The thought of competing for a slot seemed daunting.
“Sallie and I can help you with the business plan,” Professor Chadwick offered.
Sallie smiled and nodded in agreement.
“You know I got you on the contracts,” Morris said.
I swallowed a huge lump in my throat, listening to these people who didn’t owe me anything offering to help me.
“I do have a condition, though,” Sallie smiled.
“What is it?” I asked.
“I need that hairstyle,” she laughed.
“I got you!”
* * *
Both Skye and Fee fell asleep almost as soon as we got into the truck. I went to the website for the entrepreneur grant that Sallie and Professor Chadwick told me about. I was a little alarmed by how many people had already sent in their application packet. The website had a running total of applications. So far, five hundred people had applied and they were only selecting four businesses.
“Dang…”
“What’s wrong?” Morris asked.
“I am looking at the website for the entrepreneur grant. They already have five hundred applicants that have applied. The application process doesn’t close for another week.”
“It doesn’t matter how many people apply, I have every confidence that you will be selected,” Morris encouraged.
“Wow, thank you, Morris, but I am probably up against some people that have bigger and more exciting goals than mine. They have businesses that will change the world. They probably have a pedigree, you know, come from a family that has something. I don’t know where the hell I come from, and even if I did know, they probably don’t have anything,” I exhaled, feeling slightly defeated.
“Your business changes the world. Every time a woman gets up from your chair feeling confident, that’s changing the world. You have your own pedigree. You’ve made a name for yourself because you are the best at what you do. Don’t let those numbers freak you out. Can’t nobody take what’s yours,” Morris said.
“I’m a little intimidated by all of this,” I admitted.
“I got you. We can sit down and look over everything you have and tweak what needs to be tweaked before you sit down with the Chadwicks. I know you will have the only salon suites in the new neighborhood.”
“You think so?”
“I know so.”
“Thanks, Morris.”
“No thanks necessary, but I do want to say thank you for coming with us…with me, tonight,” Morris said.
I stared at his profile as he drove, wishing he could thank me properly. He glanced over at me, caught me staring, and smiled. I looked away.
“It was my pleasure. I got to see the inside of a mansion, had some amazing food, good conversation with good people. I had a great time.”
“That house and that food were good. I like both Sallie and Lawrence. I think the girls would be okay with them for the sleepover. What do you think?”
“They had a good time over there. I didn’t pick up on anything fake or false with Sallie, and I know Professor Chadwick is on the up and up. I think they will be okay.”
“Plus, Larry and his son won’t be there anyway,” Morris said.
“Oh, that’s smart. They are going to have a blast at the party, I’m sure.”
“I hope they will. I just want them to be safe and happy.”