Entrusting a Business

Frank dropped his grandmother every day at the local community center to play shogi. She would only play in the mornings because in the afternoon, she liked going home and tidying up around the house she and her grandson shared. Or more like the house she owned after her late husband's passing where her grandson stayed after his mother had pushed his grandmother on him.

"Have a good day, Nana," he wished as he got back inside the car, ready to head to the office. That was when he got a notification requesting the bi-monthly report from Cyrus at Tormino's. He responded that Norman should have picked up the report already. Another quick text said they didn't get it in office, and Norman was out on the field.

Frank frowned, buckling himself in before driving off. Hopefully, Norman wouldn't end up a handful like his grandmother. He drove Tormino's parking lot. He knew Norman didn't own a car, so he wouldn't be able to see if he was there by checking outside. No, he would have to go in, taking time out of his free morning. He entered the restaurant which was already bustling. He found Norman at the counter with Anita, a pile of papers to the side as he talked to the waitress.

Frank marched over, plastering a smile on his face.

"Norman," he greeted, slapping Norman on the shoulder. The man returned the grin with equal cheeriness.

"Frank? What are you doing here today? I thought you were at the office."

"I came to see if you had picked up the paperwork."

Norman's face went blank, glancing at the papers. He turned to face Anita, except she was now serving someone on the other side of the bar. Frank looked over to see a few paper that Cyrus had given him, and in front of Norman were several origami creatures.

Frank sighed, slightly losing his smile.

"Norman, we talked about this. No using reports…"

"For hobbies. I found a book on origami left behind by customer at another Tormino's the other day, and it looked so interesting."

"We also can't take a customer's property."

"I didn't take it. I looked at it while waiting for them to come back."

Frank smiled, taking the remaining papers from Norman and the origami.

"You'll have to undo these when we get back to the office. Did you at least get a report from Shasta?"

"No."

"No?"

Norman looked over to the kitchen then back to Frank.

"To be honest, he frightens me. He's been giving me dark looks all day."

Frank looked over to the kitchen to see no one at the window.

"Try asking him," urged Frank.

Norman gulped, obeying his superior and walking over to the kitchen. Frank followed behind with the papers. They made it to the kitchen entrance, already blocked by Shasta.

"Hey, Shasta, may I please have the report?"

Shasta immediately began rambling off the report. Frank barely understood a word other than people requesting the spring menu already.

"Did you get all that?" he growled at Norman.

Frank looked at Norman when he didn't respond fast enough. Norman looked back at Frank.

"I didn't write anything down."

Frank sighed.

"Make sure to take notes next time."

"I already told Cyrus everything. It's in the report," grumbled Shasta, moving away from the kitchen and going back to work. Frank looked through the papers, dropping some of the origami on the floor. Shasta was right about the report being in the documents. It was a bullet point list titled, "Shasta's Kitchen Report." He should have thought of that sooner.

"Are you both staying for lunch?" asked Anita, looking into the back as the men made their way back to the front. Norman looked like he was about to say yes, only for Frank to push him past.

"Maybe another time. We have some paperwork to do at the office."

Anita nodded, smiling, and waving as they left. Frank escorted Norman to his car; both sat inside before saying anything.

"You need to stay on top of your reports," warned Frank.

"I know. I can't misplace the trust you or the department has given me. Or the trust Anita has in me to be a good district manager."

"There you go. Think of it like you are trying to impress Anita. A hard-working man would impress any woman."

He then spaced off, looking to the side of his car.

"Unless he has to take care of his aging grandmother first."

"What?"

Frank snapped out of his daze, starting the car and driving away, Anita waving goodbye from the window.