Chapter 13

      Lizzy flipped the page on her calendar to November. She always felt refreshed when a new month began. She felt renewed, a little rejuvenated, and a little encouraged. Usually she looked forward to a new month, because of these feelings she obtained. But this time, she felt she didn’t need this extra boost of feel-goodness. She had Braden. She really, truly had him now, without a doubt.

          As soon as things became clear at the flower store, things became different. Things were not awkward. They were wonderful, in fact.

          Lizzy sighed happily as she looked at the calendar as it showed the eleventh consecutive famous landmark of England. She had gotten it in March from her parents, when it was finalized that she would be going to England for a school year. This landmark was the clock tower, the Big Ben, in London. The month she loved best was June; it showed the Buckingham Palace overflowing with late spring abundance. The month before had shown Stonehenge in its simplicity, but also in its magnificence.

          Lizzy pushed in a tack into her corkboard, where her calendar hung. Right below the corkboard sat her vase that formerly held her blue agapanthus. The flower had bloomed fully; she replaced it with another that was in the midst of blooming. Thinking of flowers, she knew that she soon needed to go to L’Arome; her job as a watering girl had become regular down there at the flower shop. Colette had begun paying her unofficially; maybe thirty pounds a week or so. Having that come into mind, Lizzy swept her bouncy blonde hair into a side ponytail and leapt downstairs.

Like most days, the first person she saw was Jerry.

“Beautiful Monday morning, isn’t it?” Jerry said as he sat down at the breakfast table, next to Sylvia, who was scanning over the morning paper. On account of having a day off of school, everyone was sitting around the breakfast table.

 Jerry looked out the large window by the table at the sunny, but gusting, outdoors. Braden was next to Jerry, eating two toasted bagels, buttered with cinnamon. Gwen was sipping on something, while also eating a grapefruit, and carving it out with her spoon.

          “Yes,” Lizzy replied. Then she grabbed a large blueberry muffin from the basket on the island table. “It sure is.”

          “I’m glad October’s finally over. Now all we have is November, a little bit of December, and then it’s Christmas break!” Braden said excitedly. Or, at least as excitedly as a person could be when her or she just woke up.

          “I agree,” said Gwen. She slid a piece of ruby red grapefruit into her mouth. “I’m ready for school to give us a small break, at least.” Gwen tucked her light brown hair behind one ear.

          Lizzy realized in the moment in which small family talk was taking place that she was no longer afraid to just be with the family. She wasn’t afraid of awkward silences; she wasn’t afraid much of anything now that she had sorted things out with Braden.

          Lizzy sliced her almost overwhelmingly huge muffin in half, making it a little easier to deal with. Then she took a seat next to Sylvia.

Jerry then began to speak. “Well, now that we’re all up and awake, I have some good news to share,” He said, as he got up to rinse his plate in the sink. He sat back down to face the family.

          “What is it, dear?” Sylvia said, crossing one leg, and folding up the newspaper.

Braden looked up, interested. His eyes twinkled as he looked at Lizzy. She smiled, just to return the excitement. Even Gwen was giving an agreeable look of anticipation.

“Well,” Jerry said, looking around at everyone with his soft gleaming eyes. “Aunt Joanie and Uncle Rich have invited us over for Christmas this year by the lake.”

Gwen’s face immediately swallowed its temporarily pleasant expression and turned into a look of horror. However, Braden was all smiles.

“That’s brilliant!” Braden exclaimed. He jumped up from his seat in anticipation.

“Mum!” Gwen complained. She looked at her mother for support. “What does dad mean?” Her embittered words were drowned out by Braden’s incessant questions and exclamations. 

“When are we leaving? How long are we staying? Is Uncle Rich going to take us ice fishing this time? ” Braden was nearly jumping up and down with elation.

“Now, Braden,” Jerry said, chuckling. “Calm down. We are a family, and we must make sure that everyone would enjoy going.”

Braden took a seat.

Lizzy was certain this was a nice place to be, but she wasn’t for sure if she would “enjoy” staying with these Aunt Joanie and Uncle Rich people. Hopefully they were likable.

Gwen immediately opened her mouth in rejection of the idea. “Dad,” she said, trying to get his complete and undivided attention. “Remember what happened last time? Braden and I were bored stiff.” Gwen glanced at Braden for support.

