A Woman in Search Of...

Wendy and Carol closed the nursery at five and Wendy headed home to clean up, and then over to Elliott’s. She wondered what he was preparing for dinner.

The minute he opened the door, and she went in, the waft of something delicious hit her. “What do I smell?”

“It’s stroganoff. We also have chicken marsala.”

“Wow! It smells great. I never thought about you as a gourmet cook.”

“I don’t think you can call me a gourmet, but I do like to cook. Want some wine?”

“Love some.” She sat down on the sofa when Elliott handed her the drink.

“A toast,” he said as he sat next to her.

“Okay, to what?”

“How ‘bout to our loving relationship?”

“I’ll drink to that.” They clinked glasses and drank.

Elliott finished up in the kitchen while Wendy set the table. A vase of daisies rested in the center. She considered how thoughtful he was…he always was.

At the dining room table, they sat kiddy corner from each other and relaxed in the luxury of being in this moment.

“You seem to really enjoy cooking.”

“I do. My dad liked to cook so I learned from him and my mom. I like to create meals that are not only delicious, as I hope they are, but look good to the eye.”

“It’s wonderful. Love the food and the presentation.” She learned something new about him…she didn’t know he cooked so well.

They ended the evening cuddled together under a comforter.

After breakfast Elliott went to his art studio in West LA, and Wendy home to clean up and change clothes.

At the nursery she talked to a few familiar customers before going to the office. She perused the calendar. The stalling about closing the Grill was over. Jake and Wendy needed to decide on the closing date and when to fire Stan. Wendy ruminated for a while before calling Jake to see what he thought. They decided to meet at a local restaurant.

“How are you taking this?” Jake asked after the waitress left.

“I’m still grappling with it, but I’ll be relieved once it’s done, and I can move on.”

“I know the feeling. So, how ‘bout we fire Stan next week.”

“Sounds great to me.”

“I’ll have my attorney, Ben, with us and Elliott’s friend, Adam, the temporary bartender, so he can take over right then.”

“How do you think Stan will react?”

“Well, Wendy, I imagine he will be furious, mostly at being found out and probably thinking of the money he’ll no longer have access to.”

“Agree.”

“And we can smile as he walks out.”

“Can’t wait for that moment.” The relief of this nightmare coming to an end made her decide to go for a drive to relax, to get away. She steered toward Malibu. She by passed the Grill and listened to a radio station she liked playing Barry Manilow’s, Looks Like I Made It. A soothing song that helped Wendy realize she was about to be free of Stan.

Once in Malibu she pulled into a beach parking lot and stopped the car. She watched the seagulls as they dove for fish. Her mind returned to the two businesses, in addition, to the periodic assistance she gave to Claudia with her House Retreats. Wendy knew she was involved in too much and she acknowledged the complications involved in over-reaching.

She also knew she had so much to be grateful for. She was financially secure, she owned her house, thanks to her parents, and of course, there was Elliott. A man so supportive in everything she endeavored to do. She felt needed, loved, and cared for. So, why was she thinking about all that? Something was eating at her, depressing her but she couldn’t define it. She realized she needed to go back to Dr. Lewis to talk to someone neutral. Maybe the sadness over the Grill plagued her. But she also considered Scott’s changes and a possible changing relationship with him. She just knew Dr. Lewis could help her.

Her thoughts stopped when the wind whipped up and debris hit her windshield. She drove out of the parking lot, heading home. She needed peace and quiet and time to unclutter her mind.