THE BLUE STALKER by JEAN AVERY BROWN

a foul mouth but maybe she could tame her a little.  Anyway, she’s got spunk.  Ella likes a woman with an opinion. 
                  They discussed salary and work hours.  Ella tried to throw in some work ethics.
                  “Ella, you don’t have to worry about my mouth.  I know how to conduct myself in front of customers.”  Alicia told her as she strutted across the floor.
                  “Good Alicia, I know you’ve been around the block a few times.”  Ella told her.
                  “Honey, I’ve been around more than one block.  Alicia told her with a big heehaw laugh. “You’re gonna need someone to take care of the front.  I’m a designer, not a sales person.  And don’t get some young chick that only wants to talk on the phone.”  Alicia told her. 
                  The way Alicia was giving orders you would think she owned the place.
    “You’re right. I’ll find someone good with the public, someone that can help us out in the back room.  Someone that doesn’t mind getting their hands dirty.”  Ella said.
                  Ella interviewed a few ladies to work the front of the shop and wasn’t happy with any of them.  One morning she noticed a woman standing at the front window of the store looking at the ‘help wanted’ sign.  The young lady put her shoulders back and proceeded to march into the store.
                  “Hello, I’m Susan Mills.  I saw your help wanted sign in the window.  I need a job.  I don’t know much about flowers but I can learn.  I’ve been in sales for years.”  The young lady told Ella crossing her arms as she stepped back.
                  She certainly has a nice presence about her.  Ella thought and a welcoming smile with friendly eyes.  What more could she ask for.
                  Ella talked with Susan Mills and the more they talked the more she realized this woman was genuine.  A true soul in need of a job.  Susan and her husband Ron moved here a few months back.  They rented a house on Fifth Street when they first arrived in town but soon they couldn’t pay the rent. 
                  “We were practically on the street when Ron met a man and he offered his assistance.”  Susan told her.  “Our church family helped us with bringing food over.”  Ella knew she couldn’t take on another family but she could give Susan a job.
                  They discussed the salary and what was expected of her.  Ella had the crew put together except for a delivery guy.  She mentioned to Susan she needed a delivery person.
                  “My husband would make a good delivery person and he certainly needs a job.”  Susan told Ella.
                  “Ask him to come by this afternoon and I will talk with him.”  Ella told Susan as she showed her to the door.
                  “Work won’t start for a couple weeks.  Will you be okay until then?”  Ella asked.
    “I think so, we can manage.  Susan told her closing the door behind as she made her way home to give her husband the good news.
                  Ella asked Alicia and Susan to accompany her to San Francisco for a weekend of buying at the wholesale gift show.  A semi annual event for retail stores to view and order merchandise.  The each accepted the offer after Ella assured them the weekend was on her.  They took the station wagon to San Francisco.  There would be many things Ella could bring back for the store.  Although most items would be shipped.  “Be sure you wear good walking shoes.”  Ella warned the ladies.  “There will be a lot of walking for two full days.”
                  Ella and the ladies arrived at their downtown hotel in the early evening.  They shared a suite with two beds and a fold out sofa.  Ella threw her luggage on the sofa and told the ladies