12 Strokes of Midnight

Chapter 4

  Copyright Ⓒ 2019 by B. Bailey All Rights Reserved  

"Not there Eva, further to the front," Grandma directs her new assistant, having her move a table further up than it was before. "I want more space between tables this weekend. Summer's here and the kids are out of school, so let's make as much room as possible."

Each glass jar sparkles in lines of light from between the wood backdrop to Grandmas stand, warm golden and brown shimmering under the green gazebo lid.

Grandpa is supposed to show up later with some friends from the country club. For the first time since I came here, I was a little disappointed to not go with golf but, since I'm here with Grandma, I'm pretty happy.

There are people milling around everywhere, setting up stands and putting up signs for hundreds of stalls selling goods. I've never seen anything like this before. Mom and Dad always buy everything in the grocery store.

It's a little weird to see the people behind the products instead of a plastic package with a stamped logo.

A bunch of kids is already here, running around and laughing with each other as they get hosed down with water guns, at the back area between aisles where their parents very loudly told them to stay.

Water. Being hosed with water doesn't sound so bad, I think, wiping the sweat off of my forehead, the ice pack already in place on the back of my neck. One of her friends sold her a pack of beads that can be frozen that's thaws slowly, keeping you cool. If only it were a full body suit!

After both back tables are full, Grandma sets the front two up for samples.

"Remember to always give the people a sample, so they know what they're getting," she tells me with a wide smile. "It also gives them a reason to stop. Attention is essential to running a successful business."

"So freebies draw the customers in? Don't you lose money with this tactic?"

"Yes and no. It's worth the stock that gets used. If people know what they're getting before buying they're more inclined to make a purchase. So I lose money at first, but it almost always ends up moving a larger portion of my inventory for a higher net gross."

"Almost?"

"Sometimes people aren't interested in buying. Usually during old people season. We like to make leisure inexpensive. In those times, I adjust tactics," she admits with a wink. "See how big these glass jars are?" She asks, holding up a large bottle from the far left of the back table. "5 lbs. The biggest I offer. It moves better over winter as the locals want tea and sweets. The smaller jars sell best to tourists who want to bring back edible souvenirs and share the experience."

"The large jars are worth more money than the small ones, which are between 32 and 8 oz. Each. Which season do you think I make the highest net income in?"

Tough question. Technically speaking, the large jars would be the obvious answer. Priced at four to five times the smaller jars, they're obviously a big player. Yet, the smaller jars are cheaper and easier to carry. Plus, you don't have to worry about where to put a humongous jar in your kitchen. They can easily fit into a shelf or drawer. And a suitcase, which wouldn't have a whole lot of spare room.

Mom crammed my suitcase full of socks and underwear like she thinks I'll need three pair a day.

Tourists or locals?

"Summer with tourists! We can ditch stuff we don't want and make room for cool new stuff," For example, throwing out a few dozen pair of high socks, which no sane person ought to pack for a hot place like Florida ever. Especially not summer.