Numbers

May 2003


"Hi this is Juliette from Callahan Insurance, I was calling today to set up a time to review your policies with our office. Would you be available this Wednesday? " My professional phone voice tried to sound more awake then I was on this cloudy monday. I was going through a list of clients trying to schedule policy reviews.

"You're just trying to get me in to sell more products. I already give you enough, remove me from your call list!" The woman on the other line spit out. OK so this wasn't going to start off positive, this was my first call.

"Miss Connors I understand it's annoying to have people call you asking for something.  I assure you though, all we need is a little bit of time to review your auto and home policy and make sure everything is up to date. Sometimes you'll even find you have too much coverage on some items. We can raise or lower anything at that time. Its also good to go over any policy changes so there's no surprises in the event of an accident.  We prefer to have you come in but I'm more then happy to set up a time to call you and review over the phone?"

"Alright, but only because my bill went up a dollar last month, I want to know why. I can do 11am Wednesday." Her tone had softened so I quickly finished the call before she got snappy again.  I put the appointment in my calender and marked my list.

"Don wants us in the office for numbers," Shelly came by my desk to get me. Every Monday we meet with the agent to give our sales numbers. I generally do well and similar to the other staff so I wasn't anxious. I grabbed my notebook and headed with Shelly to Don's office.

"Morning ladies, I hope you had a good weekend, please take a seat." Don greeted us. Don usually got in around 10 so I still hadn't seen him yet this morning.

Our office consisted of only 4 employees in addition to the agent, Don.  There's Shelly and I, the other two are Patrick and Karen. Patrick was the same age as me, however his attitude was more like a 15 year old girl. He was whiny and always complaining and loved creating office drama. Karen was an older woman who was nice enough but she had no drive, she technically was the office manager. I say technically because she never really managed, if she tried telling us to do something she would quickly back track and ask if we thought we should then she would apologize and leave the conversation leaving you to wonder what just happened and what you're supposed to complete.

"Juliette can you start with your numbers?  Unless you don't want to, does anyone else want to start...or I could?" Karen opened up the meeting.

"That's OK I'll start. 18 auto, 14 fire, 3 health and 1 life." I said slow enough for Karen to write on the whiteboard. I smiled when I said 1 life remembering how long it took me to close that sale. I had started the quote back in December for a stay at home mother. She didn't think she needed it but enough convincing her and her husband of the expenses they will have if she passes got me the sale months later. I guess she got sick for a week and her husband had to stay home and watch the kids and take care of everything,  he was a mess and called me last Thursday to complete the paperwork.

"9 auto, 7 fire, 0 health and 0 life," Patrick went next, he was still new and didn't have a life or health license. If he had any leads he would send them to Shelly and I to finish,  he was still able to count the sale. He rolled his eyes when Don said he still did good.

"12 auto, 10 fire,  0 health and 10 life," Shelly said beeming as she should, 10 life in one week was big, not only for commissions but for office numbers. I was a little confused though how she did it, I don't remember hearing her schedule that many appointments.

"Good job Shell, what's your secret?" Don asked smiling. Don was a young agent, early 30's, he was also quite handsome. He reminded me of a young George Clooney. It made meetings in his office more enjoyable.

"I just used some of the techniques we learned in that sales negotiation class from last week." She smiled.

We went over a couple notes Don had for the upcoming week and then headed back to our desks.

"Dang girl good job on the policies." I told Shelly when we sat down. My chair always bounced when I sat and every time I jumped up a little scared it would fall and I would with it.

"Oh it was nothing just asked and they said yes." Shelly swiveled her chair around to face her computer screen, ending the conversation.

I turned my attention back to my list when my phone buzzed in my purse. I looked around and it was quiet enough so I checked it.

Jacob - I can't stop thinking about you!

We'll now I was blushing, I couldn't help smiling. Jacob and I haven't seen each other in private since that night at his house. We both worked and had school so our schedules were hectic. We did grab a bite with friends a couple times. We also never really discussed us. We've kept up the flirting and some mild pda but nothing that screamed we were a couple. I was OK with this pace though and just enjoyed his company.  I was thinking about what to respond when a customer walked in.

I looked up to see a family of three. The mom and dad were followed by a teenage boy. I wondered how he didn't run into walls considering he didn't lift his head once even when they walked to Shelly's desk to sit down.  I got back to work, occasionally I would eavesdrop on their conversation.  It turns out this teen had just got his license and needed to be added. I wasn't surprised when I heard the parents reaction to the price increase, especially when they wanted a quote for a car they might buy him. The dad was arguing with the mom now about not wanting to spend the price on a policy where the kid would be a primary driver. I agreed with him, if they just added him to the two cars they already had it would be way less compared to adding a third vehicle. Three cars means each driver has to be primary on each car.   Shelly started going over discounts and I couldn't make out what she was saying. She was talking too low to hear. The phone rang and I answered. It ended up being a long call, by the time I hung up the family of three were walking out.

"Just sold another life," Shelly raised her hand for a high five. I hit my hand against hers when she reached my desk.

"Before I answered the phone they were busy arguing about how expensive the auto was going to be, how'd you get them to buy something else?" I was happy for her but also surprised.

"Oh it was nothing,  I just asked." She smiled and walked to the back room to finish the application.

I shrugged my shoulders and sat down getting back go my list. All of a sudden I had an urge to get some appointments and get sales. I don't want to go into next Monday's meeting with the lowest numbers. Maybe I'll invite Shelly over this week to give me some pointers.

The day finished out great. I had set up fifteen appointments and sold a couple auto policies. I asked Shelly if she wanted to get dinner before my class at 8. She agreed asking if it was OK for her to invite Gavin. I wasn't really interested in being a third wheel so I called Alicia to see if she wanted to join also.

"Sorry Jules, Dean said he got reservations for some fancy joint tonight." She didn't sound sorry, I laughed at her giddy mood. I don't think I've seen her frown since her and Dean got back together,  though I didn't see her much either.

I sucked it up and drove to the Mexican restaurant in Old Town we decided on. I walked through the thick wood doors and scanned the busy restaurant for Shelly and Gavin. I walked to the patio when I didn't spot them inside. The patio was my favorite part of this restaurant,  it was quieter and more romantic with lights and flags strung around and a beautiful large Spanish tile fountain in the middle. I spotted Shelly at a small table next to the fountain and walked over. I quickly stopped when I spotted the person standing up next to Gavin.