Damaged Goods by Diane McNab - HTML preview

CHAPTER NINE

ZAC DAWSON

GROWING UP

Year 10 High School was ending and Zac was well aware there was no point in attempting Years 11 and 12.

“Mum can we talk?”

“Sure, what do you want to talk about?”

“Well school is ending and I need to think about what I am going to do. I know I don't have skills that would strike anyone as sensational on a resume but I also know that there is no point in going any further to another grade” said Zac.

Summer looked at her Son and was in complete agreeance with his analogy.

So she answered honestly. “Well you have recognised that doing another year or two in School is pointless and that in itself proves you are smart. However, you do have the gift of the gab and your wonderful looks, perhaps you should pursue sales?”

Zac started working in sales at several establishments but never felt like he quite fitted in.

A few years passed and he eventually found a job working at a furniture store answering phones, doing filing and generally everything else a dog's body does. At the end of a day he would fiddle around with some of the furniture, placing a fake pot plant just so, and rearranging whole settings.

Tom, the owner of the store, arrived and immediately noticed the difference. “Well, well, well, I go on vacation for four weeks and come back to an astounding change, one I very much like. What the hell is going on?”

Stella, one of the Floor Manager's said “Thank young Zac here, he loves to muck around at the end of a day rearranging everything to look new for the next.”

Tom stuck his hand out and said “Nice to meet you young fella, let's have a little chat.”

Tom had been around the block in his day and recognised the potential in Zac. His furniture store was his pride and joy but it had always looked like a factory outlet. Yes, Tom did not sell high end furniture, but he had never considered putting together a lounge suite on the floor and placing items such as candles on a coffee table or draping a throw over a lounge to give the effect of a room.

Zac had also created a bedroom in another area, the pillows plumped to perfection with the smell of a rose candle wafting through.

“I call this summertime” Zac said a little shyly.

“I call it fucking genius” said Tom “and you young man I want to employ as an on floor Interior Designer.”

“Mum, Mum, guess what?” said Zac bursting through the door.

After explaining how his day had panned out Summer stated “I am so proud of you. I always believed you would find your niche and you have.”

Sales had escalated and Tom decided to open another store reflecting on the fact that it could be a win or lose endeavour. He had purchased the space in a rather more high end scale neighbourhood and because of such had endured a few sleepless nights, however, he had decided to forge ahead and take the risk.

“So the new store has more floor space, are you up to showcasing it?” asked Tom.

“Bring it on” was Zac's reply.

The front of the building had six large windows enabling Zac to create a separate room in each of them. However, for the opening day he covered all the windows in draped calico with a huge sign on the outside of the building declaring

“NEW STORE OPENING 50% DISCOUNT FOR ONE DAY ONLY”

It was 8.25am and Tom and Zac stood outside the front of the store. There was already a small crowd standing with them. Zac looked at Tom and said “wait here” and disappeared in to the front entrance.

At exactly 8.30am Zac pulled all the calico blinds up in one foul sweep. All the six windows were empty.

“What the................?” asked Tom when Zac came outside grinning.

“Everyone now wants to go inside, trust me” said Zac.

And he was right.

A couple of people nearly came to fisty cuffs over a coffee table, lounge or pillows. Zac couldn't actually remember which but gratifyingly heard the cash register playing a wonderful tune.

“Jesus you nearly gave me a bloody heart attack” declared Tom.

After that day business was booming and Zac felt his confidence soar.

One day Zac suggested to Tom that they put out buckets of flowers for sale in the morning.

“We are not a florist, why the hell would we want to do that?” asked Tom.

“Well people passing by might have a birthday or an occasion to attend and maybe, just maybe, they stop and have a look inside and decide that today is the day to buy a new dining suite when they see what's on offer” Zac replied.

He was right again.

Three years passed and Zac felt in his element. Tom gave him free range and Zac ran with it.

“I am thinking of opening another store Zac, what do you reckon?”

Once again Zac raced home telling his Mum and Madge the news.

“Well” Summer said “why don't you ask to be made partner in the third store?”

“Whoa Mum, steady on, I reckon that is a little out of my price range.”

“Not necessarily” said Summer “I can fund you and you can accept it as a gift from me.”

“I can't accept that” said Zac.

“Yes you can” Summer said emphatically “look around you, I have more than I need here and also my dabbling in painting has served me well. Madge and I are as happy as pigs in mud, aren't we Madge?” Before Madge could answer Summer looked and her and said “Unless you would prefer a first class trip around the world?”

“Thanks but no thanks” said Madge “I would much rather be a pig in mud” making the strangest squealing sound.

The three of them burst out laughing.

Summer had never told Zac about Grayson's will. In actual fact when she had ended her relationship with Grayson for a long time she dreaded receiving an eviction notice. Ethan had told her she was worrying needlessly as the almighty Dr. Collins would never kick his Mistress and Son out in to the street.

The day Summer received the Deed to the house she looked at it carefully finally believing she was where she belonged.

“So young man have you thought about a third store opening?” asked Tom.

Crunch time thought Zac and said “I think it is a brilliant idea and was hoping that you might consider me to be made partner. I know I am still young but I understand my strengths and weaknesses. I think we would make a formidable team, what do you say to that?”

“I say yes” said Tom slapping Zac hard on the back.

Tom's Wife was more than happy to hear the news and wholeheartedly supported the venture.

The third store was flashier than the other two. A semi circle of bay windows surrounded the exterior. Zac worked on the front windows with precision ensuring that each exuded opulence and that tiny details were added which perhaps no-one else would have thought of doing.

Soon after Zac moved in to his first apartment.

Remembering the first day Zac went to School Madge shuddered wondering how Summer was going to feel.

“Well he is definitely at an age where he needs to spread his wings” said Summer happily.

“Known the woman for years” thought Madge “and I still don't know her at all.”