NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: Tensions are quite high right now at the tree lot, so fasten your seat belts. We're in for a bumpy ride. BTW, the place names (Rosa's, Monty's, Howard House, etc.) were inspired by the Lemax Christmas collectible buildings. I saw a Christmas village displayed at my local ACE Hardware and was inspired to write a story based in a small town similar to the one I saw. It even had a tiny Walmart in it:).
Chapter Four
After being shot down by the senior salesman, Heath decided to go straight to the top. Thankfully, the lot was currently quiet. "Mr. Helmsley, may I speak to you for a moment?"
"What is it?"
"Do you think you could spare me tonight?"
"Let me see, we need three people to move the Noble Firs..." Hunter caught a glimpse of Jay as he was heading towards a stand of Scotch Pines. "Jay?"
"Yes, Hunter."
"Can you get along without Heath tonight?"
Jay threw Heath's retreating form a glance loaded with darts. "Hunter, can I talk to you for a moment?"
Hunter looked annoyed. "You want to go, too?"
"Yes, I'd appreciate it very much..."
"What is this?!" Hunter snapped. "Does everybody want to leave? Is this the interest you show?"
"I'm sorry, if I'd only known yesterday-"
Hunter didn't, or wouldn't, hear Jay's apology. "You want a special invitation!" he barked, loud enough to be heard up front. "Next time, I'll send you an engraved announcement, and I'll make sure you guys have a chance to RSVP!"
Trish, who was returning from the break room, chimed in. "I already talked to Jay. Miz and I can manage the Nobles by ourselves."
"Did I ask you for your advice?" Hunter snarled, fixing Trish with an icy stare. "What do you mean you talked this over? Who's tree lot is this?"
"It's yours, Hunter. Forget I said anything." Trish sighed before slinking off to converse with Anna about someone pissing in their boss's Wheaties.
"So you want the evening off, Jay?" Hunter huffed. "That's all right. I think we can manage."
"This is the first time in years I have asked a favor."
"I gave you the evening off!" Hunter barked. "What more do you want? A mobile DJ?"
"You're being unfair!"
"I'm being unfair?!" Jay had suddenly gotten on Hunter's last nerve. "Once a season, I ask eight people—eight mind you—when a tree lot on the other end of town that's twice as big as mine employs just four to do their work!"
The tirade was cut short as a car pulled into a parking space and a customer entered the lot. "Good afternoon, ma'am," Hunter smiled, after putting on his game face. "Is there something I can show you?"
The customer was a well-heeled woman in an expensive looking coat. "Do you have any short trees to put on a table?"
"We have all types, the short ones are in the north corner."
"Thank you. I'm doing some browsing for my husband. He'll be here tomorrow, and we have a rather small space in our apartment. He's better with figuring out height and width and things like that."
"I'll look forward to helping you both, ma'am."
"You have some great trees. We'll be coming back tomorrow. Thank you. Have a great day, and Merry Christmas."
"Thanks, same to you, ma'am." After the future customer left, Hunter continued his rant. "I have eight people who stand around here for days telling jokes, and talking about the movies," he grumbled, stomping over to the cashier's booth. "While I pay the gas and the rent...and the light, and the taxes, and their salaries." He was interrupted again, this time by a phone ringing in the booth. Hunter reached over to answer it. "Good afternoon, Triple H Trees. What? Just a moment. Anna, it's your husband. And can you ask him to call your cell next time, please? I don't want this phone being used for personal calls."
Anna shrugged and took the call. "Yes? Hi, Babe! I called you. We are rearranging trees after closing hours...so we won't have to have dinner with the Haas's. Isn't that wonderful? Yes, I knew you'd be glad. You need to rest up a couple more days. Oh, sure. I'll pick up your prescription. Okay, I'll get you some soup, too. Love you. Good-bye, Justin."
"Eight people I ask," Hunter continued, stalking away from the booth. "One day a season, to be so kind...as to move some trees." He caught Jay's eye. "And you have the nerve, Reso, the oldest employee in the place, who should set an example-"
Jay fixed his boss with a look that could freeze a volcano. "You spoke like this to me yesterday, Hunter!" he unleashed. "What did I do then? The whole week you've treated me like this, and without any reason."
"Without any reason?" Hunter answered, cryptically. "Maybe I have more reason than you think."
Jay's voice softened. "It's obvious that you're not satisfied with me."
"You can draw your own conclusions."
For a crackling second, Jay wanted to lay out the owner of Triple H Trees with a hard roundhouse right. He'd had enough of Hunter's attitude, and he had a screaming desire to deck the big nosed bastard. But instead, he throttled his anger; the last thing he wanted was to do something that could affect his career. "In that case," Jay said softly, "I think there's just one thing to do. Perhaps we'd better call it a day."
