The rain is pounding down hard and heavy on my tight-knit hat my Mother made for years back. 'A good hat will last you a lifetime' Mother always said, too bad she didn't last a lifetime. My coat was drenched as I rushed thru the streets of Paddington, London. I don't have a car but that's just fine today society relies too much on transportation anyway. As I dashed on my flooding sidewalks I noticed many old ladies in fluffy dresses stepping out of midnight black chariots and men dressed up as if they were on their way to a ball holding her delicate hand, as if she truly need help getting out of her ride. But even if he treats the woman like a fragile Cornelia flower which could wither any moment a true woman is one who knows how to stand on her own to feet. But I have no time to look at our corrupted world because I have sn important meeting with destiny.
Finally, I reach the street which should be titled Fate but it's really called Dustin Street I march up to a tall brick building my hands are shaking and not because it's cold outside. When I touch the gold doorknob I feel a great feeling that my future was on the other side of this very door. I take a deep breath then opened the door. When I step into the building warmth from a possible fireplace slaps me in the face, a lady who looks uninterested in anything but the berry tart that sits on a plate before her, glares me down. I take off my wet coat and throw it to the ground with a clump, then I take off my hat shaking it a bit before placing it back on my head then walk towards the desk.
"I have an appointment with Mr. Lakens," I say flashing a crooked smile, she looks me up and down before saying,
"And when is your appointment?" she asks while flipping thru a book that has all of the appointments written down.
"Oh um," I say digging thru my pockets looking for a piece of paper that I had written the details of this meeting on. The lady raises an eyebrow, I feel my skin flush bright red. Finally, after minutes of the awkward silence, I had drawn while I pocket dived I finally found a damp piece of parchment in my second pocket.
"Um let's see, I think this says 2:00? or 4:00 no no 3:00" I corrected.
"You can't read your own handwriting" the woman interjected
"No, my coat" I start pointing to my coat that still lays soaked on the floor.
"It's soaked and the water must have sunk to my pants pocket and caused the ink to bleed"
"Uh-huh," she remarked eyeing me suspiciously.
"Will tell me your name and I'll just have to look for it "
"Oh Betsy, Besty Andreson"
"Besty, Besty. Ah! here you are, well it seems as your right on time go up the stars Mr. Lankens will see you now"
"Thank you" I replied happily as I walked thru the walnut frame to a marble staircase, I took these steps up this grand stairs case feeling hope hanging heavy in my heart. Once at the top I walked pass many doors till I found the one saying Mr. Lankens. In out, I breathed then turned the knob trying to keep calm. When I step inside the strong smell of pine needles cozies up into my nose, I try hard not to cough because this is the smell of my future.
"Hello, sir?" I say looking around the extravagant room. There are fancy chairs and a massive fireplace on the side of the room, tall bookcases cover one side of the wall and two pictures cover the other. Front and center is a wooden desk one single chair and Mr. Lankens sitting there looking uninterested in me.
"Besty I presume?"
"Uh, Yes Sir" I conceded walking over slowly and sitting in the chair expecting it to be comfortable but actually finding it to be completely overstuffed.
"Well your my last appointment for today so let's get this over with"
"Oh ok, no problem" I vowed to try to hide my hurt. I mean this was my big moment and he's trying to rush it.
"So I hear you got something big, a story you believe to be a hit?" he quizzed
"I- Yes, It's a story of hard work, coming of age, purity-"
"I'm sorry Ms. Andreson"
"But answer me this, who would want to read that?" he disputes
"I beg your pardon"
"I mean I was just listening to you and frankly I was regretting letting this appoint happen" I try to hide my pain, but his words bruise me in many places.
"Is there any romance, humor?"
"Yes heartbreak and hard work are all important but you must add a little life into your story"
"But you haven't even read it yet!"
"Here's the thing, I don't need to"
"Come back, 1 year with a another level to your story" he challenges
"And remember Ms. Andreson it needs a life" he calls after me as I walk out of his office my head hung low, life? what is that even supposed to mean. I step out of the building where i thought my new life would be and start my slow walk back home.
Still in the dumps, I reach Arch Manor before sunset and I'm greeted by the sound of children dashing from every decretion water, on the floor, and the maids in a fuss.
"Ms. Anderson, Ms. Cooper wants to know if you'll be coming for dinner?" a maid declared.
"No"
"What about tomorrow?"
'No" I stay heading up the stairs not bothering to look at the lady, but I can tell she's not satisfied and debating if she should ask another question.
"Tell Elizbeth I'm going out of town for a while," said
"Do you mind telling me where you're going to?" she asks, I pause considering telling her.
"Home"
YOU ARE READING
Besty Anderson
General FictionYoung Best Anderson thought she was going to publish her first book and have a huge breakthrough, but when the publisher says her story needs more 'life' Besty goes back home to find more 'life'. She catches up with her childhood best friend/ sweeth...
