We left Uncle Ray's cabin a day early. I wanted to stop by with Amy at Goldstar and introduce her to Dawn and Julie.
Both meetings and introductions go well. I ask Ezzie to have Dawn take Amy under her wing if you will. I want to be sure she learns all the day to day stuff of the business, and to be sure she gets some houses to sell. She is pleasant enough, but I want to be sure Amy learns the business and is successful.
Julie I am not worried about. She is so excited to have Amy doing some appearances. A new pretty face, and a success story for the charity. We walk out and I realize as I look around the parking lot Amy will need a car. "Hang on. I forgot to ask Julie something." I head back to Julie. "Julie, could the charity supply Amy with a company car?" I ask.
"We could." She says.
That's all I want to hear. "Ezzie, in case anyone asks Julie, she remembers saying yes we could get Amy a company car." I say to Ezzie.
"Thanks, Julie." I say as I turn and walk back out. I swear Zeena looks up at me, upset with the in and out.
I get outside and smile at Amy. "Come on. We need to make a stop." I say.
I drive to the Cadillac dealer where I got my car. We pull in and Amy looks at me. "What are we doing here?" She asks.
"If you are going to be selling real estate, and representing my charity you need a car." I say.
"Mary! I can't. It's too much." She says.
"You can drive a company car. I am not giving you a car. I am letting you use a company car while you are working for the charity." I say.
"Mary." She says.
"Come on." I say as I get out. Amy catches up to me by the time I get to the door. I look back at Marj's office. Zeena seems to remember and trots back to her office.
I hear Marj gasp in surprise. "Woah! And who are you?" She asks Zeena as she looks up and sees me. "Is this little...". She trails off forgetting her name.
"Zeena." I say.
She turns to Zeena giving some lovin's. "You aren't a ball of fluff anymore."
Zeena nuzzles against her and wags her entire body. Marj looks at me. "So what can I do for you, Mary?" She asks.
I am impressed she remembered my name. I motion to Amy. "This is my good friend Amy. She is going to be working for Goldstar and doing appearances for my charity. We need to set her up with a company car." I say.
"Absolutely. Would that be a car or an SUV?" She asks.
I look at Amy as if to ask "Well?"
"Um a car I guess." Says Amy.
"Ok." Marj says. "Follow me." Marj looks at me. "And this is for your charity, Ben & Karen's Kids?" She asks. "Registered in the charity name?"
I reach into my purse and pull out one of my business cards, and hand it to her. "Yes, Marj for Ben & Karen's Kids." I say.
Marj looks at me. "Because I love your charity. I will give it to you at cost, if I can add a 'Provided By' decal on the back."
"What do you mean by a decal?" I ask.
Marj runs her hand across the back of the trunk lid on one side. "Provided to Ben & Karen's Kids by Marj's Cadillac. And I want a picture of us to put on my wall next to your Dad's." Says Marj.
"You have a picture of my Dad?" I ask, smiling.
She points back towards her office. "Just outside my office to the left." She says.
I can't help walking back to her office. There are a few pictures on the wall. There he is. A picture of her with Mom & Dad standing in front of the last car he bought. They are looking at the camera smiling as Marj drops the keys in his hand. I turn and look at Marj. "Can I have a copy?" I ask.
She smiles at me. "Absolutely. I will give you a copy of both."
We walk back to Amy. It looks like Amy really likes the car she is looking at. Amy looks up at me. "Are you sure?"
I laugh. "Hey, a deal is a deal. Plus did you see how excited Julie is? You can't back out now." I say.
"Can we have this one?" Amy asks.
Marj walks over to the passenger side, and pulls a tag off the window. "Done! I need two days for prep and the decal." Marj looks at me. "Shall I call Mike for the paperwork?" She asks.
"No, call the office number on my card. Ask for Julie. She will handle the paperwork, and then call Amy when it's ready. I will be out of town for the summer. She can come and get it." I say.
Marj waves someone over. "Well if you aren't picking it up I need a picture before you leave." Marj says as she starts to pose us in front of the car. "Me and you. The young lady behind Ben & Karen's Kids."
I wave over Amy. "And our first graduate." I say putting my arms around both of them as one of the sales people takes a few pictures of us.
We get home, and Auntie is waiting to pounce. She has a big smile on her face, but I know it's fake. She is hiding her concern from Amy. "Mary, can I talk to you in the office? I want to go over your travel plans." She says.
I walk into the office with her as Amy heads to the kitchen. Auntie turns and looks at me. "Seriously a car?" She asks in a lowered voice.
"Come on. We just left the dealership." I say. "So Marj calls Julie like I told her to, or did she call Mike and then he called you. Do you guys have a hotline set up to rat me out every time I do something?" I ask. That pushed it too far.
"Hey! Don't get smart with me." Says Auntie sternly. "And yes Marj called Mike when Julie didn't answer." She looks out towards the kitchen. "You've given her a place to live. Your Uncle has already ordered furniture for the house."
"Really!" I say surprised.
"Did you think we were going to have her sleep on the floor?" Says Auntie. "And now a Car!"
"She has been my best friend at school. She has Always been there for me, no matter what. She has no one. I had to help." I say.
I can see Auntie's face soften. "No more. She needs to learn to take care of herself. You have done more than your share. Am I clear?" Says Auntie.
I hug her tight. "You are, Thank You."