~~~TLATS~~~
Later that afternoon...
"Good afternoon. Triple H Trees," Trish answered the phone, pleasantly. "Yes, Stephanie, he's here. Mrs. Helmsley on the telephone," she said, handing the receiver over to Hunter, who was setting out new wreath kits.
"Hi, Stephanie. No, I'm not coming home tonight, I'm staying over at the lot. All right. All right, I'll send it right over." After ending the call, Hunter took out a few large denomination bills. "Trish, put this in an envelope and have Mike take it to my wife"
"Mike is out.," Trish said, putting the money into a plain envelope and handing it back. "He has quite a few deliveries, and he won't be back until after lunch."
"Jay and I were gonna have lunch at Rosa's," Matt said (he was just getting out of his truck and hadn't heard the commotion earlier). "It's only a few blocks from your house. We can deliver it." he glanced over at the senior salesman, who was trying to keep a low profile by putting out tree stands. "Right, Jay?"
"Sure."
"No, thank you, Jay." Hunter walked off, leaving Matt bewildered and Jay feeling genuinely hurt.
There was another person that Hunter could ask, even though he didn't like the guy very much. "Kurt?"
Kurt glanced up from his cup of gingerbread coffee. "Yes, Hunter."
"I don't like to break in on your lunch hour, but can you deliver this envelope.-"
"It's perfectly all right," Kurt took the envelope and smiled. "It'll be a pleasure."
"Thank you, Kurt."
~~~TLATS~~~
Anna launched herself into a full body stretch, groaning as her joints popped. "I have pine needles and tree sap in places that shouldn't have pine needles and tree sap."
"Anna, you are stronger than you look." Jay shook his head in amazement.
Anna and Jay had just finished moving a big Noble Fir (they figured that the more work they could do now, the less time they'd have to stay over later) when Hunter approached them. "Jay...will you come to my office?" the boss asked him, politely. "I'd like to talk to you."
"Yes, sir."
In Hunter's tiny office, Jay sat nervously in one of the chairs placed across from the desk. "Jay..." Hunter began, "I've been thinking all day about what you said earlier today."
"I'm sorry, Hunter. I'm afraid I lost my temper."
"No, I think you were right. I really believe that you'd be happier somewhere else."
"Do you think so, sir?"
"Yes, I'm sure of it. "
Jay felt like he'd been hit with a board. This conversation was just a nice way of saying, Jay, you're fired! Jay knew this was not warranted, but he was in so much shock at the moment, nothing completely registered. "I guess there's nothing more to be said," was all he was able to manage.
"No. Let me see. You're naturally entitled to a month's pay, with commission. Of course, I'll make sure you have severance pay as well. It'll be quite a generous package, given that you've worked with me from the beginning."
"Yes, sir," Jay nodded as Hunter set some papers out in front of him.
"Will you, please, sign this receipt. And here's a letter...which certainly won't handicap you in seeking employment. A good letter of recommendation. I've emailed it to you as well."
"Thank you, sir."
"I guess we might as well say good-bye."
"I guess so." Jay climbed slowly out of his chair, removing his name tag and lot keys and setting them down on Hunter's desk. "Good-bye, Hunter."
"Good-bye."
~~~TLATS~~~
Jay wandered out of Hunter's office in a daze and was greeted by the rest of the tree lot employees. Jeff was the first to speak. "Well? What happened?"
"I've been let go," he answered simply, before he read the letter that had been handed to him:
"SUBJECT: Recommendations. I wish to state that Mr. Jason Reso leaves my company voluntarily. Jay started with Triple H Trees nine years ago as an apprentice and delivery driver. With diligence, he advanced to the position of clerk. For the last five seasons, he has been our top salesman. I, as well as his fellow co-workers, have found him reliable, efficient, resourceful, and an asset to our team. I can recommend him without hesitation. He carries with him my best wishes for his success in his future endeavors. Hunter Hearst Helmsley, owner, Triple H Trees."
Jay hung his head. The reality that he had just been fired was beginning to sink in. "I can't believe this. I've been future endeavored."
Trish gasped. "Jay, I still can't believe it. There's no reason."
"The boss doesn't have to give you a reason. That's one of the wonderful things about being boss. Well, I wanted to get the night off," he shrugged. "I got it off all right."
"Jay, are you going on your date still?" Anna wondered.
"No, I couldn't face him tonight. This morning I had a position, a future. I'm afraid I sort of exaggerated in my emails. I showed off a little, and he's expecting to meet a pretty important man. I'm in no mood to act important tonight."
"You don't have to act important. Just act like yourself."
Kurt approached the disgraced salesman and offered his hand. "Well, I...Jay, I think I speak for all of us, when I say this is a shock and a surprise. We all feel we are losing a great fellow worker... and we certainly wish you the...the best of luck."
