Free And Along Came Jake by Christopher Vaca Page A

do, it won't matter if it turns out right or not. It won't matter if people like it or not. Just as long as people know that you gave it your all, that's what's important. What matters even more, is what you think of yourself. Be proud of yourself Jake, and know that you did your absolute best. Once you know that you've done your best, it won't matter what people say, you'll be able to hold your head high knowing that you didn't quit; that you didn't back down or give in. Your signature is a reflection of how you truly think of yourself, and you know somethin' Jake—I believe in you." Big Paul stood up and finished by saying "Here's something to think about; the front of the store will be the items for sale, and the back will be our workshop, where we'll build and repair furniture."
    "Mr. Sutton?" Jake asked, rubbing his chin. "This store is just one big open space. If the front is for the finished furniture, and the back is for us to work, then won't all the sawdust from the furniture we're working on get on the furniture we're trying to sell?"
    "Good point, Jake." Mr. Sutton nodded. "Sounds like we've got a little problem…what should we do about that?"
    "We could build a wall, making two rooms?" He said. "One side for our workshop, and the other for people to shop. I know how to build that kind of stuff; I learned it from my father!"
    "Well, just tell me what you'll need and I'll order it; meanwhile go ahead and straighten the place up a bit, but remember, this is your project, with your signature, so give it your all!"
    As Mr. Sutton disappeared into his office, Jake put his hands on his hips and began to look around the shop. There were boxes thrown here and there, and furniture scattered about. He initially felt a little overwhelmed, and his intense enthusiasm started to fade, when all of a sudden he heard Big Paul's voice coming from the office.
    "To start, mentally divide the shop in sections. Then work one section at a time; it'll make things easier."
    Jake nodded his head, looked around, and did as he was instructed, allowing the stress of all the clutter to disappear. He worked section by section, taking things from boxes, and placing them where he felt they belonged.
    Mr. Sutton emerged from the office after about an hour, and was pleasantly surprised at the progress the boy was making. "I'm gonna go get us something to eat." Big Paul said "What are you in the mood for?"
    "What about doughnuts?" Jake smiled.
    "There's still a lot of work to be done, are you sure that's what you want?" Mr. Sutton replied.
    "Well" Jake licked his lips and nodded his head. "I could eat doughnuts all day, every day. I bet if you bought a big bag of them, I'd eat every last one. I would love to have about fifty doughnuts!"
    "Hold on a second." Mr. Sutton chuckled. "I don't know about fifty—but if you want doughnuts, that's what I'll get. I'll be back in about thirty minutes, so in the meantime just keep up the good work, this place is looking great!"
    Hearing that meant a lot to Jake. He wasn't used to anyone giving him compliments. Instead, almost daily, someone would tell him he was a failure, a good-for-nothing waste of humanity, or that he would never amount to anything. So for someone to say that he was doing a good job, made him even more determined to do his best.
    After Mr. Sutton left, Jake continued to organize and sort all the things in the shop. As he was opening a box to remove its contents, he heard the bell ring as the front door swung open. Jake smiled when he heard a familiar friendly voice.
    "H-Hi Jake, w-w-whatcha' doin'?" Edwin asked.
    "Hey Edwin" he said as he stood up. "I'm just sorting all this stuff from Mr. Sutton's new furniture store; he's coming back with doughnuts!"
    "Dough-dough-doughnuts!" Edwin exclaimed as he smiled. "Y-Y-You need some h-help J-Jake? M-M-Mr. Cobb s-said he d-didn't need m-m-me today."
    "Sure Edwin" Jake said, looking around at all the work still needing to be done. "I guess I could