Braden gave Gwen an expression of absolute surprise. “Are you kidding? I had a fantastic time! The only time I was bored was when Mum and Dad went to the “Full Moon” restaurant with Aunt Joanie and Uncle Rich. And that was only one night…plus we were younger. Just think, they’ll be three of us now.” Braden looked at Lizzy as if to say, “This is going to be great.”

“Jerry, dear, maybe you should try explaining exactly what the lake is to Lizzy, since she hasn’t exactly been to it before.” Sylvia said as she placed a caring hand on Jerry’s knee.

“Oh,” Jerry said glancing to Sylvia thoughtfully. “Thank you, sweet.” Jerry looked more attentively toward Lizzy.

“Their lake house is a little outside Barkersburg, which is about four hours northwest of here, a little northeast of Liverpool, wouldn’t you say, dear?” Jerry turned toward Sylvia.

“Almost straight north,” Sylvia said. “But close enough.” She smiled warmly.

“So, in Barkerland, my brother Richard lives with his wife Joan, who we call Joanie, in a nice little cottage by Cannon Lake.” Jerry said, almost warming up to thought.

“I wouldn’t exactly call it a cute little cottage…it was more like a hunting lodge…” Gwen mumbled to herself.

“Yes,” Sylvia added, nodding to Lizzy, clearly ignoring Gwen’s selfish comments. “Quite a picturesque house. We stayed…how many years ago was it?” Sylvia looked to Braden and Gwen for an answer.

“Well, I was ten, so it would have been about six years,” Braden said.

 Gwen harrumphed in her own misery in the possibility of going to the lake again.

“Wow,” Lizzy said. “It sounds great!” She truly thought so, and had no other way of describing her happiness to Sylvia or Jerry.

“Yes!” Braden said. It was one of those moments that would have been appropriate to punch a fist in the air. “You’re going to love it!” Braden said, his crystal green-blue eyes shining.

“Plus,” Jerry said. “Since you are older now, Uncle Rich thought he could finally take all you kids ice fishing!”

“Yes!” Braden said once again.

Lizzy had always gone fishing with her dad at Hampton Beach whenever they went to visit there. She had to admit, she did love to fish.

“No!” Gwen retorted. She threw her head back.

Jerry finally took a notice to Gwen’s ceaseless quarrelsome attitude. “Why is it you do not want to go? As I recall you weren’t terribly disappointed with last time’s visit.”

“Well,” Gwen paused as she thought up an excuse in her head. “I just pretended like I was enjoying myself.” She said in a self-aggrandizing way.

“Now Gwen, just because you think you won’t have a good time, doesn’t mean you won’t. You’re older now, I promise, you’ll have much more fun.” Jerry assured Gwen.

“Yeah…okay.” Gwen said as she picked up her plate and placed it in the sink. Then she stomped her way upstairs.

Jerry stretched out his arms and looked up in hopelessness. Then he turned to Sylvia as if to say, “Help!”

“I think everyone will have a great time.” Sylvia said encouragingly.

“I do hope so,” Jerry said.

Lizzy decided to contribute more to this conversation, especially since it was tanking all due to Gwen’s sourness. “Well, I think it sounds nice. I mean, is it like, out there?” Lizzy said, curious as to what kind of landscape this cottage-lodge was surrounded by. She hoped she didn’t come off as a doofus when she said, “Out there”.

“Oh, yes, it is very remote.” Sylvia said, taking a sip of her steaming beverage.

“The nearest city is Bronteville. Which is, what, about thirty miles away?” Jerry started speculating in his mind.

“Well, what’s really great is that it’s encircled by this really thick, dense forest all made up of pine trees. Mostly blue spruces.” Braden said, almost leaping out of his chair again. “Then, by the house, there is this lake, this enormous lake, and on the shore there are all these rocks�"very good for skipping in the summer�"we ALWAYS go ice-skating though. It’s great! But only is the lake is frozen. It sort of depends on how long we’re staying and how cold it’s supposed to get.” Braden said, almost losing himself in the descriptions.  

