Contact Constrictions

Neighborhood News

Sun beats down on my face through the window above my bed forcing me to wake up and face another day. I very sluggishly crack my eyes open and am blasted with a blinding amount of light. AH! The sun shouldn't be allowed to shine so bright in the morning. (Note to self: buy some curtains.) Retreating under the covers, I moan and coax myself to move. Okay, up and at it. I make a beeline for the kitchen and stuff my face with some Apple Cinnamon Cheerios. After getting ready, I walk down to my car,which is a precious light blue "punch buggy", with the keys swinging in my hand. Wow, it's really beautiful outside today. A crisp breeze brushes my face, and it smells like freshly cut grass. The pleasant atmosphere arouses a peaceful and jolly mood. Moving trucks line the street where my cozy house in the suburbs is located. That's strange. It looks like they're settled around the Barker's vacation house. The sugary sweet southern family owns the petite home next to Lisa. They must be renting it out. A giggle escapes my throat,Lisa despises noise. I'm quite sure that our movie night tonight will be filled with complaining from her and gossip about the new neighbor delivered by Cassie. She is the queen bee of our neighborhood. Always "buzzing" around in others business. Slipping into my car, I take one last glance in the direction of the assembly of vehicles. I must admit it has me curious. Oh well, there will be plenty of time for pondering this later. A catchy song pours out of the speakers as I make my commute. Today is looking to be fantastic! Let's hope that the dragon lady is on board with the whole "fantastic day" thing. I pull my bug into the parking spot I have unspokenly claimed as my own. Okay God, I could really use a superb day. Please. I take a deep breath and push myself in the door. Maybe, Gothel will stay in her office for once. Poop! Someone let the beast out of her cage, and into the lobby. Strutting her plump body towards me, she exudes attitude. Here we go. "You there,model, come here!"she screeches with that voice that grinds on my nerves like sandpaper. "Yes Ms.Gothel?" I respond gently. "Hmph." What could possibly wrong with me saying that? Glancing at her watch, she looks up and scowls at me. "It is now 7:31. You are late, therefore holding up all production." You have got to be kidding me. That's only a stinking minute! One of the perks of modeling for so long is that you learn how to control your face so that it doesn't at all reflect how you feel. Using that know-how, I squeeze my face into a charming smile. "I'll head right to the stylists." That's what gets said out loud. Inside I'm screaming "Woman! Why don't you take you and your rolls up the stairs and talk to somebody about plastic surgery or a diet plan or something?!" Stomp,stomp,stomp. What is that sound? Oh, it's me marching away before my smile slips and my tongue lets loose. Occasionally I think about doing just that. But I know that instead of getting me fired, it would just cause her to be even more of a tyrant. In addition to that I don't think The Lord would be very pleased with such a display. So, I just bottle it up and plop down into the styling chair to wait for my hair and makeup lady Lucenda. Luce comes in bringing a smile to my face. What a character that one is. Every week she has a new "look". Apparently, the circus is in town, because an aqua blue afro is perched on her head. It is accompanied by rainbow eye-shadow up to her eyebrows. It makes me think of the story of Noah and the promise God made. It's quite possible that is where she got the idea. Lucenda is a Christian too. "Swell hair today, Luce." I manage to offer the complement with a straight face. "Thanks sweet potato!" she beams. "Sweet potato", just one of the quirky older woman's names for me. We chit-chat about work until I'm ready for today's product show at the premiere salon in NYC. She lets me unload on her and it always makes me feel so much better. "Thank you for everything." I say pulling her into a hug. "No problem sugar blossom! Keep that stunning smile on your face. Things will get better." She offers. I sure hope so. Well, the day turned out to be extremely frustrating, big surprise. By the time I was done with the show I had been through two more sessions with Lucenda before my head was approved. Finally, I had just the right appearance and was "allowed" to walk out. The day wasn't pure misery though due to a surprise that greeted me around three o'clock. While preparing to leave, some of the big-shots approached me. They asked me how I felt about the new curl mouse. They actually asked me! Take that old woman! So I professionally stated, "Our newest product has amazing quality for a reasonable price. Unlike the others, which are sold for insane amounts." I mean really, some companies drive me nuts with snooty items and price tags that match the size of their big heads. A smile came to my face as I thought about how many things I could get from us compared to the competitors. Just when things were looking up, my ride broke down,and I ended up in the limo with Gothel. Twelve blocks riding next to that woman had me ready to smash one of those fancy champagne bottles over her head. Don't worry, I didn't. I was strong. Thrown in throughout the day were explosions from the old hag to keep things lively. At the end of the day I was beyond thrilled to pick up my keys from the rack in the crazy woman's office. She forces us to put our keys up. I guess she thinks we'll skip out on her. Not a terrible idea now that I think about it. To the parking garage! I was beyond ready to relax with my buddies and cry over a chick flick like "The Fault In Our Stars". Oh, and eat lots of junk food. I'm thinking popcorn and something chocolatey. Maybe something fried too. Ring Ring Ring. My phone interrupts my food fantasies. "Model in distress here." "Poor thing! Do you need saving?" Cassie asks as I clamber in to my car and turn the key. Oh no. "Um, I think I actually might. My car isn't starting!" Seriously? It seems like the battery is dead, but I know I turned the car and lights off. "Are you still at work? I'll come get you." "Thanks girl, you're the best." "Haha. I know." Tap Tap Tappity Tap Tap. I made a song with my feet in the downtime waiting for my friend. A car pulled next to mine, and I collected my stuff getting reading to hop in. Glancing up, I realized it wasn't Cassie's car,but a cherry read Ferrari. WOWZA! Cute guy alert! The hunk was at least 6'1" with muscles that would put an athlete to shame. Dark brown curls topped his head,and his face was so handsome it made me blush just looking at him! Who was this guy? I mean I have been working here for three years, and I have never seen him before. I must have been staring, really who wouldn't, because he looked right at me with a huge grin. "Can I help you?" the mysterious man asked. What do you say to that? No, I was just looking at you. Nice hair! No! Get yourself together girl! Being in desperate need of an answer, I panicked. Then it hit me, I was sitting in one! "Um, yeah actually. My car, it um, isn't starting" I choke out. Smooth Lani, so very smooth. "Well, that is a problem isn't it" He stated with a pleasant laugh. "I think it's the batteries." Hey, I managed to say that without blubbering. "Luckily for you I have some jumper cables." Hmm,that was convenient. After he got my car to a usable condition,I thanked him and he heading into the lions den. Seriously, that was just weird! This guy shows up. He rescues me. Then he goes in Turris. Oh, Cassie needs to know I can drive! Finding her contact as quickly as possible, I wait for her to pick up. "Patience is a virtue young grasshopper." "Cas! You'll never believe what just happened." "The hag finally got sick of you and you're free?" "Oh, what a nice thought. No, this guy just jumped my car off so I don't need ya to pick me up." "Nice! Okay well, I'll meet you at your house for movie night." "Bye" "Bye, bye" Tears,laughter,and some spying occurred that night. After Cassie said the new neighbor was a guy, we all "casually" drove by his house. All that we saw in the semi-darkness was a red or orange car. It was hard to tell. The image of Mr.Jumper Cables kept coming to mind. Surely not,right?