Jay politely shook Angle's hand. "Thank you, Kurt. Anna..."
Anna hugged her best male friend. "Now, Jay, you're sill part of my extended family. If you wanna swing by the house or get together for a bite to eat, or even if you have an evening with nothing to do, you have my phone number and Justin's. And if you need a job for whatever reason, don't be afraid to let me or Justin know."
"You sure about that?"
"Justin says there's always room for one more, and in case things fall through for you, you're penciled in as one of Justin's employees."
"I may take him up on that offer."
"Take care, Jay."
The next to approach Jay were the Hardys. "Matt, I'm going to miss you."
"I don't understand."
"It's nothing unusual. It happens every day. Somebody gets fired and... Good-bye, Matt. And thanks for lunch."
"Good-bye, Jay. And you're welcome."
"Jeff. You'll notice when you look through my sales book...I cancelled slip number five, but I deducted it from the total."
"Good-bye. Call us, Matt and me. We'll get together, do some sledding or snowmobiling."
Jay nodded. The last person he approached was Heath. The kid looked like he was on the verge of tears.
"Heath, If I had anything to do with you not getting the evening off, I'm sorry."
Heath's voice wobbled, and he had to screw his courage to the sticking place before meeting Jay's gaze. "It's my fault that you got in so much trouble."
"Believe me, I'm sorry, too." Jay put a reassuring hand on Heath's shoulder. "But this wasn't your fault, Heath."
"I know we didn't get along."
"No, we didn't." Jay nodded in agreement.
"I guess we fought a lot, but losing a job at a time like this is something you don't wish on your worst enemy."
"Let's not argue anymore, huh?"
"Good-bye."
"Good-bye, Jay."
Quietly, Jay got into his Suburban, started it up and drove away. His friends in the lot waved until the vehicle disappeared from sight.
Meanwhile, Hunter was on the phone with someone very important. "Yes? Mr. Regal. Well? Oh, you have. How soon can you come over here? Yes, well, come right away. I'll...Right. I'll be waiting here..."
~~~TLATS~~~
"You can all go home. We'll finish moving the trees tomorrow," Hunter said, quietly dismissing his remaining employees for the day. It had been a slow day; but considering the drama that had gone down in the tree lot, it was a blessing in disguise. Everyone left, grateful to escape the drama, if only for a few hours.
Heath nearly knocked Anna over as he rushed out of the lot. "Excuse me. Good night. Good night."
"Wherever you're going, have fun!" Anna shook her head and laughed as she pulled out her cellphone and tapped out a familiar number. "Hi, Jay! It's Anna. Are you still going to Monty's? Okay. I'm gonna swing by my house and drop off Justin's prescription, then I'll head over. I figured you might want the company. See you in a bit."
Anna felt a large presence behind her and turned to see Hunter standing next to the cashier booth. "I hope you don't mind, Hunter. Jay's probably feels pretty low tonight, and I thought..."
"You don't have to explain. What you do after working hours is your own business."
"Thank you." Anna paused. She knew it wasn't her place to say anything, but she felt like she had to take up for Jay in some small way. "Uhmmm...you haven't changed your mind, by any chance, Hunter?"
"You've got the evening off, haven't you? Well, go home and enjoy the rest of your day."
Anna glared at her boss. "He is the best man you had. Why did you let him go?"
"Anna…"
"Jay's worked with you from Day One. He was almost extended family to you. And you were so proud of him. How many times have you invited him to your house?"
"Anna, you want to keep your job, don't you?"
Anna flinched. She knew a threat when she heard it, and nodded. "Yeah. Justin and I are planning a family. Two children."
"In that case, mind your own business and go home."
Anna turned and walked off, without a backwards glance. "Fine. Good night, Hunter."
"Good night."
Kurt, the schmoozy salesman, was the last one out. "Good night, Hunter."
"Good night, Kurt."
"I'm sorry, I can't quite remember if I delivered Stephanie's message. She told me to remind you to call her if you don't work tonight."
"Yes, you told me, Kurt. "
"Hunter, the last time I had the pleasure to be at your place...was several months ago when you sent me after your cell phone. Today I had a chance to get a glimpse of your new home theater set. It's fantastic, really. I can imagine what it'll look and sound like when you have it on for your guests. It must be beyond amazing."
"Thank you, Kurt, for the compliment."
~~~TLATS~~~
"Good evening, Mr. Helmsley."
William Regal, a private investigator Hunter had hired to follow his wife, appeared at the now locked entrance to the tree lot. There was a sign up that read Closed early due to circumstances beyond our control. We will be open tomorrow at our regular time. Thanks, and Happy Holidays.
