My Twin Flame

Chapter Four

Thankfully my week had slowed down greatly. Surprisingly enough Vanessa was taking her punishment well. With the exception of our trip to the ER Saturday so Max could get stitches on his shin from his nearly missed home run, it was looking pretty up.

"So who is going to answer the phones for you well I am gone in Fiji?"

"I was thinking of asking Vanessa, thought I could pay her a little bit for helping me out. I kinda thought it could be bonding time for us."

"Not to mention paying your way back on to her good side."

"That's not what I am doing Shell! It will teach her some responsibility. It will be good for her."

"Keep telling yourself that honey. Man, I wish you were coming with me. It woulda been such a blast."

"You got what's-his-name's wife there. You'll be fine."

"Oh you mean Gretchen, yeah about that. Ed invited Ray and her over for dinner the other night. I don't think she is like me and you."

"And why is that?"

"Because she started asking me what verses we were having read by the preacher at the wedding." Shell just gave a half smile as if she couldn't believe that was a thing people did at a wedding. She is definitely not the virtuous type. "I just told her I didn't know any of them. To try to be nice. So she brought out her bible and started reading passages to me. I lost her at patient and kind. Ed is not patient."

"I think I laughed hard enough for my diet soda to spray out my nose. "You have got to be shitting me." I say as I wipe up the soda now all over my desk. "Did Ed at least give them warning?"

"Nope, didn't give me any kind of warning either. When they got there I was wearing jean shorts and an old Pearl Jam t-shirt with a cigarette hanging out of my mouth. I looked like something outta a trailer park I bet ya. At least to her."

"Oh, I would have paid a lot of money just to see the look on her face."

"I have had a lot of looks come my way and I can tell you that is not one I've seen before. I'm not sure if she was offended, scared, or pissed off." We both just sat there for a minute laughing.

"Well I think it is about time to get this work day finished up. I wanna get home. I decided to let Vanessa go to this beach party. As long as I can drop her and pick her up."

"Really Brooklyn, at least let her go with a friend, you're trying to get closer, not commit social suicide for her."

"Well we'll see. Now tell me where we are with the Flannigan account?"

"Their carpet is being installed next week and Zach called today. He said his crew was done painting. I have already set up an appointment for Barbara so that you can sit down with Mrs. Flannigan and discuss linens and upholstery. She wants her curtains and upholstery to be custom. Which is great for us. We can get old used crap and Barbara can work her magic. Budget saver."

"What day are we meeting with Barbara? I need to put it into my calendar."

"Ummm, the 29th."

"Of this month? That is tomorrow Shell. I am meeting with Jim and Jenny Jones tomorrow to do an estimate."

"Nope next month."

"Wait why? Is Barbara really that backed up? Business must be picking up for her." Suddenly Shell had this hand in the cookie jar look on her face.

"No, I think we are her only clients. I figured I could talk you into going to Fiji so I kept your schedule clear."

"So I have no appointments at all well you're gone? Nothing to do? Shell, that's just great. So now I got to call all my clients and change their appointments."

"Or you could just go to Fiji!"

"Shelly I would love to go to Fiji with you; I told you I don't have anyone to sit with the kids. Plus I cannot afford to pay anyone to do it."

"You still have time to find one."

"You are leaving on Sunday, you tell me where I can find a trusted sitter in two days, pack, and run off to Fiji?"

"It could be done, you just don't try."

"Thank you for making me feel crappie." Let's get back to work.