Two hours passed.
Brett was ready for bed. Dorian stayed up and watched TV in the den.
Brett entered the den, walked up to Dorian, who was sitting on the couch, and gave her a quick kiss on the lips. “Goodnight,” he said.
She gave him a wave. Her eyes are glued to the “Desperate Housewives” DVD.
He left the den, walked to the bedroom, and got under the covers, staring at the ceiling. “Please return,” he whispered, then closed his eyes.
Brett’s wish was granted.
With a spring in his step, Matthew walked down Washington Street among numerous others.
His eyes widened with a huge smile. “Hello,” a woman’s voice called out. Matthew noticed that beautiful woman from Zaharakos. His eyes sparkled as he walked up to her. “Hello. How are you on this beautiful day?”
“Just wonderful,” the beautiful woman replied, smiling.
“Have you been eating any more ice cream?” she asked.
Matthew touched his face and smiled. “Not lately. Are you out shopping?”
“No. I’m just out for a stroll and some fresh air,” she said.
“Mind if I join you?” he asked.
She gave Matthew a playful smile. “I would love the company!”
They strolled down the sidewalk.
“May I have your name?” he asked.
“Meredith Whitestone. May I have your name?”
“I’m Matthew Sims,” he replied. His eyes widened. “Are you related to Anne Whitestone? She gave me a ride into town earlier,” he asked.
“She’s my step-sister,” Meredith replied, glancing down at the sidewalk.
“What’s the matter?” he asked.
“She’s always mean to me. My mother married Aaron fifteen years ago, and he doesn’t like me very much. He favors Anne since she’s his biological daughter,” Meredith replied.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” he replied.
“That’s not your problem. Since she gave you a ride, I take it you’re not from around here?”
“No, I’m a pilot from Fort Wayne,” he said.
Meredith’s eyes lit up. “A pilot! How fascinating.”
“I was returning to Fort Wayne when my airplane engine quit. I stay here until my mechanic drives down to fix my plane.”
“How do you like our lovely town?” she asked.
“There are many beautiful sights,” he said, gazing into Meredith’s eyes. “And beautiful people to experience,” he added warmly.
Meredith blushed with a smile, looked down the street, and then widened her eyes. “I know where we can go,” she said. She grabbed Matthew’s hand and turned him around.
She rushed him back down Washington Street.
Ten minutes passed.
They turned and walked down 5th Street towards the Irwin Home and Gardens.
The Irwin Home and Gardens were created in 1910 to complement the Irwin mansion built in 1894. The grounds were designed after a garden in Pompeii, Italy.
Couples strolled around Irwin Gardens, which has beautiful flowers, shrubs, and herbal gardens.
Matthew and Meredith walked around, soaking in all the beauty.
“I love walking around here taking in all the beautiful flowers,” Meredith said.
“Do you come here often?”
“Yes, I live outside of town and try to visit these gardens once a week. It’s a good way to escape my stepfather. I loath living in his house.”
They strolled through the garden.
Matthew spotted a photographer, with a camera on a tripod near the back of the Irwin house.
Matthew walked Meredith over to him.
“Sir, would you mind taking our photograph?” Matthew asked him.
“It would be my pleasure,” the photographer replied.
Matthew and Meredith positioned themselves with the Pompeii-style gardens behind them.
The photographer snapped their photograph.
“You may pick your photograph up later this afternoon at this location,” the photographer said. “We’ll be back, and we would like two copies, please,” Matthew replied, handing him two dollars.
“Two copies will not be a problem, sir,” the photographer responded.
Matthew gazed into Meredith’s eyes and embraced her in a passionate kiss.
Matthew felt an invisible smack across his face. He looked at Meredith; her hands were around him. Another invisible smack across his face.
Back in Brett’s reality.
Dorian was up on her knees in bed, towering over him. Her eyes bulged, her nostrils flared, glaring at Brett on his back with his arms around an invisible person French kissing the air. She smacked his face. “What the hell are you doing?” she yelled.
Brett woke up and cringed, seeing Dorian towering over him, arms crossed and fire in her eyes. He lowered his arms; his tongue slipped back into his mouth. His puckered lips promptly turned into a smile. “Ah, I was dreaming of you, honey,” Brett said, smiling.
“Yeah, right! Get up and take that stupid dog outside. She’s been whining from her kennel.”
Dorian got back under the bed covers.
Brett got out of bed and looked at the digital clock. It was “6:50 a.m.”
Brett left the bedroom and went into the other bedroom, letting Abby out of her kennel. She licked Brett’s face.
He took her outside.
Ten minutes passed.
Brett took Abby back into the house. He got ready for work. Abby stayed by his side.
