The Pastor's Heart - By Desiree Future Page 0,18

so that son of yours can get his jollies on and we can stop ordering the low selling items,” Chelsea joked.

“Hey now,” Kingston pointed across to his sister sitting opposite from him. “Leave my Fig Newton’s out of this. We are looking for a location, not to go insanely mad. Please leave my Newton’s alone.” Kingston said as he opened the package Fig Newton’s that sat right in front of him.

It was a well-known fact that Kingston had to have his Fig Newton’s all the time and everywhere. Since he was a child he always he had to have them. His parents actually brought him home a box every week from their store. At every board meeting there was Fig Newton’s for him while everyone else snacked on various pastries and fruit that sat on the table.

“I happen to think that is a great idea,” Calvin put in while sipping on his tea. “A smaller version of our store but selling only specialty items. Hmm.” Calvin was starting to like that idea.

“I think it’s a great idea as well. But there is a problem,” Kingston said while looking at the huge map lying on the table in front of Jamison.

“What is the problem?” Chelsea asked while trying to steal a Newton from Kingston but he slapped her hand back before she could touch any of his precious cookies.

“The problem is,” Kingston continued and stood to his feet while his suspenders lay at the way side of his navy-colored slacks. “I really do like the idea of the specialty store but, I see a problem. With us being in College Point now wouldn’t it be a disservice to have our customers travel to maybe DuPont Circle or U Street for one or two items?” Kingston pointed out on the map.

“Kingston, you do a have point there but how can we rectify that?” Jamison asked drinking from his coffee cup.

“I suggest we add a few specialty aisles to our store now and see how that works? If that works then maybe the store just might work, but if it doesn’t then we have to try another plan. It breaks down to us losing money rather than profiting if we go with a smaller version of our store.” Kingston pointed out to his family as he offered a Newton to his smiling sister. “I know someone in real estate so I’m going to try and reach out to him to see about a location.”

“Okay, here’s the thing.” Calvin said after hearing everyone’s input. “Everyone has good ideas as far as the new store is concerned. I am a little reluctant in building a new store only because DC is such a small area. Although well-populated it’s still a small area.” Calvin said while adjusting his tie.

“That’s true, it is a small area,” Louise agreed as she sipped on her tea.

“And let’s not forget the tight restrictions on building any structure in DC now that could really pose a problem. I would consider a current structure where we can expand the size of the building to accommodate our needs. That way the community doesn’t feel like we are tearing down their history. The community is our customers and if we focus on that point I am more than sure we can come up with something to work. And with that said this meeting is adjourned.” Calvin said as he pretended to bang a gavel on the table.

“Everyone is excused with the exception of Kingston. Kingston, I need to talk to you in my office,” Calvin said as he and Kingston began walking out the conference room together.

“Yes, Pop what’s up?” Kingston asked as he plopped down in the leather chair adjacent to his father’s handcrafted Maplewood desk.

“I told you so.” Calvin said while retrieving a soda from his refrigerator and pouring it into his empty tea cup.

“Mom is going to kill you if she finds out you were drinking soda.” Kingston said looking at his father suspiciously.

Taking a gulp of the soda, Calvin continued. “It’s not about me, it’s about you. Now didn’t I tell you she would come to you?” Calvin quickly changed the subject.

Kingston crossed his legs and held his head back thinking about his date with Sinclair. He was still awe struck at not only her beauty, but her spirit.

“Yes, you did Pop. You surely did. I thought it was a done deal but when she showed up at the church I almost fell over in disbelief.” Kingston was smiling like