A Woman in Search Of...

Wendy dressed for the cold November weather. A beige turtleneck sweater and her dark brown slacks were under her long, black wool coat. She preferred the cold to the heat. In the cold you could cover up with sweaters, jackets, or coats, but you could only take off so much when the heat hit. The LA area never got extremely cold, but for the natives, even the fifties were cold.

When she arrived at Claudia’s Wilshire Blvd. office Wendy showed her the scaled sketch and a list of plants. Claudia studied it briefly. “I truly think the five plants for the inside will look wonderful. The patio plants look like they will be used to their best advantage. Great job.”

“Thank you. When can I take the plants and set them up? Also, do you select the outdoor furniture or do I?”

“I’ll take care of the furniture. It will be a wrought iron table painted white with four matching wrought iron chairs. Two for each side. The cushions will be covered with a yellow and peach floral pattern.”

“Sounds distinctive,” Wendy said as she took notes.

“You can have the plants delivered next week, but I’ll call the owner first to see when she wants us there. Claudia handed Wendy a key to the back door of the Holmby Hills’ house in case the woman was away at the time Wendy brought the plants.

“Thanks. I’ll wait for your call.”

“Good.”

Two days later Claudia called and said Wednesday was the best day and the owner wouldn’t be there. On Wednesday Wendy and the driver, Charlie, drove over with the plants. Charlie carried the plants to the back and set pots on the patio where Wendy indicated. A schefflera and a palm were placed inside the living room near the sliding doors. She set a croton next to a window. Outside she placed six smaller potted plants on a four-foot-wide wrought iron plant stand she brought. On the table Wendy set a pink impatient. She looked at Charlie. “What do you think?”

“Looks great to me.”

“Good and thanks.”

Wendy admired the picturesque scene she created. This successful challenge validated her and compelled her to keep focused on her skills. She left the key under the pink impatient.

They returned to The Shade House. Charlie went on to other deliveries. Wendy called Claudia to let her know she finished the job, also telling her where she left the key. Wendy liked the work she did with Claudia and hoped she could do it again.

As soon as she got home Scott called.

“How are you?’

Wendy still wasn’t sure why he continued to stay in touch with her but because of her pride and excitement over the job she just finished she wanted him to know about the achievement.

“Fine. I just got in the door. I just finished a patio decorating project.”

“So happy for you.”

Wendy heard something out of him she remembered a long time ago…kindness. “Thanks. Listen I really need to get going.”

“No problem, I understand.”

They hung up. He impressed her with his attitude and his contacting her again. But she didn’t have time for him in her life. Too many good things in her head.