Unforseen

DAMAGED GOODS

 

The grand opening of our first men's wear store in a most prestigious area is unbelievably exciting. We have a prime location right in the middle section of Sanford's Mall, the latest in a string of malls being built by the Sanford Development Group. A newcomer, 4 Tall Men Shop, is across from us, may cut into our business a bit, but we aren't worried. We have gone all out with the decor while keeping everything stylish, but not crazy modern, bright lights, comfortable chairs, dressing rooms large enough to hold a corner bench. Prices are a bit high but will be swallowed without a whimper. And most of all, Paul and I got this far without a single argument. We have already made a plan that if Christmas business is as great as we expect, we're taking a cruise on The Dolphin Star for a full two weeks.

 

The Sanford Group arranged a stupendous opening of the mall. Jerry Fine, comedian, will do a shtick on the top platform of the circular staircase. Mary Southerland, America's Sweetness, will sing a medley from her new album Hot Stuff, a Rock band, a few messages from the San ford Group and we will be on our way to success.

 

Two days before the festivities, Paul paces, wrings his hands. 'Where are they?' he wails over and over. Our shipment of sport coats is lost, or stolen. He's on the phone to Sanford, to the trucking company most of the day. 'Don't worry, Sir. You'll have those coats by morning.' The shipper is right. The coats come in bent boxes. Several coats are damaged, mostly the belly sizes. The 38s and 40s have to go back.

 

The Hush Puppy Shoes arrive the morning of our opening. All of our help pitches in to arrange the shelves by style and size, put up the display on the floor.

 

The Hush Puppy Shoes arrive the morning of our opening. All of our help pitches in to arrange the shelves by style and size, put up the display on the floor.  Our big leader, all wool gab slax, sizes 34 to 42, is short the 42s.  Paul cusses, uses foul words that I don't like. He goes in the stock room and cusses all he wants.

 

The office he allowed for us is cramped and smells of the cigarettes he tries to hide from me. To open the safe in the morning, one of us has to almost lie on the floor because stock is piled in still unopened cartons. It becomes clear before the Christmas bells ring for the last time in the mall, that I can't work so many hours, do all the book work, have dinner for us when we get home about 10 p.m.

 

A young, attractive customer comes in hoping to find a soft calf wallet for her Dad. Paul waits on her, goes out of the way to smile, give her a break on after Christmas sale prices. She buys a black one for her father and brown for her brother. Something hackles my spine, my ears perk up. Miss Cutie is looking for part time work. Paul asks if she can type accurately, knows anything about bookkeeping, is she available for two evenings a week at minimum wage? Gloriosky ! I can see joy, relief sparkle in my husband's eyes. Kitty is hired. Kitty is a devil, a conniving, rotten devil. Her horns fit Paul like angora gloves.

 

No two week cruise, no partners forever. Paul is in a new category next to the stained slax---'DAMAGED GOODS'