Lost and Found

Chapter 20

"Come on Tony. We've been doing this fundraiser for three years. Is it really necessary for me to go down there?" Sydney asked as she flopped back in her chair. Tony was the manager of The Oakridge. He helped plan every event that happened there. He was also a big supporter of the library fundraiser, donating the ballroom space for her every year.

"I think it is. We just underwent a remodel and the room is different. It may change a few things for you, you know, where you want the flowers and such. In fact," Tony said, "You'll be the first event that the room has seen since the remodel. I just don't think pictures will be enough for you."

She sighed. "Ok. Meredith comes in at 3, so I can leave then. I should make it there by 4 at the latest."

"I promise, you'll be glad I didn't just send pictures. If you'd like, I can arrange a dinner sampler for you, and maybe we can get the dinner menu out of the way while you're here," Tony said, the charm laid on really thick.

"No sense in trying to charm me Tony," Sydney said with a chuckle. "You'll be saving me a day or so of travel and work."

"Then what's with the sigh?"

"I had dinner plans with my boyfriend tonight that I'm going to have to cancel."

"Sydney, congrats. I've always felt you were too good to be alone," Tony said with genuine happiness in his voice. "Bring him with you. I'd love to meet him before the fundraiser."

"I'll call and see if he wants to come and give you a call before I hit the road."

"Sounds good. See you later." Sydney sighed as she hung up the phone. She got up from her desk and headed out to the front to talk with Erica and Natalie.

"What's up Syd? You look stressed." Erica asked.

"I just got off the phone with Tony and he needs me to go down to The Oakridge today. So, when Meredith comes in, I'm going to take off."

"So, you worked late last night and now you have to drive an hour there and back?" Natalie asked. Sydney nodded. "I know this is all a necessary evil, but damn."

"You get used to it," Sydney said as she stood up straight. "We have Miss Plasse's class coming in today, so Erica, could you go set up the tables please?"

"No problem," She said as she stood up. She looked at Sydney. "It was a really good idea to add this part to the fundraiser."

"Well, I just figured if we could put a little more humanity into it, we might get more attention. As it stands there will be two different papers covering the kids' art exhibit."

"Really?" Erica asked.

"Oh yeah. No one says no to Sydney James," Natalie said as the three of them laughed.

"Ok, I'm going to call the florist and put them on notice about a possible change to the order. Probably should call Celia too." Sydney sighed as she headed back to her office. "Let me know when the kids get here." Natalie saluted as Sydney walked into her office and grabbed her phone.

Hey hon. You're probably still sleeping, but I need to talk to you. Call or text when you get this.

She put down her phone, feeling a little guilty. I told him I'd cook for us tonight and now we're going out again...if he even wants to. Stupid fundraiser. She sat down in her chair and put her head on her desk in defeat. Her phone buzzed.

Hey beautiful. I was up, just in the shower. What's going on? Are you ok?

She smiled at her phone.

Stressed is all. I know I told you I'd cook for you tonight, but what would you say to an early dinner with me? I have to go to The Oakridge this afternoon to look at the recently renovated ballroom and the manager said he'd set up a dinner sampler for us if you wanted to come. You don't have to if you don't want to. We can meet up afterwards.