June 1988
Into the wide, wide world.
Like a soldier at attention, the air stood motionless, awaiting the orders of the sky.
I uncurled my legs and climbed from the black car. Out of habit I pushed my hair from my forehead, thankful I had piled the curly, blonde mess on the top of my head that morning with the expectation of much needed thunderstorms.
My hand slid down my pale green sundress as I straightened and lengthend the clingy cotton cloth to my knees. First impressions were important, and I wanted to present a picture of respectability and professionalism.
The glare from the cars parked along main street intensified the afternoon light despite the pollen that clung to their hoods. I shaded my eyes with my hand as I marched to the real estate office at the corner.
A bell tinkled against a glass door. A gray-headed lady with a round face sat behind a high counter. She closed the magazine in front of her. "Yes, dear?"
"I'm Andi Drown from Keowee High," I said. "My government teacher arranged for me to volunteer during the upcoming election."
The lady stood and I noted that the bold colors of her floral print dress accentuated her hips in a less than flattering way.
"Mr. Richland is expecting you. This way."
I followed the woman as she waddled down the hall. She entered a room to the left and flourished her hands toward two rectangular wooden tables. A pile of papers and envelopes covered one. She cleared her throat sounding like a goose.
"He'll be right here." Despite the hum from the window unit, beads of perspiration dotted her hairline.
"Thank you," I said, and watched her leave.
I inspected the room. Although blinds covered the windows, the afternoon light still checkered the opposite wall. Framed black and white pictures reminded me of all the trail hikes I took when I was younger.
"Hello, I'm Keith Richland."
Readers, I've read this book, and all I can say is, from this point on, Andi's day is worse than she ever imagined it could be. Some of her ideals will take a hit too. If you'd like to give the book a try, you can get it at
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LBGSSVU/ref=s9_simh_gw_p351_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=desktop-3&pf_rd_r=10734ZGBXJD9MHD1JW37&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=2090149322&pf_rd_i=desktop
A bell tinkled against a glass door. A gray-headed lady with a round face sat behind a high counter. She closed the magazine in front of her. "Yes, dear?"
"I'm Andi Drown from Keowee High," I said. "My government teacher arranged for me to volunteer during the upcoming election."
The lady stood and I noted that the bold colors of her floral print dress accentuated her hips in a less than flattering way.
"Mr. Richland is expecting you. This way."
I followed the woman as she waddled down the hall. She entered a room to the left and flourished her hands toward two rectangular wooden tables. A pile of papers and envelopes covered one. She cleared her throat sounding like a goose.
"He'll be right here." Despite the hum from the window unit, beads of perspiration dotted her hairline.
"Thank you," I said, and watched her leave.
I inspected the room. Although blinds covered the windows, the afternoon light still checkered the opposite wall. Framed black and white pictures reminded me of all the trail hikes I took when I was younger.
"Hello, I'm Keith Richland."
Readers, I've read this book, and all I can say is, from this point on, Andi's day is worse than she ever imagined it could be. Some of her ideals will take a hit too. If you'd like to give the book a try, you can get it at
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LBGSSVU/ref=s9_simh_gw_p351_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=desktop-3&pf_rd_r=10734ZGBXJD9MHD1JW37&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=2090149322&pf_rd_i=desktop
