?”
“I did,” she responds. “Weren’t you two on the high school newspaper together? You know him, right?”
Oh, I know him alright. Carter Snowden. My brother's best friend and the unknowing object of my affections for years.
I grew up following him and my brother, Reid, around. All the time. Everywhere. If they were hanging out and playing pool in our basement, I was there to fetch them cold drinks and maybe get the chance to play, too. If our family took a summer vacation, Reid always brought Carter with him. I like to think I started writing for the school paper because I wanted to, but a part of me has to admit that I signed up because Carter was the staff photographer.