“Well,” said Jerry, “According to my schedule, Christmas break starts on the nineteenth, and goes until the third of January. Then we start up school again on the fourth.” Jerry said. He got out of his seat to look at the calendar hanging by the large kitchen window. “Which means,” he paused to flip it to December. Then he counted the days. “We have sixteen whole days of Christmas Break.”

“So, are we leaving on the nineteenth?” Braden asked eagerly.

“We’ll have to see with Aunt Joanie and Uncle Rich before we decide, but it looks like we’ll be spending about twelve days there, maximum.” Jerry said. “How does that sound?” He turned around to Sylvia, Lizzy, and Braden.

“Good,” Lizzy said, as the other answered similarly.

“Swell,” Jerry said. “I’ll have to tell Joanie and Rich the good news.”

Jerry then went over to the phone and dialed their number. Sylvia got up, too.

“Lizzy, dear, I’ll be leaving in about twenty minutes, so make sure you’re ready. Okay?” Sylvia said sweetly.

“Alright, I will,” Lizzy answered.

Sylvia then exited the kitchen to go upstairs to change into a “work” outfit.

“You going to the flower shop today?” Braden said, finishing up the last bite of his bagel.

“Yup,” Lizzy said. “It actually is fun to do, spending time in that place so much, seeing all the different kinds of flowers…helping customers.” Lizzy smiled as she got up from her chair.

“I don’t think I could ever do what you do. Plus, I wouldn’t really want to be seen working in a flower store, you know what I mean? Especially since a lot of people shop there.” Braden said.

“What are you trying to say?” Lizzy said, hoping to have a little flirtatious finesse come off of her sentence.

“Well, ‘cause I’m a bloke…I mean it’s okay for you to work there, since you’re a girl and all,” Braden gave one of his sheepish smiles, as he looked at Lizzy out of the corner of his eye.

“Okay,” Lizzy said, trying to sound satisfied with his excuse.

“Hey,” Braden said, going over to Lizzy. “You get what I’m saying, right? I’m not meaning any offense.” He touched her shoulder as an act of reassuring.

“Yeah, it’s fine.” Lizzy said, trying to make her eyes bright in the glory of the morning sun that just so happened to be shining in her face at that moment. She touched his hand and pulled him in for a hug. “I get what you’re saying.” She whispered in his ear. Then she smiled at him as she turned to go upstairs to change.

He smiled back; probably in the most adorable way Lizzy had ever seen a guy smile. Maybe that was just because he was Braden.

                            

~

“Lizzy, dear, are you ready?” Sylvia said as she knocked on Lizzy’s bedroom door, which was clearly closed.

          Lizzy had been trying to reinvent her side ponytail that had been working out so perfectly until she accidentally pulled some of it out. Finally, she snapped it up in a bun just right and gave on last look in the mirror before she opened the door.

          Dark, ink-colored skinny jeans. The same pair she had worn on the day of her arrival there in England. Long-sleeved purple shirt with light, but soft, cream-colored sweater over it. Brown ballet flat shoes, with small dangling silver earrings for a nice flair. She was ready to go.

          “Yeah!” Lizzy said kindly as she opened her bedroom door.

          The two came down the stairs and Lizzy waited on a swirl-pattered seat in the living room as Sylvia got her keys and her purse. She saw Braden out of her peripheral vision leaving the kitchen. She stood up and walked to him as he was nearing the stairs.    

          “Goodbye,” She said to him.

          “Oh, you’re leaving already? Okay, bye!” Braden said sweetly as he started to hug her. He then began walk up the stairs. “Have a good time!”

          Lizzy smiled and replied quietly, “I will.”

          “Okay,” said Sylvia as she slid on her chic jacket. “I think we’re ready now.” She smiled as her glossy lips shined in front of her white teeth.

They both came outside into the beautifulness of the gusty autumn morning. Lizzy got into the passenger seat, and shut the door. And with that, Sylvia started up the car, pulled out of the driveway, and started down the street.

          As they drove out of the neighborhood, Lizzy began to speak.

          “So what’s on the agenda today? I mean, as far as watering flowers goes.” Lizzy asked Sylvia.

          “Well,” Sylvia said, making a right-turn. “If you look inside my purse in the middle pocket, there should be a hand-written schedule I made for you.”

