“I’ll see if he’s available. Hold on, please.”

Christina waited patiently, and finally Oscar’s strong and crusty voice came on the line.

“Hello, Christina. I didn’t expect to hear from you again.”

“Oscar, Mr. Bittlesman, could I come talk with you some day soon? I won’t take much of your time.” She hated herself for her ingratiating tone. She wasn’t a child and he wasn’t the elementary school principal. But her responsibility to the other Shedders and her need to keep her shop open gave her courage.

Oscar was quiet for such a long time, Christina wondered if he’d fallen asleep.

“Day after tomorrow!” he barked. “Six o’clock. My house. We’ll have a drink.”

“Wonderful! I’ll be there.”

—

At lunch the next day, as they gathered in Mimi’s back room, Christina told them about her plan.

“Well done!” Mimi said.

“Wait, I haven’t done anything yet.”

“You absolutely have! Bearding the lion in his den! Talking to him man-to-man instead of using your friendship with Wink or with Andy to support you. Don’t try to sugarcoat it. Tell him in no uncertain terms a ten percent raise is not acceptable.”

“And don’t wear that!” Harriet cut in.

Christina blinked, surprised at Harriet’s bossy tone. She looked down at her outfit. Corduroy trousers tucked into Ugg boots, a red sweater, a bright green inexpensive shell necklace she sold in the store.

“Why not?” Christina asked. “I look Christmasy.”

“You look cute. You need to look businesslike. You need to seem totally grown up.”

Mimi nodded. “Harriet’s right. You’ve got to be large and in charge.”

“Maybe one of you should come with me. Maybe you, Harriet. You’re more this type.”

Harriet actually blushed. “No, thank you. I’d just be a distraction.”

“Fine,” Christina said. “I’ll let you know how it goes.”

—

That night she did everything she could to keep herself calm, to not dwell on what to wear tomorrow night, what to say. She built a fire, made hot cocoa with a marshmallow in it, and put on some low-key Christmas music. If she let herself think about it, she was sorry she had to face Oscar Bittlesman alone. Really, the other three Shedders should go with her. A group of four would be more persuasive than one.

Her phone buzzed. Christina’s heart leapt.

It was Andy.

“How was your day?” she asked.

“Endless. Boring. Nerve-wracking. There are times when I think my colleagues are being obtuse just to drive me mad.”

Christina laughed. “My colleague is much nicer. She’s funny and quick and loves her work.”

Andy chuckled. “She’s very happy there. She really likes Dora. They’re having a sleepover next Saturday night. Before that, Dora’s mom is taking the girls to the ice skating rink. And Sunday, they’re going to the high school pool for open swim time.”