"Good evening, Mr. Regal." Hunter unlocked the gate and ushered the investigator into the little room in the cashier's booth. Warmly he shook hands with the PI and offered him a hot drink. Regal politely declined.
"So it's true?" Hunter asked him.
"I'm afraid so, Mr. Helmsley," Regal answered, his voice soft and deep, with a British accent. He pulled a manila envelope out of the pocket of his coat and opened it, showing Hunter pictures and records. "Here we have a complete record from our operatives... two of our most reliable investigators. Report on Mrs. Stephanie Helmsley: On December 6th, Mrs. Helmsley left her residence on 506 Mulberry Street, at 8:23 PM. "She walked two blocks up to Poplar Street where she boarded a taxi. At 9:03, the taxi stopped at the corner of Camden Court and Hawthorne Street. "There, Mrs. Helmsley was joined by a young man."
Regal set the envelope down and regarded the tree lot owner with a sad expression. "Mr. Helmsley, your suspicion was right. It was one of your employees. Both our operatives identified him later as Mr. Angle."
Hunter went pale with shock. "Kurt?"
"Yes. Kurt Angle. The address we found was 816 Crawford Place, Heartland Valley. You have a gentleman who works in your lot by that name, correct?"
"Yes, yes." Hunter got up, a thousand mile stare in his eyes. His voice was soft and broken. "Thirteen years we've been married. Thirteen years I was proud of my wife. Well, she...she just didn't want to grow old with me, I guess. If you'll send me your bill, I'll take care of it immediately."
Regal got up from his seat. "Thank you, Mr. Helmsley. Good night."
"Good night." Hunter nodded in a daze, as the investigator saw his way out.
~~~TLATS~~~
"Dammit! Where'd I leave it?" Miz scrambled out of his vehicle right after he put it in park in the now empty tree lot. He had misplaced his cell phone, and that was something that he couldn't afford to lose.
A cursory check in the empty cashier's booth turned up nothing. The next place he'd check would be the office (he had his own key), but before he could do that, the phone rang, startling him. No doubt it would be someone with a delivery request. "Sorry, I'm off duty," he sighed, as he answered:
"Good evening. Hello? No, Mrs. Helmsley (Miz had put on his Trish impression—not a dead-on one, but good enough to fool someone on the phone). This is Trish Stratus speaking. Good evening. Who? Mike? No, Mike isn't back yet. I see, Mrs. Helmsley. He did some errands for you. Oh, you don't say! He forgot to pick up a bottle of perfume at Beall's? Isn't that too bad! Yes, I'll holler at him when he comes back. Have a good time, Mrs. Helmsley. Good night."
After hanging up, Miz decided that he should check the RV before the office. The lights were on, so Hunter was here. Hopefully, he'd be in a slightly better mood.
He headed over and knocked gently on the door. "Mr. Helmsley?" He paused. A gut instinct told him he should open the door. "Hunter?"
Gently, Miz tried the door handle. It turned easily, and Miz let himself in. What he saw sent a surge of adrenaline through his body.
"Hunter! Don't do it!"
"Go away! Go away!"
Miz lunged "No, Hunter! Let go of the—"
BANG! A gunshot rang through the RV, and the bullet lodged itself into the door.
For a moment Miz and his boss sat in stunned silence. Hunter glanced down and saw the gun in his hand (he kept one at the lot for an emergency). He was unable to speak and could not move.
"Mike. Why'd you stop me?" he whispered in anguish.
Miz gently took the gun out of Hunter's hand and set it on the counter behind him. "Because you don't know what you're doing. Why the hell are you holding a gun to your head?"
Hunter's voice was wobbly. "My wife's been cheating on me with one of my employees."
It didn't take Miz long to connect the dots. "Jay? Is that why you fired him?"
"I fired the wrong guy, Mike."
Miz snorted as he sat down across from his heartbroken boss. "But Jay...he's gay, Hunter! What were you thinking?"
Hunter buried his head in his hands. "I wasn't, Mike. I just let my anger and my jealousy cloud my thinking. It was Kurt. But don't let any of this out to anyone."
"Why am I not surprised that it's Kurt?" Mike smirked. He saw his cell phone on the mattress in the sleeping compartment of the camper. He picked it up. "Yes! It's still well charged. Hunter, I'll call 911-"
"No!" Hunter barked. "Don't call 911! The police will get involved, and then the publicity...that's the last thing I need. That's the last thing the rest of my crew needs."
"Okay. I'll lock up and drive you to the hospital..."
NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: Anyone who wants to give Hunter a big hug right now, raise your hand...I started out disliking Hunter in this chapter, but now I just feel so awful for him. I know that he and Steph are married happily in real life, so to anyone who ships them in their fiction, don't toss sporks at me! This was just to move the story along.
But boy, Hunter has got some 'splainin to do, doesn't he?
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