          Lizzy began looking in the middle pocket for the paper. Soon enough, she pulled out a floral-bordered piece of notebook paper and began reading Sylvia’s narrow, but elegant, script.

          Lizzy read:

 

          Water Monday, November First:

            Chrysanthemums

            Irises

            Zinnias

            Orchids

            Cosmos

            Asiatic Lilies

            Carnations

 

          “I know it doesn’t seem like much, but with the dances with all the twelfth and eleventh year students, the carnations will need a lot of attention.” Sylvia said, slightly turning her head toward Lizzy.

          “Of course,” Lizzy agreed. “Colette told me to go easy on the Orchids, though. Apparently they are pretty finicky with watering levels.”

“Oh yes,” Sylvia replied. “Although they do need lots of water, they are quick to kill if they are over watered.”

“Got it.” Said Lizzy. “Anything else I should know?’

“I don’t think so, sweet,” Sylvia said, pondering the thought.

The rest of the short ride took about thirty seconds total. Pretty soon, Sylvia parked and they both leapt out of the car.

Lizzy was first to get to the door. She opened it, hoping to seem polite, as Sylvia went in first. Lizzy followed behind her.

The first thing Lizzy breathed in was the fresh scent of cinnamon and pumpkin; things you would normally associate with autumn. It was truly refreshing.

“Okay,” Sylvia announced as she took the watering can off of a counter and handed it to Lizzy. “Start wherever you like, dear, just as long as the job gets done.” Sylvia sealed her sentence with a sweet smile. “I’ll be by the purchasing counter if you need me.”

“Okay.” Lizzy replied. She then pulled out the semi-crumpled list of flowers she needed to water. She thought she’d start in order, rather than start spontaneously with one type of flower. So, to mix things up a little, she started from the bottom.

“Carnations.”  Lizzy said aloud. She knew exactly where they were, considering there were so many of them. Although, watering them was probably less than enjoyable because of the blank walls around…they were light, spring green, with no environmental background whatsoever. That particular part of the store was used interchangeably throughout the year with short-term or long-term common flowers, like carnations. Likewise, Lizzy stepped off to the carnation corner, ready to water endless amounts of fluffy assortments of pink, red, and white flowers.

Lizzy started at the end of the row that the carnations were in. These particular ones were white. She assumed this was the most popular of colors, considering there were less white than pink and red. They probably seemed the most neutral; not as lovey-dovey as pink.

In the midst of transitioning over to the pink carnations, Lizzy glanced over to her favorite part of the store: the Asiatic lily section. The background was so ornate and serene; she was in awe of how beautiful the large mural was. Not to mention it pretty much seemed to come to life when you noticed that the brightly colored flowers popping out. Peaceful. Especially the misting waterfall in the background. Lizzy could tell there were hints of purple painted within the abundant blues and whites. She found herself staring at it for some time. That is, until a man with an old, corduroy brown jacket stopped directly in front of it. Lizzy contained her sigh, continuing to water the carnations.

Soon, she finished the carnations, and next on the list were the Asiatic lilies. Lizzy smiled cheerfully; she loved the lilies. But first, she had to refill her watering can. She stepped over to coiled green hose that was set in pebbles and turned on the faucet. The can became heavy with water, and soon Lizzy shut the hose off. She lifted it with all of her strength and might, and carried it over to the Asiatic lily section. Lizzy started with the bright orange ones first. She poured out the water, spreading it evenly amongst the soil. But as she turned to bring the watering can over to the yellow lilies, she noticed that the man she saw with the corduroy jacket was still there. In the same spot as he was twenty minutes ago. Lizzy pondered with perplexity as she tried to nonchalantly observe the man’s facial expression. It was quite melancholy, and his eyes seemed to be lost in another world. But still, somehow, he was staring intensely at each lily, as if putting them each through an ordeal of judgment. A tap on Lizzy’s shoulder pulled her out of her wonder. She turned around; the water sloshing around in the can.

“Anna!” Lizzy said, setting down the watering can to give her a hug.

Anna smiled with quiet ‘hello’ to Lizzy, as she returned the hug.

She and Anna pulled away. “What are you doing here?” Lizzy asked.

Anna looked at the ceiling. “Well, um, my dad was getting some lilies, and I saw you over here, watering, so…” Anna said smiling gleefully. “I came here.”

