9 Chapter 9

He leaned back in his chair. “Really? You want to listen to workplace bullshit?”

“I’ve been in the workforce longer than you, so I’ve probably heard it all. Lay it on me,” I encouraged him after sipping my beer.

“Well, you asked for it. A Lowe’s is opening soon, two blocks from the store. Ownership is worried about business. I told them that Harry and Sons has loyal customers, and though they may lose a little bit at first, the luster of a big box store will fade. You can’t replace one-on-one service and a family atmosphere. I made some suggestions as to what they could do in the meantime, you know, special deals, things like that. But they blew me off. These guys are older—no offense—and stuck in their ways. It just pissed me off.” Grant finished his beer and waved down the waiter to get another one.

“No offense taken. That sucks, man.”

“I’ll be fine. It’s just frustrating dealing with people who can’t see the lumber for the trees.” He went back to his meal.