4. Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Ben

I t's early in the morning, and I'm waiting for my brother Danny to get breakfast at Over the Roast. I have the biggest crush on the owner, but she never gives me the light of day. The thing is, I think she's enamored with the Mayor of Woodland Falls, Gene Mitchell. I really hate that guy. He's overbearing and a philanderer. I certainly didn't vote for him, but the women in town love him.

My brother pulls up in his truck and waves hello to me. My hands are safely tucked inside my jacket because it's really cold out this time of year. He gets out of his vehicle and slaps me on the back.

"You look like a popsicle. Why didn't you wait in your car?"

"I just didn't."

I give myself away when I glance inside the shop.

"Ah, checking out the hot girl. Did that keep you warm in this weather?"

"No. Don't be an ass."

"Come on, let's go in. I'm hungry."

We go inside the shop and smile at Sam, the owner. She seems surprised by my smile. I go over to what has become my favorite table because, from there, I can see what Sam is doing at all times. I'm reminded of the conversation I heard between the Mayor and Sam, and I get angry all over again. As soon as I sit down, I start the same conversation I've had with my brother for the past few months.

"Which one of us is going to run for mayor?"

"Oh my god, why are you bringing that up again?"

"He's a manipulative jerk and shouldn't be in a position of power in our town."

"What did he do now?"

The server comes over to our table and asks for our order. I give her my usual order and my brother asks what she recommends. He then orders something for himself and some pastries to go for his wife, Merry. She works at her parent's store, Kringle’s, where it's Christmas all year long. Honestly, I don't know how they stay afloat, but that's not my concern.

I'm a little disappointed that Sam didn't come over to take our order. I never get much opportunity to talk to her. She's always on the go, doing something or other for her business. I really admire her. Being a business owner is no joke.

"Would Michael or Justin be up for it?"

"Nah, if you want someone to run for mayor, you'll have to do it yourself."

I see Sam approaching us with a tray, and I try to stop frowning. She says hello, and I say it back. When I remember my manners, I introduce my brother Danny as well. She looks so beautiful today. I can't stop staring at her. My brother keeps giving me weird looks. Once our order is on the table she slips a piece of paper on there as well.

I'm too busy looking at her angelic face to see what the paper says. Then she looks at me and says something about talking to me later. I'm thunderstruck, but all I can do is give her my brightest smile. She smiles back and leaves us to our meal.

"You're acting like an idiot, Ben. If you want to get her attention, you'd better step up your game."

Still in a daze, I don't pay much attention to what my brother is saying. I focus on the paper Sam dropped on our table and frown again.

"This. This is what I'm talking about."

I hand Danny the paper with the invitation to a Christmas Mixer on the 23rd of December.

"Hey, maybe you can find someone at this event."

"I saw Mayor Douchebag manipulate Sam into hosting this event. He says the town is backing it, but he told her it would be her donation to the town."

"Just how much did you eavesdrop on this conversation?"

"I heard everything. He kept talking down to her, and for some reason, she wouldn't stand up to him. Made me so angry."

"Maybe we could offer to be a sponsor for the event," Danny says.

That's a good idea, and I don't know why I didn't think of it myself. This is why I love talking to my brother. He's five years younger than me at 35, but he's the brains of Hoffer Handyman Services.

"Thank you, that'd be awesome. Have I told you you're my favorite brother?"

"I'm not falling for that. What do you want?"

"No, I mean it," I say, nodding.

"Well, fingers crossed that she asks you out when you have your talk."

"It might be about work."

"Don't do it for free."

"But…"

"I know you, Ben. You're too much of a softie. I'm suggesting you work for a commission at the next company meeting instead of a salary. Maybe that way, you'll stop giving away stuff for free."

"It's my labor. I can donate it if I want to."

"Yeah, yeah,” Danny says. “Listen, I've got to get this food to Merry, or she'll get grouchy. It's the first trimester, and she's not feeling that well.” He taps the table and looks back to the counter. “Ask the owner out already."

"I'll think about it. Say hello to Merry."

I watch my brother leave the shop, and I glance around the establishment. There are some things that can be improved, but I don't want Sam to think her place is broken down. I think about how she's got to get this Mixer set up and ready on such short notice, and it makes me angry again at the Mayor. Would I make a good mayor? I don't know. Plus, there's all the extra work I'd have to do. That's not attractive at all.

Even though I need to start work, I hang around Over the Roast as much as I possibly can just so I can watch the lovely Sam. When I see her slow down, I signal her so that she can come talk to me like she promised. Should I ask her out? I keep thinking of scenarios where I ask her out in some elaborate way, but none work out—even in my imagination.

I guess I'll have to wing it. Story of my life.