Hi my name is Alicia, my friends call me Ali. I am a married white women, 32 years old, 36c-27-36, 140 lbs, long Brunette hair that falls just above my waist line. I was a small town girl growing up.
I have been married to my husband Joe for 10 years, we met in college. Joe has an above average I.Q. and graduated high school at 16 and started college. He is now employed by a large computer company as a trouble shooter and gets called out of town alot. This pissed me off quite a bit because it was on short notice and we were trying to start a family, unsuccesfully as of yet.
I worked for a retail department store for about 7 years. I finally got promoted to manager of a new store opening up. Little did I know the position had been turned down by 2 other employees and this is where my story began.
Joe was out of town again when I got the news of my promotion on Wednesday afternoon.
Joe called that night at 8:00, "Hello."
"Hello my dear."
"Hi honey."
"What are you doing?"
"Celebrating alone."
"Celebrating alone, why?"
"Because your not here and I got a promotion."
"That's great! Sorry I could not celebrate with you."
"Me too but you have an important job."
"When do you start in your new position?"
"The store should be set up by Friday, my district manager will show me the store Monday."
"That's great."
"I'm scared, can I do this job?"
"You'll be great honey."
"Thanks for the support."
"I have to go meet with the clients now, you'll do great."
"Okay I love you."
"I love you too, bye."
"Goodnight, bye."
The next couple of days at work flew by with the meetings and instructions on how to do the paperwork. Steve the district manager, who would be my boss, invited me to dinner Friday night.
He was very polite all through dinner continuously building my confidence, he must have sensed I was nervous.
I met Steve at the office Monday morning and he took me out for coffee. Steve gave me a list of numbers and who to call in case of problems.
After our little meeting we headed for the new store. I noticed as Steve was driving we were headed toward an economically deprived area of the city, "Where is the new store?"
"On Crenshaw boulevard."
"Isn't our merchandise a little upscale for that area?"
"The company owners are trying to increase revenue, they think it is a sound bussiness decision to open stores in all areas."
"Oh, I understand."
"Don't worry it will work out fine."
We arrived at the store and we made our introductions. Steve gave the normal speech and went over company policies and what was expected of the employees, including me.
The meeting and all the policies took about 3 hours at which point Steve announced that the store would open at 9:00 tomorrow morning.
Steve and I left, once in the car I asked Steve, "Can I fire people?"
"Yes, but only with good cause."
"How do I know?" One of the hires had made me nervous.
"Any question about cause call legal."
"Okay, thanks."
There was something about Ronnie That made me nervous. I made inquiries when we got back to the office.
I reviewed his personnel file and found nothing to indicate he was a bad person no arrests, good in school, attending college.
He was 20 years old, lived at home with his mother. He tutored his brothers and sisters in school. Everything I saw indicated that he was responsible and looking to better himself. The way he glared at me during the meeting made me suspicious and tense.
The first couple of months at the new store went well. The company decision seemed to be a good one. Sales were good and more and more people seemed to be shopping here.
I was pleasantly surprised when I reviewed the first months report. I saw that Ronnie was the best sales associate. There was still something I could not pin point about Ronnie, he still made me nervous. I decided to pay attention to him for awhile.
When Ronnie was on the floor talking to customers I took a walk around the store to evaluate his sales technique. This young man had the gift of gab about him, his sales approach was unique. The woman would blush and the men would thank him, he never stepped out of bounds.
One Friday night I decided to work late and catch up on the weeks paperwork, Joe was out of town. At closing time I walk down from my office and saw that it had started to pour.
I waited in the entrance hoping it would slow to a drizzle when Ronnie walked out, "Shit! weatherman didn't say anything about rain."
"Do you have an umbrella?"
"Would have, if I known it was going to rain."
"Grab one, I'll pay for it Monday."
"That's against company policy, you trying to fire me?"
"I have no reason to fire you."
"Until you report I stole an umbrella, no thanks."
"What makes you think that?"
"I see the way your always watching me."
"You were top salesman for the first month, I was just curious as to your technique."
"Yeah, uptight white bitch in a black neighborhood."
Before I could respond there was an incredible flash of light and a loud crack of thunder, the power went out, "Shit! The kids are at home alone, moms at work."
"Let me give you a ride then."
"You can do that."
We ran out to my car and quickly jumped in. Ronnie shouted directions telling me to hurry up and drive. I pulled up in front of Ronnie's apartment house, "Wait here." He jumped out of the car and bounded up the stairs.
I don't know why I didn't just drive off, but I waited. I noticed that the lights were on in the neighborhood. Ronnie came back about five minutes later and got in the car, "Why you always eyeing me up boss lady?"
"It's Ali, and I'm not always eyeing you up."
"Sure feels like it, every time I turn around you're there."
"I told you, I was just curious as to how you made so many sales."
"I think it's because you have a hankering to try some all black beef."
"What are you talking about?"
