Page 4 of Savage Ends

“Fine, fine, fine.We will get you a badge.”

Ava couldn’t help but laugh as she cut herself a slice of cake and took a bite.The shop struggling was one of the reasons she had sourced an income elsewhere.Owning a fabric store was always her mother’s wish, and when their dad gave it to her over ten years ago, it started out small.Slowly, she built it until they had no choice but to move from the garage at home to a larger store, which their dad got for her.

However, after her father’s death, the mounting bills, the cost of fabrics, shipping, imports, and everything associated with running a business, she knew her mother considered closing shop.The only problem was, this was one of the last anniversary gifts he gave Hazel before he died.The building was fully paid for and was part of the gift.He gave her the means to have a flourishing business, and everything else was left to her mother.

Now, them taking the business into the online world seemed to help.

Ava would have loved to work for her mother, and until she was eighteen, she did work here.Only, she wanted to get her own place and give her mother some space—unlike Violet who was more than happy to stay at home.

She found work elsewhere in the hope that if they ever did get into trouble, she’d be able to help them out.Her job paid really well.

“Speaking of jobs, how is yours going?”Hazel asked.

“It’s going really well.Business at The Late-Night Coffee Shop is great.”

Hazel smiled.“I am so pleased.You know, when you told me about it, I thought it was a crazy idea to have a late-night coffee shop.”

Ava shrugged.“Not going to lie, I did as well, but Lauren was onto something.It would seem time for coffee and cake is never too late.”

“Do you get any assholes?”Violet asked.“That late at night, you must get a whole bunch of assholes?”

Ava laughed.“No, we don’t.There are some difficult customers, but then, who doesn’t have them?Most of the time, it’s good.People are there because they just want to relax and that is what Lauren has tapped into.It’s a place to relax, have cake, and just ...breathe.”

“Guys can be assholes who just want to relax,” Violet said.

“Yeah, well, it is all good.Anyway, seeing as I’m here now, you may as well put me to good use,” she said.

She had already taken her bag and jacket out to the back.

Hazel glared at Violet, but it was one of those fake, loving glares that mothers give.

“Come on, Mom, we could do with her help, and she brought cake.There is no way you can turn away free help and free food.”

“Excuse me, I expect a payment of buttons when I’m done,” Ava said.

“And some buttons,” Violet added.

Hazel laughed.“Fine.Fine.Get to work.I don’t want to hear any more nonsense out of you two.”

Before she or Violet could complain, the bell on the door rang, letting them know a customer had entered, and it was time to start packaging orders.

Ava happened to love preparing the fabric or haberdashery items, lovingly adding a card, wrapping it neatly, and then sticking the address on the envelope or box.It was this loving touch that added to the experience of buying from a small business.

The time flew by, and customers kept coming.Most of them were local, but there were also a few from out of town that came to see the fabric store in Carnage.

Just after two, their mother went to the diner to grab them some burgers, and Violet put the sign up to let people know they would be back within half an hour.

“You’re going to be tired tonight,” Violet said.

She wrinkled her nose.“Nah, I’ll be all right.”

“Seriously, you’re not feeling tired from working a late-night job?”

“It’s fine.You know I always like to keep busy.”She shrugged.“Besides, I have to be exhausted, otherwise I just don’t sleep.You know what it’s like.”Since their father died, Ava struggled to sleep.

During her teen years, it would worry their mother.She hated the thought of Ava being up late on her own, and would often attempt to stay awake with her.It got to the stage that she would fake going to sleep, and either read or study.

After a while, her mother started to figure out that she needed to be tired out, which is why she worked late and woke early.She was an early riser, just like her dad.