It was Wednesday morning at Brett’s office, and he was at his desk, staring out his window. He watched a Cessna 210 in the sky.
“Hey, buddy, what’s going on?” Bruce said, entering the office.
Brett stared out the window.
“Brett. You asleep?” Bruce said, snapping his fingers.
Brett turned around and noticed Bruce sitting in the chair by his desk. “I’m sorry. I was thinking about last night,” he said.
“Another dream?”
Brett nodded. “I’m in love with the girl of my dreams! Man, I wish she was for real!” he said.
“Me too, buddy. Me too,” Bruce said. “So, I heard Sidney was pissed at your monthly report.”
“Have you ever known Sidney Harris not to be pissed? He was pissed the minute the doctor smacked his butt at birth and stayed pissed his whole life.”
Bruce chuckled. “Yeah, I know what you mean.”
“Oh yeah, Dorian demanded that I never see you again,” Brett told Bruce.
Bruce rolled his eyes. “Man, she’s a controlling bitch, if you don’t mind me saying so,” Bruce said.
“I don’t mind because it’s true.”
The door to Brett’s office slammed open. Brett quickly dropped his feet off his desk and to the floor.
They both turned around, noticing Sidney at the doorway.
“Mister Cooper, do you have any work to do, or am I obligated to pay you for screwing off all day?” Sidney said, glaring at Bruce.
Bruce jumped up. “No, Mister Harris. I have work to do,” he said. Bruce rushed out of the office.
Sidney walked up to Brett’s desk.
“We’re having lunch with Dorian. We’re leaving in five minutes,” he said, turning around and leaving his office.
“This should be a barrel of laughs,” Brett said.
Brett got up from his desk and left his office.
Sidney drove Brett to the Don Halls Old Gas House restaurant in his pristine green 1985 Chevrolet Impala.
They entered the Don Halls Old Gas House restaurant, which was packed.
Dorian waited at the front door. She kissed Sidney on his cheek and Brett on his cheek.
Sidney announced their presence to the hostess. They were escorted to the only empty table. Sidney pulled out Dorian’s chair, and she sat down. Sidney and Brett sat down. It was quiet until their waiter walked up and dropped off menus. They ordered drinks consisting of iced tea and water.
The waiter walked away.
They glanced over their menus.
“I can’t stress enough how extremely disappointed I am with your performance on that report,” Sidney said.
Brett did not respond.
Dorian noticed. She kicked Brett’s leg under the table.
Brett cringed in pain. He looked at Sidney. “I’m sorry, sir,” Brett replied.
“You’re performance better improve!” Sidney demanded.
“Of course, he will, father,” Dorian added.
She glared at Brett, who avoided eye contact. “Good, that’s why I will give you one more chance. Our new company, down in Columbus,
Alliance Gears and Pulleys are in deep yogurt with their monthly reports. You will correct the situation with a new report,” Sidney said.
“Alliance Gears and Pulleys?” Brett replied. “Sorry, sir, I’m not familiar with that company.”
Sidney looked perturbed. “It’s the old Reeves Pulley Company. Did you forget that I bought that building two years ago, and we started a new production line of gears and pulleys?”
Brett stared for a second. “Oh yeah. Now I remember.”
“Good. Now, I want you down there first thing tomorrow morning. I’ll even be nice, and you can have the rest of Thursday off. But I want you to report to Howard Bitner first thing Friday morning. You can get all your financial data from Howard and work Friday and Saturday. You can drive home on Sunday and want the completed report on my desk first thing Monday morning. If you do a great job, I’ll promote you to the President of Alliance and double your salary,” Sidney explained.
“Wow, I’ll be the big gear!” Brett said under his breath.
Dorian’s eyes lit up! “Of course, Brett will do a great job. Thank you, Father! Thank you!”
“Because if you screw this up, I’ll demote you down to the mailroom with a seventy percent cut in pay, or I might terminate you. Understand?” he threatened.
“Yes, sir,” Brett replied. His eyes suddenly lit up. “Did you say Columbus?” Brett said.
Sidney leaned over, glaring at Brett. “Weren’t you paying attention? Of course, I said Columbus,” Sidney scolded.
Brett smiled.
The waitress walked over to their table with their drinks and ordered their meals. Sidney ordered a sixteen-ounce prime rib with a baked potato. Dorian ordered a Greek salad, and Brett ordered a Cod Fish sandwich.
The waitress walked away.
“And Brett, I want Abby to be boarded up while you’re in Columbus,” she demanded.
Brett bit his tongue.
Ten minutes later, they ate their lunch.
Later that night, Brett went to bed early in the bedroom. Dorian stayed in the den and surfed the Internet for housing developments in Columbus.
He fell fast asleep the second his head hit his pillow and smiled.