“Awesome!” Lizzy said. “So, is that your dad, there?” Lizzy tried to indicate him with her head pointing in his direction.

“Yes,” Anna said, whispering. “He’s trying to find the perfect lilies to replace out old ones. I wouldn’t interrupt him if I were you.” Anna said, with a half-smile, trying to make the air lighter.

“Okay, I suppose I’ll just skip over them for now, then?” Lizzy asked.

“Yeah, that would probably be a good idea.” Anna said.

They both tiptoed cautiously to the vibrant pink lilies, where they could still see Anna’s dad, but nearly out of earshot.

Anna laughed quietly. “Sorry, my dad’s sort of a cabbage when it comes to picking out lilies. Sometimes it takes him more than an hour.”

Lizzy hoisted up the watering can. “Oh, wow.” She then crinkled her eyebrows. “Why exactly does he need to pick the perfect one? I mean, I understand you’d need a pretty flower, but why spend so much time? Wouldn’t it be clear to see which ones were the best?” Lizzy tried to sound as gentle as possible in her wording, but it didn’t exactly come out the way she wanted it to.

“Well,” Anna said, looking toward the floor. “I suppose these trips are all a bit sentimental to him. Yellow Asiatic lilies were my mother’s favorite, you know. Sometimes he spends more time thinking about her than he does the lilies.”

          “Oh, I’m sorry�"I didn’t know that, um…” Lizzy trailed off. “What exactly happened to you mother?” Lizzy knew this subject was touchy, but she knew Anna enough to bring it up.

          Anna hesitated, opening her mouth halfway. She then finally said something.

          “My mum died when I was thirteen, she was sick…a brain tumor. She died a few months after the doctors discovered it. My dad never really…returned to normal after that. ” Anna looked down, but was trying to keep the mood light by smiling softly.

Lizzy nodded slightly, trying to be as respectful as possible. 

“But,” Anna continued, looking back at her father. “I do know that my parents were helplessly in love. I visited my grandparents in China last summer, and I found a small box filled with pictures of my mother from when she was a child, and when she was with my father. You could just tell that they were “one”…you could see it in their eyes.”

“That’s amazing.” Lizzy said, trying to find the right words.

“Yes,” Anna said almost inaudibly. “I did take one picture of my mother, though. You know, from the box? I always keep it at home, hoping no one will find it. But I brought it today, just because we were going to the flower shop. I wasn’t sure if I might need it in order to…empathize with my father. Sometimes he needs that.” Anna pulled an old, slightly crinkled photo out of her green bag. She turned it to Lizzy.

There, in Lizzy’s view, was a picture of a woman with the sleekest, black hair she had ever seen. It fell like dark satin ribbons around her almost fragile face. It seemed to glisten with the sparkling pond behind her, for she was sitting on a small wooden chair. It seemed as though a thousand smooth yellow lilies surrounded her, almost guarding her from any awfulness in the world. But she wasn’t smiling, yet, she wasn’t frowning either. And unlike most pictures, her eyes weren’t fixated on the camera. She seemed to be thinking about something.   

“Oh,” Lizzy gasped softly. “She’s beautiful…and those lilies! I’ve never seen so many at a time.”

Anna grinned a bit. “Yes…I think you can see now why my father is so…entrapped in those flowers over there. He seems to think my mother is somewhere in them…I think that is why he takes a long time to pick the perfect one. After, he just picks the decent ones…but he always cherishes the beautiful ones.” Anna made another little smile.

“Wow, Anna…” Lizzy was a little apprehensive to say anything, in fear that she would say the wrong thing. So she said the simplest of all things, “I’m sorry about your mother…it must be hard for your family.” Lizzy looked toward the floor.

“Yes, sometimes he can be a little…well, quiet. He always seems disapproving of everything…though; he is a very nice person…if he’s your father.” Anna peeped.

“That’s okay.” Said Lizzy.

“Well, I just don’t understand why he has to be such a downer all of the time. It just seems he never is content.” Anna exclaimed, almost frustrated.

Lizzy pondered. “Well, he lost someone he loved… that’s understandable, I suppose.” Lizzy tried to be neutral in this situation.

“I suppose.” Anna remarked. “I just hope he isn’t in a ‘disapproving’ mood when he meets you.”

