Page 95 of Still Bruised
“You could take an occasional day off, too,” Paulie added.
“I get every Sunday off,” Jude said.
“Most people don’t work six days a week.”
“They do if they’re the owner.”
“If you had a shit crew, I’d understand you wanting to be here all the time, but we can handle things without you every so often. You need to relax. I’m surprised you haven’t already burnt out a couple of times.”
“I take time off when I need it,” Jude said.
“Rarely,”Paulie griped. His frown faded into an expression of concern. “Do you not trust me?”
“Of course I trust you,” Jude replied.
“I know I didn’t agree with all the changes—and I was vocal about a lot of it. But I’ve seen the light—and you know that.”
“I’m aware you’re fully on board, Paulie.”
Before anyone knew about the Alzheimer’s, his father had started burning through customers, losing them to newer, nicer butchers or the local grocery stores. Jude had understood why. He’d begged his father to invest and upgrade the place, but he kept getting the‘I just remodeled a few years ago’line. A few years had actually been well over twenty but even that truth hadn’t gotten through his dad’s thick skull.
Sales had been slipping for some time. Between that and the constant repairs they were calling in for their old equipment and cases, a refresh had been desperately needed. Once his father’s memory loss had reached a certain point, Jude was handed the keys and full ownership.
In the lucid moments, he’d discussed the changes he’d wanted to make veiled in the story of helping a friend open their own shop. It had been the only way to get the feedback Jude had needed without pushback or adding anxiety onto his dad’s shoulders. His father had been in business for decades and his know-how had been invaluable—and surprisingly creative at times.
Not only that, but he’d learned his father had bought the building next door years before, with the intent to expand the business. Some of his father’s plans were eerily close to ones Jude had suggested. With that knowledge, Jude formulated a plan he sensed his father would’ve approved of.
Few on the team who’d worked during that seismic shift had been too happy about the changes in store, especially when they’d had to close for a month to gut the place and rebuild.While he’d paid everyone through that month to ensure they knew he was serious about them returning, he’d still lost two people due to fear and reluctance to change.
Paulie had been his most vocal opponent. They’d gone nose-to-nose a few times, but Jude hadn’t stayed angry long. He knew Paulie was a loyal employee who simply wanted to ensure the business stuck around as long as possible. A lot of his concerns had been legitimate ones that Jude had worried about, as well.
Luckily for Jude, he provedallthe naysayers wrong, including Paulie.
After seeing the new, expanded high-end shop and then watching the business grew exponentially within the first few months, Paulie had finally gotten with the program. He’d admitted he’d been wrong and apologized, and he’d not been the only one. Since then, Paulie had worked his ass off every single day and was usually a hundred percent behind Jude’s decisions. In the rare moments he wasn’t, his debate was respectful and done in private.
There was no one at the business Jude trusted more, and that was saying a lot, given his incredible team. It was time to honor and reward that. “I have no idea what I’d do with another day off, but I suppose I could give it a try every so often.Afterthe holidays, that is.”
“Maybe you could spend some days off with your new friend,” Paulie said.
Jude froze.“Who?”
“The guy that came busting out of the alley a few ago,” Paulie answered. “Mr. Mercedes.”
Jude’s face burned. Had the whole team saw Foster leave?
Fuck.
“I didn’t get a good look at him. He pulled his hood up too fast.”
Jude relaxed, glad to hear that.
Paulie grinned. “But the California license plate was a bit of a giveaway. You should tell Foster it’s time to get Jersey plates back on that ride of his.” Paulie searched Jude’s face. “That is…ifhe’s planning to stay and not go back out there.”
“He’s planning to stay,” Jude said, hoping that was as close to an admission as he needed to make. “As far as I know.”
Paulie smiled. “I’ve never seen anyone coming out of your place in the morning. It makes me wonder if this is serious?”
“No,” Jude replied. “It’s not.”
