Before Us

She bolted through the door and out onto the sidewalk. Sterling watched her dash out and knew he had to convince his dad to hire her and her mom. He reached into his pocket and dialed his dad. No answer.
Then he dialed his dad’s assistant, Wendy.
“Hey, Sterling, what’s up? Everything okay?” she said.
“Hey, Wendy. Uh, yeah. There is a gal coming for an interview
with her mom. Her name is Haven and we have to convince
dad to hire them.”
“This is your dad we’re talking about. He does what he wants.
If he’s not interested, he won’t listen to us.” she said.

“Well, we have to give it our best shot. I have to get to know
her. Text me when the interview is over.”
“Will do, Sterling,” Wendy said, hanging up and shaking her
head.
Haven dashed across the street and took a breath. Opening the lobby door to the hotel, she strolled in. She went and sat beside Sherri.
“Where have you been?” she said. “It’s almost time for the
interview.”
“Relax. It’s not like I’m going in with you. However, there is
something you should know.”
“What?”
“The person hiring for the job is Gunner Steele,” Haven said.
“What?!” Sherri let out a gasp. “Are you sure? Where did you
go, anyway? I thought you were right behind me.”
“I was until someone tackled me,” Haven said.
“Tackled?”
“Yeah, by Gunner’s son, Sterling.”
A lady with blond hair stepped out of a conference room.
She scanned the room of people, trying to pick out the travelers
from the interviewees. This was taking longer than she or her
boss wanted it to. She wished he would have been a little more
organized in his approach. But that was Gunner Steele for you.
It was his way or no way and you didn’t question him. Gunner
helped her many times over the years so she couldn’t complain.
She snapped herself out of her thoughts.
“Sherri Campbell?” she called. Sherri squeezed Haven’s hand,
stood up, and headed back to the conference room.
“Hello Sherri, I’m Wendy Hayes, Gunner’s assistant and
hiring manager.”

“Wait, Gunner? As in Gunner Steele?” Sherri said in disbelief.
“Yes. Is that a problem?”
“No, not at all. I’m sorry, it’s just that I worked for his dad
back in the day. I did his hair and makeup.”
“Oh wow. You may be what he needs, but if you only do hair
and makeup.”
“My daughter could do wardrobe. She’s got an excellent eye
for fashion. We could work together.”
“Go on in and talk to him,” Wendy said, cracking open the
door.
Sherri stepped in and paused, looking at Gunner. He looked
just like his dad, but his face was a little thinner. Her memories
with Granger came back, and she had to reign them in. He
looked up from his laptop.
“Sherri Campbell?”
“Yes,”
“Gunner Steele, nice to meet you..”
“Thank you.” she sat and took a minute to compose herself.
“Your resume struck me. It says you worked for my father?”
“Yes. When he was just starting out playing local gigs and
around the Midwest, he hired me to travel with him and do
his hair and makeup. I charged little back then.” She said. “We
spent three summers on the road and then when he signed his
recording contract and went out on his first national tour, he
kept me. I spent five national tours on the road with him. I
remember when you were born.”
“Very good. How long has it been since you got your
cosmetology degree? Do you know all the latest trends? I
always want to look my best.”
“It’s been several years, I’m afraid.”
“How many is several?”

“Fifteen, but I can research online and take classes to learn
all the latest techniques. “
“What did you do before this?”
“I was head of the creative department at Rogan and Rogan
cosmetics. Makeup and hair have been my passion forever.”
“Why did you quit?”
“I miss working with people.” she lied.
“Okay. What about wardrobe and fashion? What do you
know about that?”
“I know nothing about it, but my assistant does. Haven is a
fashion genius and her friends are always asking her for advice
on what to wear. She doesn’t have a degree in fashion, but she
has an eye for knowing what goes together. She worked on
her school fashion show last year and designed all the clothes.
The models loved it and every outfit fit them. She has a talent
for knowing what works on people.”
“I see. And your assistant is?”
“My daughter, Haven. “
“Uh, huh.” He said, scrolling his computer screen. “I think
that’s all for now. Thank you for coming in and we’ll be in
touch.”
“Okay. Thank you for your time, Gunner.” Sherri said,
turning and walking out to the lobby.
Wendy and Sterling stepped into the conference room and
shut the door.
“So, what gives with Sherri?” Wendy said.
“Her experience is too outdated and her daughter knows
about fashion but doesn’t have a degree in it. I need someone
with more experience. More up-to-date experience. Who else
ya got?”
“That’s it, ” Wendy replied after perusing her list.

“Dad. Sherri traveled with grandpa years ago, doesn’t that
count for something? She spent five tours with him and so
what if her experience is a little rusty? She can take online
courses and watch tutorials to learn about the latest trends and
techniques. And her daughter knows fashion and has an eye
for it. I say give them a shot. In fact, right now I’d say they are
your only shot.” Sterling replied.
“I agree,” Wendy replied. “You need someone out on tour
with you in a week. This is no time to be picky. I think you
need to hire them.” Gunner let out a heavy, agitated sigh.
“Fine. Sterling, go get them.” Sterling got up and sprinted
out the door and through the lobby.