“I’ll just stick it out if he is.” Lizzy replied. But before she could even think of how to “stick it out” Anna’s father came slowly toward them.

“Anna,” Mr. Chen, Anna’s father said, holding two pots of yellow lilies.

Lizzy looked up at him, and realized that his face had friendly traces, when it wasn’t so gloomy.

“Yes, father?” Anna said respectfully.

“It is time to go.” He said solemnly.

“Okay.” Anna squeaked. Her father turned his heal, and then Anna said something more. “Father, um, I didn’t, um, I haven’t, uh, introduced you to Lizzy yet, have I?”

Mr. Chen’s face was expressionless for a moment.

          “Hi, um, very nice to meet you, sir…I’m, uh, Lizzy.” She tried to refrain from sounding like an idiot, yet she did anyway. She tried to look at him directly in the eye to show respect, but she couldn’t bear to.

          Mr. Chen nodded somberly, then turning to Anna. “Yes, it must be time to go now.” And then he left to the door.

          Anna followed behind him, but turned and mouthed, “Sorry”. Lizzy gave a thumbs up, because she knew it wasn’t Anna’s fault about her father’s disapproving manner.

          Soon, Anna and her father were out of sight, and Lizzy turned back to the flowers. Then she remembered she hadn’t watered the yellow Asiatic lilies. So she turned up the watering can, and began to pour, and pour, and pour.

 

                                      ~

          It was six o’clock when Sylvia and Lizzy finally left L’Arome. Lizzy was expecting to go home, but Sylvia took her by surprise.

          “I know it’s not any occasion, but I thought it’d be fun to go shopping�"just you and I,” Sylvia said as she passed Foxglove Avenue, in a different direction.

          Lizzy smiled with glee. “I’d love to!” She said. “Thank you so much.”

          “Oh, my pleasure.” Sylvia grinned, her lips almost pursing. “But that’s not the only part…I have another surprise.” Sylvia paused. “My friend Tina manages a little place at Covenson Hills Mall called ‘The Shake’�"it’s a milkshake-soda place in the Food Court�"and they are looking for some employees…you know, just to pick up messes, sweep, wash tables, make a shake or two…things like that. It is an actual job, so you and I will have to write a résumé�"but only if you are interested.” Sylvia looked at Lizzy.

          Lizzy nodded agreeably. “Yeah! That would be awesome! But, I’ve never worked anywhere before…except for the flower shop, but that’s sort of informal…” she trailed off, hoping that wouldn’t decrease her chances of getting a job.

          “Oh, don’t worry about it, dear. Regardless, she’ll choose you. I told her what a hard worker you are L’Arome.” Sylvia smiled at Lizzy. “We just have to do things the old-fashioned way.”

          “Oh, that’s wonderful!” Lizzy exclaimed. “I am so excited! Thank you!” Lizzy was really pumped�"an actual job, at the Covenson Hills Mall, too!

          “Well, do you want to start typing the résumé? I can help you.” Sylvia said.

          “Oh, um, but we don’t have a computer…?” Lizzy tried to sound polite, but she ended up sounded like a clueless dingbat herself.

          “Oh, dear!” Sylvia laughed. “I’m sorry, I forgot to say that I have my laptop with me. I apologize, Lizzy.” Sylvia chuckled slightly.

          Lizzy giggled. “It’s fine. Do you want me to reach in the back seat and get it?”

          “That’d be splendid, Lizzy.” Sylvia said, as she continued paying attention to the road.

          Soon enough, Lizzy got the laptop out, opened it up, and started typing. Sylvia guided her through about 95% of it, but it was still legit. By the time it was finished, they were in the mall’s parking lot.

          “Alright,” Sylvia said as she pulled the keys out of the ignition. “I’ll just send it to Tina through an e-mail, and we’ll be all set!” Sylvia said perkily.

          Within a few moments, Sylvia sent it over and she and Lizzy were out of the car, and headed into one of the largest malls in England.

          “Tina is very laid-back…so you need not worry about any intimidation factors,” Sylvia said as she and Lizzy went through the silver doors leading into a large department store.

          A large, cream-white surface of marble was the mall’s floor, shiny and glossy, very chic for any kind of shopper. Lizzy enjoyed listening to Sylvia’s heels click-clack against it.

