Curiosity, shop

[tedwords]

"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough." Mario Andretti

Hey! So here we are, almost two months later, and guess what? Corb's been busy gearing up for a new adventure--opening a booth for his lighting restoration business.

It's something that's been months in the making. Before this, he has been selling his chandies on eBay as well as displaying them at a local shop (only all over the shop, but not with one location of his own). But back in the fall, he learned of a new place opening up nearby called Shiplap and Chandeliers and decided this would be the perfect opportunity to take things to the next level (I mean, what he sells is part of their name, after all). And so, he has been hard at work, building a booth (the design is all his own) and getting the inventory ready.

Today was opening day! It was exactly like the opening of a show. The place looks terrific and the owners are two lovely lesbians, and I think they are going to do quite well.

And good news: Corb rocked it! The store was packed and everyone raved about his area, and he sold so much--paid for almost two month's rent--that this evening he's been hard at work restocking for tomorrow morning. He's downstairs shining up a sconce as I type this.

So, it's been a good day. Well, for the most part. There was one incident that happened during the grand opening that kind of put a damper on things.

You see, Corb's mom naturally wanted to go to the opening, and her kind of fiancee/boyfriend Jim wanted to go as well, to support Corb. But Jim has been...well, frankly, slowly dying for these past few years. Let me explain: just as there are people who refuse to get the COVID vaccine, Jim decided not to take the shingles vaccine a few years ago, figuring there was no need.

But of course, there was. He contracted full body shingles and basically is now living on a feeding tube, and also has a myriad of other problems, including skin cancer, that doesn't make it likely he will be around much longer. (And PS: I love the guy. He is quite the character.)

So, it's so cool he came this afternoon. That he was strong enough after all he has been through to move around and keep going. To be there for support. But as Corb and his mom were looking around the store, Jim suddenly felt dizzy and started to collapse to the ground. I was talking to him at the time and within seconds, he fell into my arms, feeling as light as a feather. Well, an 80 pound feather.

What to do? I tried to look around for some help, but Corb and his mom were at the other side of the shop. And there Jim was, almost unconscious in my arms.

Fortunately, there was a very kind man nearby who rushed over to help me. While holding Jim, I asked the man to find a chair so that Jim could sit in, and once it was retrieved and we moved him into it, I asked the man to look after Jim so I could hunt around for Corb and his mom. The place was packed and I had to wade through a ton of people to get to the other side of the store. But find them I did (it felt like it took forever) and we were back by his side and 911 was on the phone.

I honestly thought Jim was going to die. His eyes were closed and he started to fall forward, and we kept trying to keep him awake and alert. But Jim, stubborn cuss that he was, refused to give up and managed to stay awake. And then, he was alert enough to refuse to go to the emergency room once the EMTs arrived. Jim insisted he was okay to go home (I have my doubts, as he couldn't even stand up), but they had no choice but to obey his wishes.

But you know what's annoying? While all this is going on, people were complaining about not being able to get into the store! One person actually said loudly "Guess we won't be able to see the place, because some old guy is dying." Hmph. Sorry to put a crimp in your day, sir.

Anyway, Jim is home now and I doing better. And Josie, Ashes and Dan showed up for the grand opening, too, and we went out to lunch afterwards. So, all's well that ends well. And now, Corb handles the next adventure: keeping the coffers well stocked.

It all goes to show: doors open and windows close. But as it is with most things in life, even if you're closing or opening, you're doing it with a little help from your friends.