Read Online A Not-So-Simple Life by Melody Carlson - Free Book Online
Authors: Melody Carlson
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will play my cards close to my chest.
“Do you think I can get on commission too?” I asked eagerly. I was considering how I’d sold nearly a thousand dollars’ worth of clothes just that morning. Even a 5 percent cut would equal fifty bucks—not exactly chump change for a girl in my shoes (which were hurting my feet as usual).
“You can ask…” But even as Em said this, I could tell she was doubtful.
“Maybe after a while…”
During my lunch break I walked to the bank, the very same branch where Dad took me to open my own savings account about ten years ago. Sure, that account has only had about thirty dollars in it for the past several years, but that’s changing now. I considered hiding my cash in the house, but that’s backfired on me before. If Shannon’s in dire need of chemicals, it’s like she can actually sniff out money. Oh, I’ve been more fortunate since creating my attic getaway, but I don’t think I can be too careful when it comes to my mom.
My plan is to deposit $450 of every two-week paycheck for a total of $900 a month. That doesn’t leave me with much money for living expenses, but as long as Dad doesn’t get too far behind on child support, I should be just fine. Better than ever in fact. Since my first paycheck isn’t very big, I only put in $150. But it’s a start. According to my calculations (and I wonder if I should get some homeschool math credit for all this), I’ll have more than $5,500 by my birthday. Even more if I can deposit some money from Dad’s child-support payments.
“How much rent do you have to pay per month?” I asked Em this afternoon.
“Two hundred and fifty dollars,” she told me as she held up a silky dress and looked in the mirror.
“That’s not much,” I said hopefully.
“Well, that’s because Vic pays for part of my rent. You know, since he makes more money than I do.”
“Yeah, right…”
“I think I’m going to have to get this.” She hung the dress on the “hold” rack.
I tried not to look shocked as I glanced at the price tag. I’ve learned by now, first from Shannon and then from working here, that nothing is too expensive when it comes to style. Yeah, right. Even so, I couldn’t control myself, and knowing that Vivian was not in the building, I had to ask. “How can you afford that?” I held up the tag. “That’s more than your rent.”
Em just laughed. “It’s Tadashi,” she said, as if that explained it all.
“I know, but still.”
“And you know we have an employee discount, silly.”
I blinked. “Yeah, like 20 percent. That’s still about the same amount as you pay for a month’s rent.”
“Yes, but I can’t wear rent, now can I? And Vic is taking me to a corporate dinner where appearances are everything.” She looked slightly perplexed. “The real question is shoes.”
“Shoes?”
“Yes. I’m not sure I have the right ones for this dress.”
“What’s wrong with the ones you’re wearing?”
She laughed again. “Puhleeze.”
Just then the bell on the door tinkled, and I was relieved to go help a customer who hopefully could actually afford the clothes in here. In my opinion, a girl should never pay more than her rent for a dress she will probably wear only once. But what do I know?
As it turned out, the customers were teen girls about my age. And remembering Vivian’s wrath when the “dumpy redhead” stole the Fendi sandals, I was not letting these girls out of my sight either. They weren’t the same group as the shoplifters, and these girls looked like they could easily afford to shop here. Although I’ve only been observing fashion for a week or so, I recognized that they were wearing some pretty expensive threads. In fact these girls looked a lot like ones on The O.C. Yes, I’ll admit I used to watch that show back in middle school. Mostly due to peer pressure. I wouldn’t be caught dead watching anything like that now. I don’t care much for television in general. Unless
“Do you think I can get on commission too?” I asked eagerly. I was considering how I’d sold nearly a thousand dollars’ worth of clothes just that morning. Even a 5 percent cut would equal fifty bucks—not exactly chump change for a girl in my shoes (which were hurting my feet as usual).
“You can ask…” But even as Em said this, I could tell she was doubtful.
“Maybe after a while…”
During my lunch break I walked to the bank, the very same branch where Dad took me to open my own savings account about ten years ago. Sure, that account has only had about thirty dollars in it for the past several years, but that’s changing now. I considered hiding my cash in the house, but that’s backfired on me before. If Shannon’s in dire need of chemicals, it’s like she can actually sniff out money. Oh, I’ve been more fortunate since creating my attic getaway, but I don’t think I can be too careful when it comes to my mom.
My plan is to deposit $450 of every two-week paycheck for a total of $900 a month. That doesn’t leave me with much money for living expenses, but as long as Dad doesn’t get too far behind on child support, I should be just fine. Better than ever in fact. Since my first paycheck isn’t very big, I only put in $150. But it’s a start. According to my calculations (and I wonder if I should get some homeschool math credit for all this), I’ll have more than $5,500 by my birthday. Even more if I can deposit some money from Dad’s child-support payments.
“How much rent do you have to pay per month?” I asked Em this afternoon.
“Two hundred and fifty dollars,” she told me as she held up a silky dress and looked in the mirror.
“That’s not much,” I said hopefully.
“Well, that’s because Vic pays for part of my rent. You know, since he makes more money than I do.”
“Yeah, right…”
“I think I’m going to have to get this.” She hung the dress on the “hold” rack.
I tried not to look shocked as I glanced at the price tag. I’ve learned by now, first from Shannon and then from working here, that nothing is too expensive when it comes to style. Yeah, right. Even so, I couldn’t control myself, and knowing that Vivian was not in the building, I had to ask. “How can you afford that?” I held up the tag. “That’s more than your rent.”
Em just laughed. “It’s Tadashi,” she said, as if that explained it all.
“I know, but still.”
“And you know we have an employee discount, silly.”
I blinked. “Yeah, like 20 percent. That’s still about the same amount as you pay for a month’s rent.”
“Yes, but I can’t wear rent, now can I? And Vic is taking me to a corporate dinner where appearances are everything.” She looked slightly perplexed. “The real question is shoes.”
“Shoes?”
“Yes. I’m not sure I have the right ones for this dress.”
“What’s wrong with the ones you’re wearing?”
She laughed again. “Puhleeze.”
Just then the bell on the door tinkled, and I was relieved to go help a customer who hopefully could actually afford the clothes in here. In my opinion, a girl should never pay more than her rent for a dress she will probably wear only once. But what do I know?
As it turned out, the customers were teen girls about my age. And remembering Vivian’s wrath when the “dumpy redhead” stole the Fendi sandals, I was not letting these girls out of my sight either. They weren’t the same group as the shoplifters, and these girls looked like they could easily afford to shop here. Although I’ve only been observing fashion for a week or so, I recognized that they were wearing some pretty expensive threads. In fact these girls looked a lot like ones on The O.C. Yes, I’ll admit I used to watch that show back in middle school. Mostly due to peer pressure. I wouldn’t be caught dead watching anything like that now. I don’t care much for television in general. Unless
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