          Within a few minutes, they were in the food court. Sylvia led the way to ‘The Shake’, where Lizzy saw a woman about Sylvia’s age blending up something behind the counter. She assumed this was Tina.

          Lizzy observed the large food court as Sylvia and herself came into it. She had never actually been in it, even though she had been to this mall already. There were several miniature restaurants inside it, all of them having different styles of food, and each of them sampling at least one of their wares on a small silver platter. Each one seemed very busy…after all, it was a Saturday, and a busy one at that. Soon enough, Lizzy and Sylvia reached the counter and met Tina.

          “Tina!” Sylvia said, stretching out the last syllable of Tina’s name.

          Lizzy saw up close that Tina was a tiny woman with short-styled hair that was dark brown, like cocoa beans. She had olive green eyes that were hidden behind square-framed glasses that complimented her larger eyes. Lizzy immediately thought of a fawn when she saw Tina, for there were many resemblances: cute, tiny, and big-eyes.

          “Sylvia!” Tina said, coming out from behind the glossy mint green counter to give Sylvia a hug. “So nice to see you! Is this Lizzy?” Tina looked at Lizzy, her shaped eyebrows lifted up.

          “Hi,” Lizzy said. “It’s a pleasure to meet you; I can’t tell you how excited I am about�"“
          “Oh, yes! I bet you are!” Tina exclaimed. “I did not check my e-mail yet, but I will, right now for your résumé,” Tina said, turning her heal. “I’ll be right back.”

          Lizzy concluded then that Tina did not have a personality anything like a fawn’s, which was skittish and shy. Tina was very outgoing, and little abrupt. Very energized.

          Lizzy decided to say something while she was waiting. “I didn’t catch her last name…what was it?” Lizzy looked to Sylvia.

          “Oh, well, it used to be Hudgens, but she got divorced a year ago, so now it’s back to Robbins.” Sylvia paused. “I believe you know her nephew, Tim? He’s one of Braden’s best mates.”

          “Yes, I do. He’s in my art class. He’s…a nice guy.” Lizzy didn’t know what to say about him, for she had only talked to a few times, and that was only by way of Braden. He seemed like your typical guy.

          “Ah! Yes!” Tina glided back outside the counter, jumbling through the line of customers with her open laptop. “Just have to open it, and there’s the little thing!” Tina took off her black-rimmed glasses and began reading.

          After a moment’s time, Tina burst out in excitement from reading Lizzy’s résumé.

 “Very nice, Lizzy!” Tina exclaimed. “I can’t expect too much, because after all, you’re not sixteen yet, are you?” Tina looked bright-eyed at Bridget.

          “I will be, next month. December 2, actually.” Lizzy said.

          Tina looked as if she were pondering. “Well, then the Saturday of your birthday week you shall start. I’ll be in contact between now and then about your schedule and hours.” Tina smiled broadly and closed her laptop. “Welcome to the team!”

          Lizzy tried her best to laugh with Tina’s attempt to make her feel welcome. “Thank you,” Lizzy said graciously.

          “You’re very welcome! And I’ll just use Sylvia’s e-mail address for text?” Tina asked.

          “Yes,” Lizzy said hesitantly as she looked at Sylvia. She didn’t want to sound unprofessional.

          Sylvia nodded.

          “Okay!” Tina said happily. “Nice meeting you Lizzy. I’m looking forward to you working here!”

          “Yes, thank you,” Lizzy said. “I can’t wait.” She added a smile with her remark.

          Tina nodded and said goodbye to Sylvia. And with that, the miniature, informal meeting ended, and Lizzy officially had her first on-the-record job. Now all she had to do was wait four weeks until she started.

 

 

 

Author's Note

This one was a little long, sorry guys. It was kind of one of those necessary chapters that wasn't THAT jam packed with awesomesauce... :C

Reviews

[Short.Nerd]

I'm ready to learn more about the lakehouse xD I can't wait to see where that goes, and hmmm.... new job. (: I agree with Fafa she is fitting in very well. Yay for her!

[compositionc]

THAT WAS AWEOMSSAUCE. sp?

Lizzy's fitting in so well! When will we see more of her school life?