Ugly(103)

I wander around, not really sure what to get him. Eventually I make my way to a counter which has perfumes. And I find a scent, a men’s aftershave which is quite appealing. Although it’s well over one hundred dollars, I buy it for Max and hope he likes it.

I’ll have to get Shayne and Liam’s present when I get home. I can do that all online. I get a cab home, and hang the new coat on a hanger, and put it on the door handle of Shayne and Liam’s room. I quickly change, and get ready for my driving lesson.



As I pull up in front of the house, Shayne and Liam’s car is here, beside mine and I know they’re home. I walk in with a smile on my face. “Hey, how was your driving lesson?” Liam asks when I come in through the front door.

“Really good. He said I’m quite confident and I’ll definitely be ready for my test early in January. He’s surprised how far I’ve come with only a few lessons.”

“Good for you, chicken butt. You have that sexy car sitting out in the driveway, and soon you’ll be able to drive it. I’m really proud of you.”

“Thank you. Hey, can I make dinner tonight or have you or Shayne started it already?”

“Shayne started it. You know how much she loves to cook.”

“I do.” I smile and walk into the kitchen to find Shayne moving her butt, singing a song in the worst possible voice as she dances around the kitchen cooking. “Hey, can I help?”

“You can pour us a wine, and tell me where that sexy coat came from.”

I grab three wine glasses, and the wine that’s opened from the counter, pouring us each one. I take Liam’s out to him and then come back into the kitchen and sit on one of the stools. “Well, I went to Target and found it. It’s exactly the same as the one I’ve been borrowing, so I bought it, and gave you the new one. Isn’t that okay?” I sip my wine slowly.

“No, it’s not. I’ll take the one I gave you, and you can take the new one.” She stirs what’s cooking on the stove stop.

“I’ve been wearing the coat for a little while now, it’s only fair you take the new one, and I’ll keep yours.”

“Yeah…No. I want my original coat back.”

“Why? It’s just a coat.”

Shayne turns around to face me and says, “You deserve new, not hand-me-downs. You’ve had plenty of hand-me-downs. Now take something new.” She turns and keeps cooking.

I choke up and I’m not sure I can answer her without tearing up and crying. “Okay,” I manage to croak.

“Good. Dinner will be ready soon. Michaela said she was so happy with what you did with her book. She even said she’s got someone else who’s interested in using your services.”

“She told me today. I have to figure out what I’m going to charge.”

“Michaela said the work you did is worth quite a lot. You did what an editor would do. Not that I know what she’s going on about, but she said she would’ve paid you five hundred for what you did. She also said others charge heaps more than that.”

“Yeah, but I’m sure they’re qualified.”

Shayne’s shaking her head. “She said there are people out there who’ve been beta readers, whatever that is, and go on and say they’re editors and charge too much. Some aren’t even good. Well, that’s what she says. I have no idea.” She shrugs her shoulders at what she’s saying.

“I don’t know, five hundred seems a bit excessive.”

“Hey, first rule of business is don’t ever undervalue your product. If you do, people will think it’s crap and won’t buy it. It’s what I’ve learned at the tire shop. You have to value what you offer.”

“Makes sense,” I say as I pick my glass up and sip some more of my wine. “You think five hundred is reasonable though?”

“Well, how about you do an introductory price of three hundred and fifty. Then, if they use you again, you can charge five hundred. If they recommend you to someone new, then the person who’s referring you gets fifty dollars off their next book?”

“That may be too confusing for everyone. But I do like the idea of charging them less for the first book”

“Michaela said a lot of editors and proofreaders charge per word, so really five hundred is not unreasonable, especially if the book is large.”

“Hmm.” I focus on the pot Shayne is stirring and start to really think about a reasonable amount to charge.

“Anyway, dinner will be ready soon.”

“Okay, I’ll be back in a bit. I’ll just go get my laptop.” I go into my room, get my laptop and go back into the kitchen, sitting at the counter. I open it up, and while Shayne is cooking, I click onto the vacation destination I’ve chosen for them, and get everything organized. I’m so excited, and I know they will be, too.