“Grace!” Mummy called, “Can you please get the door?” I grunted as I put my dollies back into the box, promising them that I’d be back soon. I stomped down the stairs and I skipped past the mirror down the hall and I opened the door. There he was, standing tall and lean. His brown hair was curly, and it fell near his bright blue eyes. He wore pretty clothes, like the men in magazines. He wore perfectly ironed white trousers and a beautiful sky blue jumper with a white collar popping out near the neck. He kneeled down and I could smell his perfume. It reminded me of Dad on Sunday mornings. “Hello there!” He said. His voice felt nice, just like licking the rest of the cake batter from the bowl off my fingers. His eyes stared into mine for a second then shot upwards. “Ms. Carlson!” Mummy had come to greet the pretty man. “Hey James! I see you’ve met my Grace,” said Mummy, leading him into the house. “Cute kid” he said as he followed Mummy into the living room. It was a while before I got back to my senses. I thought the pretty man’s eyes had hypnotized me like I saw on TV the other day, but I managed to get back to my room all right. I felt different though and it was as if they had filled me up with air and I was floating like a balloon. I ran to my bed and grabbed Chester and hugged him tight. I couldn’t stop smiling.
We came into a spacious living room that was magnificently furnished. A huge window, looking out on a clean blue pool, let in the warm sunshine. There was rich, dark mahogany everywhere; the tables, the bookcase and a grand piano that was the centerpiece of the room. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. It was more than clear that Ms. Carlson had great taste, in furniture at least. We sat down and she said, “This is it. You think it’ll do?” “I think it’s perfect!” I replied. We started talking about the preparations for next week; what she needed to come in and what she wanted to be taken out. She then began to show me around the room. “I’d like to have some more chairs brought in here, about fifteen more, and that is where the food’s going to be.”
We slowly made our way to the bar, which faced the living room from the east side and was open to a small, tidy kitchen. We continued chatting about the party while she poured me some fresh lemonade. She then said, “I don’t know what to do with the piano though, it’s taking up so much space and I don’t know if I should keep it.” I didn’t have to think twice about it. “Don’t even think about it,” I nearly screamed. “It just pulls everything together. You should definitely keep it.” We talked about the colour scheme and the flower arrangements and the catering and all the while I jotted all the information down on my Blackberry. After a short while, it was time to head back to the office. It was clearly going to be a long week, but I was sure it would all be worth it in the end. I loved my job. I told Ms. Carlson to give me a call whenever she had to. “Thanks for the lemonade. Loved it,” I said as I headed out. “No problem, I’ll tell Grace you liked it.” “Grace?” I said looking back. “My daughter,” replied Ms. Carlson, as the little girl’s head turned quickly behind the wall.
“What are you doing, sneaking behind walls?” Mummy said. I could feel my ears getting hot. “I wanted to get myself some lemonade.” I ran to the counter where the cool jug was. “Who was that, Mummy?” “James? He’s going to help organize the party we’re having here next week, for Mummy’s new magazine.” “How come?” “Well, it’s what he does. It’s his job, and he’s very good at it.” I was still a little puzzled by this, I had never heard of anyone who threw parties for a living. “You can stay and watch him work next time he comes by. Would you like that?” My heart did a little flip; he’s coming over again. “Yes” I said putting my now empty glass back on the counter.
To be continued.
