Welcome to Great Falls – A Serial Novel – Part 22

November 6, 2014, Thursday

The light breeze wicked the sweat off Dennis’s torso and gave him a good chill on his arms. Vanessa clutched at her sleeves. She had just walked into the gym and had yet to warm up when she ran into him and he asked for her to go outsde again. At his car, he took five crisp hundred dollars out of the glove compartment and handed it to her.

“Have you thought about going to meetings?” Vanessa asked.

“I have, but I don’t know what it’ll do for me.”

“I’ve been researching them a little bit. Most of them only last for about an hour or so, depending on how many people are in the group. I’ll go with you if you want someone there.”

“Serious?”

“Yes, of course, I want you to be okay.”

Dennis said he would think about it.

***

Amy sat behind a pile of junk mail and trade magazines in her cramped office in McNally’s. She had been reviewing radio spots and social media coordinators for the restaurants and bars. However, the main thing on her mind was possibly laying off half a dozen employees at each of the restaurants, but with an undertaking of that size, she knew the final decision would be up Kao, who was notorious for not wanting to let any of his employees go.

“Around this time of year?” Kao asked incredulously.

“We’re in the red the last couple months.”

“I’m not doing that, especially not this time of year.”

“I figured, but I just wanted to let you know,” she said. “Keep you informed.”

“Thank you for that,” Kao said. “Can you give me a list of employees and what you think their bonuses should be?”

Amy knew to lowball the numbers, because Kao always made adjustments and overpaid. It was just his nature

“Another matter, because I know how much you like him,” Amy said.

“Go ahead.”

“George and I think Hector is stealing from the bar.”

“How so?”

“Little things. We’re going through fries and onion rings way too fast. Inventory isn’t matching up with sales.”

“What’s wrong with him?”

“I don’t know. He did have a kid about a year ago.”

“Set up a meeting with him tomorrow for me.”