He answered after the first ring. "Dean you have a minute? I need you."
I heard a grunt and groan on the other end of the line. I checked my watch. It was past mid afternoon. 'He must have just gotten up.' After a minute he answered again but this time sounding more awake.
"Hey princess... is everything ok?" He yawned. "Dean I need your opinion but its business related, do you think you have the mental capacity right now to think or do you need me to call you back?"
"No I can think. What is weighing you down?" I briefly explained my situation and the solutions we thought of. "Do you happen to have any better ideas or solutions to this problem?"
I heard slight scratching, as if he was rubbing his head and messing with his hair. "Your launch is in how many days again?"
"Two weeks from now. But to ensure each location has the boxes in addition to our warehouse for online orders we would need to be ready at least 3 days before then for expedited shipping."
"You just need the gold embossed on the lid of the box right? If its similar to how I would stamp the wine sleeves from my dads winery then I could do it for you. My warehouse team is enough manpower to get it done before then."
"You don't have any other orders needed or projects your team is working on?"
"Right now our harvest is expected to be done mid-August. So this window right now is the best time as we will we starting the production process once we begin the harvest so we can see just how many bottles we will need."
"I just need you to forward me the design you want stamped and I will have the trucks come out tonight to get the boxes from your inventory storehouse. We should be able to start as soon as tomorrow morning."
I grabbed ahold of the desk and sat down as my legs gave out under me. This has never happened before in the few years I have been running this brand. Initially I thought about asking my parents prior to asking Dean. But I hesitated. My mom has a habit where if I struggled or failed at something she would want to take over until she felt I was ready to take the reins again.
My Dad was worse. He would have let his other business ventures suffer if it meant getting what I wanted or needed. I found out the hard way of his little habit back in middle school and vowed to keep that from repeating itself. I knew it was out of love but I would never be able to learn if I did not solve my own problems myself.
I considered Deans help separate from my parents as I would owe him a favor versus my family where they would not accept any type of repayment.
"Dean I really appreciate it. I yet again owe you big time."
"Consider this squared out from when I was drunk both last night and at my families gala event. I am sure dealing with me when I am in that state is hell so this makes us even."
Ahh that was true. "Ok sounds good with me."
We re-adjourned the meeting and informed everyone of the plans. I called the warehouse workers to get all the boxes packaged and counted so they can be sent and recounted once they returned.
By the time Deans trucks came in for the product it was close to sunset. The drive home was welcomed as all the adrenaline crashed and fatigue took over. Thinking about todays events made me realize something.
'If I want to be an adult I need to handle my own problems head on. I need to learn to deal with people I don't like.'
I was always in a position to avoid being dealt a bad hand. But I needed to get my head out of the clouds and onto the ground. I formulated an email letting Zhavia know to respond to the email and accept the interview.
I decided to look up interview strategies and better inform myself of current women in power to be ready for whatever she throws at me.
I entered my house and was just about to announce my presence when the soft whir of the TV stopped me in my tracks.
I walked in gingerly until I saw a lump lying in the couch in the living room. Upon closer inspection the auburn hair messily peeking out from the edge gave away that it was my Dad fast asleep. I kneeled down and gently lifted the throw blanket he was using to cover himself.
He did not even budge and snored peacefully. Only when he had a late day would he fall asleep wherever he got comfortable.
'Aww... seems we both had a long day today.' Just as I settled the blanket back to covering his face I noticed another lump on the other couch that was conjoined with his. The long dark braid spilling out onto the pillow indicated my mom was also down here as well. Though based on her setup it seemed she joined a bit after he fell asleep since she was actually in her pajamas and had a proper pillow and blanket with her.
I smiled at the scene. Ever since I was little my parents were always very affectionate with one another. My father tried to ensure my mother was never alone and had everything she needed. My mother did the same.
Even at their current age they stuck together, not even wanting to sleep one night without the other nearby.
I tiptoed upstairs as quietly as possible to not wake them. Each step I took, I felt my smile widen and deepen at the antic of my parents. 'I bet it is just like heaven to have a relationship like that.'
I was not necessarily someone who felt I needed a partner but seeing the dynamic between my parents made me appreciate just how much love and kindness one could shower another with. And if I get lucky and find my soulmate, I would want them to be wholeheartedly devoted to me like my family is.
I suppose being cheated on amplified that desire. But at least I had wonderful examples that good examples of a stable marriage and partnership exist. 'If only.'