Isn’t this a pretty picture? When I look at the Rocky
Mountains, I’m reminded of Psalm 121:1 and 2, “I will lift up mine eyes until
the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made
heaven and earth.”
Today’s blog entry is another short story I sent to
Woman’s World magazine, but it wasn’t
accepted for publication. So I’ll publish it here. (You can re-read the other short
stories I posted on Sunny Day Romance by going back into the
Archives. My story “Hot Lunch” was posted on Tuesday, October 30, 2012, and “Double
Take” was posted the next day on Wednesday, October 31.)
Beyond
Her Wildest Dreams
Darlene bit her lip as she surveyed the black and
chrome décor in the main office. She definitely had her work cut out for her.
If only she could get this job—it would be the biggest decorating assignment of
her career! A dream job.
The
entire top floor of the building was to be remodeled for a new accounting firm
that was moving in. Darlene wandered into another room and grimaced at the
orange shag carpet.
“Hi
there.”
She
looked behind the door from where the male voice came.
A man in coveralls lifted
a large framed print off the wall. “You must be one of those decorating people.”
He glanced at the clipboard in her hand as he set the frame on the floor. “This
place sure could use a face-lift.”
He
must be the maintenance man, and a handsome one at that. “Yes, I’m Darlene
Satterlee from Satterlee Custom Decorations.” Glancing around the room, she
almost shuddered at the 1980s modern art and furniture. “I’d love to redecorate
this floor, but Mr. Linnington, the CEO, is looking at several design
companies.”
The
man nodded as he hefted another frame off the wall. “So what would you do
differently, Darlene?”
She
laughed. “Get rid of this shag carpet, for one thing.”
His
gray eyes studied her as he grinned. “Good move. I don’t think the boss likes
it.”
“Oh,
do you work for him, Mr., uh—”
“My
friends call me Sam.” He grinned. “Yeah, Linnington and I are pretty good
friends.”
Darlene
raised her eyebrows. “Then maybe you would know his taste in decorating.”
He
shrugged. “Brown’s his favorite color.”
“Hmm…”
She looked at the modern chrome chairs. “Maybe he would like wood furnishings.”
Sam
daubed some putty at a hole in the wall. “These walls need a new coat of paint,
although wallpaper might be the way to go.”
Tapping
her pen against her lips, Darlene thought out loud. “Perhaps a hunting or
fishing motif in the wallpaper.”
Sam
wiped his hands on a rag. “I know he wouldn’t like some sissy frou-frou décor.”
“Frou-frou?”
She laughed. “I believe that pertains to lace on women’s clothing, not
decorating.”
His
face reddened. “You know what I mean. Most women decorators have a tendency
toward that frou-frou look.”
She
smiled. “On your recommendation, I’ll stay away from frou-frou and go for a
classic wood look.”
Two
days later, Darlene stood nervously in the large conference room. She had her
presentation all ready, and so did two other people: a woman from Total
Decorations, and a man from Floor Plans, Inc. Both were big companies that had
decorated dozens of office buildings. Darlene’s heart sank. She didn’t have a
chance.
Five
men and two women were seated around the conference table. Darlene noted that
Sam was one of them, and he was wearing a suit! He must be higher up in the
company than she thought.
Another
man opened the meeting. “My name is Calvin Willis of Linnington, Willis and
Hoye Accounting. We’ll ask Ms. Chester of Total Decorations to give her
presentation first.”
As
the woman showed her ideas, Darlene caught Sam’s eye. He smirked and mouthed, “Frou-Frou.”
Darlene tried not to chuckle.
Next,
Mr. Betts presented the ideas from Floor Plans, Inc. Darlene thought they
seemed austere and sterile. They might be appropriate for a hospital…
Finally
it was her turn. “I thought Mr. Linnington might like a more masculine office.”
She showed her ideas of built-in bookcases, wood furniture, sample wallpapers,
and tan carpet.
The
group applauded, and Sam winked at her. Mr. Willis came back to the front. “Thank
you, decorators. We’ll get in touch with you after we make our decision. You
are dismissed.”
Darlene
picked up her things and started toward the exit.
“Good
job, Darlene.” Sam smiled as she walked past him.
“Thanks.”
She paused and glanced back at the other businessmen who were talking among
themselves. “By the way, which one is Mr. Linnington?”
He
raised his eyebrows. “I am, of course.”
“No,
you’re not.” She laughed. “Come on. Tell me who he is.”
A
woman approached him. “Mr. Linnington, you have a phone call on line one.”
“Thanks,
Sue.”
Darlene’s
mouth dropped open.
He
winked at her. “See you later.” He walked toward an inner office.
Two
weeks later, Darlene received a contract in the mail from Linnington, Willis
and Hoye Accounting Firm. She got the job! Not only was this the job of her
dreams, but the pay was more than she could have imagined.
On
the last page, where she was to sign the contract, a post-it note was attached.
How about dinner with me this Friday? (I’m
glad you didn’t do frou-frou.) Sam Linnington.
Darlene laughed. A date
with Sam Linnington!
That was beyond her wildest dreams.
* * *
I loved it!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Misty!
Delete