Clover Village

Chapter 15 - Business Tourist

JESSE

"It is a great deal. All of this in every department store in the country. Your revenue will be so big that you will retire by the time you are 40," the man in front of me says.

"I can't produce that many pieces," I say, feeling hesitant.

"You won't need to move a finger. Your designs will be translated flawlessly by machines. Now, if you sign here, I will come next week with your first check," he says, handing me a pen.

This contract could mean our financial independence. Eric won't have to work so hard, and everybody will know about what we do. I grab the pen and sign my name on the papers.

"You won't regret it. You will become a rich man, Mr. eh... Garnett."

The man turns around and then I see Eric behind him. Eric grabs the papers forcefully and tears them into pieces.

"What are you doing?" I shout at him.

"Get out of the fucking shop and make sure that you disappear before I call the police! We don't need business scum like you in Clover!" Eric yells at the man.

The man hurries out of the store, and Eric looks at me with an angry face.

"Are you out of your fucking mind? Do you even understand what was that about?" He yells at me.

"It was our chance to make more money," I shout back.

"Why are you two fighting?" Sue says as she comes into the store.

"Jesse signed a contract giving away the rights to our merchandise," Eric says.

"Why did you do that without consulting me?" She says.

"It is also my fucking store!" I say.

"You make merchandise, but you do not know how this place works," Sue says.

"You make deals with suppliers all the time. You never consult with Eric or me," I say.

"I buy paper rolls for the register, packaging materials, and bags. I have never made a production deal for our crafts," she says.

"Is that what you want? To make crafts forever?" I say.

"Jesse, I understand you have ambitions, and if you want to have your pottery mass-produced, I will support you. But a venture like that needs to be checked by a lawyer. This guy is a scammer, and you signed those documents carelessly," Eric says.

I feel so embarrassed. I only wanted to do something good for us.

"How do you know it is a scam? It could have been real."

"You are so fucking stubborn. That man tried to buy the recipe for Old Simon's bourbon. Simon is a seasoned businessman and asked for the contract to show to his lawyer. The man got all nervous and said that it was only a rough draft and that he couldn't leave it behind. Simon called his bluff, saying that a few minutes before he wanted him to sign the draft contract. Simon threatened him with calling the police. You are just his next victim."

"What do you have in those bags?" I say to Sue.

"Some paintings made by Harry. I will display them together with our stuff tomorrow. I also want to sell his stuff here."

"And you decide that without telling us?" I say, feeling pissed.

"Jesse, we are getting a commission on each piece sold. I'm not investing a cent on this, and we are helping a friend. Don't take the frustration of your dumb decisions on me."

I feel so mad now. I walk outside and head to the center.

"Where are you going?" Eric shouts behind me.

"What do you fucking care?"

I keep walking at a brisk pace and end up at the café. I take a seat at the bar. The place is quite empty as it is not yet dinner time.

"You look like you could use a drink."

I look beside me to see Karina behind the bar. She then takes a shot glass and fills it with a clear liquid. I drink it. It tastes like vodka with some fruit flavor. I place the glass on the bar, and she fills it again.

"I had a fight with my siblings."

"Oh yeah, the carpenter was here this morning. The other one is the girl that does the granny stuff. What could those two have done to bother you?" Karina says mockingly that annoys me a bit.

I give her a brief run of what happened. She comes around the bar and sits on the stool next to me. She then holds my hand in hers.

"What are you doing?" I say.

"Comforting you," she says, rubbing my hand with her thumbs.

"I don't think Victor would appreciate this."

"That fool dragged me to this village and since then he only has eyes for this greasy place," Karina says in a bitter tone.

"I still don't think it is appropriate," I say, pulling my hand.

"Well then let's drink then to your problems," she says, giving me the shot glass.

"I don't think that is a good idea," I hear a female voice say.

I lift my gaze and see Sierra. She throws some bills on the bar and grips my arm.

"What do you think you are doing?" Karina says to her.

"That is none of your business."

Sierra brings me outside and instead of walking home, we head to the center.

"Are you also going to tell me I was a fool?" I say.

"I don't need to."

The town is bustling with activity. The stalls are being built together with pens for prize farm animals. We take a seat on a bench.

"They know you want to help," Sierra says.

"Then why they don't let me?" I say, feeling frustrated.

"They would if you show a bit more interest in what happens in the business."

"I also work in the store," I say, almost whining.

"You know how to work the cash register and help a customer. Do you know how to work the books or update the inventory system?"

I open my mouth to say something, but the truth is that I don't.

"They have never asked for my help."

"Sue and Eric love you and want you happy. They know that when you are creating, you are at your happiest. Therefore, they let you enjoy that instead of bothering you with business stuff."

"How do you know these things?"

"I asked them," she says and shrugs.

"I need to apologize."

"They already forgave you," Sierra says, caressing my cheek.

"You must think that I'm an idiot."

Sierra kisses me while lacing her fingers with mine.

"I don't kiss idiots," she says while pulling me up the bench.

We walk home hand in hand. As we pass Old Simon's café, Karina spots us. I stop walking and cup Sierra's face to give her a tender kiss. I then hear the noise of glass crashing in the café and a loud curse.