She stood in the middle of the store on the perfectly polished parquet. She worked Monday through Friday and one day out of the weekend. She and her co-workers pretty much stuck to the same schedules. The only times the schedule changed was when the semester changed at school and when days off were requested. She worked thirty-five hours a week, which allowed her to pay the bills and food. She just did make it with little to spare. It was the commission on everything she sold that allowed her to play. Not to mention the four hundred dollars a month she got from her friend Monica. Monica had been living with her for the last four months.
Even on her budget, she still managed to dress to impress. She was the master of seeing something in a magazine and finding it for much less. The only thing she didn�t skimp on were the shoes. She didn�t pay seven hundred dollars for a pair of Manolo Blahniks but she wouldn�t be caught dead in Payless. She accepted the middle ground. It was Etienne Aigner and Nine West. She stood on her feet too much to wear blister-inducing footwear.
She walked over to a potential customer in her black strappy sandals. Coupled with her short gray skirt they accentuated her long legs.
�Hello, may I help you with anything specific today?� She asked. He was over six feet tall, lean frame with salt and pepper hair.
�I�m going on a golfing and scuba weekend in the Bahamas. I want to get a few things.�
�Well, right this way. I�ll take you to casual wear first.� She looked back at him, �And maybe a new dinner jacket as well?�
He smiled, �You suggest and I�ll buy. I trust your style.�
This was what made it so easy for her. Either men were suckers, eager to impress or simply indifferent about how much money they spent.
**
It was 7:25 and she was entering into her neighborhood. One of the reasons she loved working in a small exclusive store was because she was able to clear out soon after closing. It was the equivalent of a boutique for women. Men, at least the good ones loved to shop just as much as women do. At a minimum, she had five thousand dollars a week in sales. On a good week, she had been known to get eight. She was pretty excited because it was November and the holiday rush was about to start. It was going to be her first holiday season at the store but not her first experience with rich people during the holidays. When she lived in Atlanta she worked in Buckhead. It was one of the richest areas in the country.
It was no surprise when she pulled into her driveway next to Monica�s car and saw that Ben wasn�t there. He struggled to be on time so there was no way he was going to be early. She went directly to her bedroom and got out of her clothes and into the shower.
She put on a men�s dress shirt and rolled the sleeves just above her elbows. It was her favorite around the house attire. Monica�s door was ajar so she knocked and waited to be granted permission to enter.
�Yeah, come in.� Monica was sitting on her bed painting her toenails. �Hey, what�s up?�
�Same old thing. Studying tonight.� It was at that moment that she remembered Ben, �Did Ben come over or anything?�
She shook her head, �No, its been quiet since you got here.�
She was going to kill him. She looked at the clock on Monica�s wall. It was 7:50. Just as she was about to excuse herself to go call Ben the doorbell rang, �He�s saved.�
Monica laughed, �I�ll be out there in a minute when my nails dry.�
�Okay.�
�Hey, I made some spaghetti. You guys feel free. I made more than enough.�
�Thanks Mon. I�m sure Ben�s stomach will thank you.�
She opened the door and placed a hand on her hip as she blocked his entry. He simply pushed her aside, �I know, I know but you didn�t really plan on me being here on time anyway.�
He was right she didn�t. �I�m going to grab my books out of my room. I�ll meet you in the living room.�
**
They got in a good hour and a half of studying and she made him a plate of spaghetti to go.
�Thanks.� He turned once he was outside, �Hey, my brother and his friend are coming into town for some expo thing at the convention center. We�re going out to dinner Saturday night. You should join us.�
Ben was a true college kid. He was 22 years old; and a junior just like her. He took a year off from school but his parents finally put their foot down and demanded he went to college. Not having a degree was not an option for someone from his family. His parents were quite accomplished and well respected in their community.
�I don�t get off until after 7:00. Maybe I can meet you guys for drinks after dinner.�
�Ok, cool. We�ll talk about it later. See you.� She waved good-bye, set the alarm and wished Monica goodnight before she went to bed. It was almost ten and she was ready for her head to fall on a soft cool pillow. She closed the door behind her not because she didn�t trust Monica but due to the way she slept. She always slept in as little clothes as possible and on her stomach. The idea of her butt in the air in some awkward position was not very appealing.
003 | No Ordinary Girl