Page 32 of In the Long Run
‘No, I mean, that would be great, thank you, but I had something else in mind.Actually, it was Gen’s idea.’
She squirms next to me, and the heat from her body seeps through my jeans and puffer vest.I didn’t want to be overdressed, but I didn’t think my standard daily outfit of a tracksuit was appropriate either.
‘I was hoping Get Fit, Get Strom might partner with Alizée’s.Encourage members of Croissants and Kilometres—’
‘Croissants and what now?’Meredith holds up her hands, her eyes alight with glee.
‘You could call the run club Croissants and Kilometres—’ Gen explains but I cut her off.
‘Or you could name it after Get Fit, Get Strom.’It sounds gracious but let’s face it, I need them more than they need me.
Gen leans forward and explains the cross-promotion opportunities.Her excitement is building, leaching out in haphazard hand movements and words that run into each other.‘No one wants to see Alizée’s disappear forever,’ she finishes, tilting her head and looking at me over her shoulder.‘It’s an institution.Part of our local history and future.Same with Eugene.’
‘Sounds like it’s pretty personal for you,’ Bernie says to me.
My gut tells me they’re already on board, but I don’t want to leave anything to chance.It’s great that they’re interested, but interest isn’t a promise.Hope is most valuable when it’s followed by action, at least in my experience.No way am I missing out on this opportunity because I didn’t give them enough.
‘When I was younger, Eugene took me in and helped me find a way to make the best of a terrible situation.Alizée’s was a huge part of that.I’d meet him there after school and as soon as I was old enough to work, I did shifts there.Cleaning, coffees, whatever was required, because he knew I needed to be kept busy.And I’m not the only one.Eugene’s always done everything he could to help everyone.’The whirr of the overhead heater kicks in, a blast of hot air hitting my face.I tug at the collar of my jumper.‘I don’t want to leave here knowing that I didn’t do everything I could to try and save Alizée’s for him.’
Gen’s hand lands on my forearm and when our eyes meet, hers hold a mixture of emotions.Sorrow,definitely.Curiosity,absolutely.But the one that makes me straighten my spine, square my shoulders is determination.
‘Brand Bolton’s trying to force them out of business, too,’ she says.
‘Ugh, that man,’ Bernie groans.‘You should’ve led with that.’
‘Croissants and Kilometres it is.’Meredith stands and turns to Bernie.
‘Oh no,’ he says, dropping his head into his hands.
‘Oh no, what?’Gen asks.
‘She’s going to want to get shirts made up now.’
‘People love merchandise!We could sell them and split the profits!’
‘This is how it starts,’ Bernie says, but when he lifts his head, he shoots me a wink.
And just like that, I know this is going to work.
Herding cats would be easier than this.
‘Can you not?’I swat at Yeti’s hand and push him away from the tray of roast potatoes I’ve just pulled out of the oven.I put them down next to the marketing proposal and branding plan I’ve spent the last three days working on for Croissants and Kilometres.
‘What if they’re poisonous?I’m doing you a favour.Some might even call me a hero.’
‘No one thinks you’re a hero, Yeti,’ Celeste calls from the lounge.
‘Plenty of women would disagree with that statement,’ he slings right back at her as he reaches for another potato.
I toss a can of Gravox at him, whistling when he fumbles the catch because I know it will shit him.‘Make that.’
‘Eugene, Knox’s making gravy from a can.You gonna stand for that in your house?Want me to kick his ass for you?’
Eugene shifts in the armchair, his leg stretched out in front of him on top of a new ottoman that Celeste bought him from Kmart.She’s sitting on the arm of the chair, showing him something on her phone.‘Go for it,’ he replies.‘Just don’t make a mess.Explain to me again what I’m looking at here?’he asks Celeste.
Yeti flicks a tea towel at my side.‘Oy, is Gen coming?’
To our standing Wednesday night dinner that I normally attend via FaceTime?‘No.’
