Chaos in a Fairy tale

Untitled Episode 3

Lilac

He slides the document back to me. I take a moment to look over it to make sure all the necessary information has been filled in. “Alright Mr. Blake, it looks like I’ve got all the information I need. Here’s one of my business cards. This has both the shop number and my cell in case I'm not here.” I explain as I offer the mentioned card. The nod seemed automatic as he stared at me. I briefly wondered if I’ve had paint on my face this entire time. He looked at the card in his hand, nodded again and turned to leave. Saying as he reached the door, “I should have everything arranged in a day or two,” I nodded before saying, “I’ll be ready. I’m an early riser and I normally go to bed pretty late, so feel free to contact me with any updates.”

I watched as he approached a black SUV that I never saw pull up and immediately reached in through the passenger window for a thick folder. He doesn’t turn around right away, it looks like he’s talking to the driver. I realized I was staring and started putting away the order documents. I take the notes I took for the order and the order in take form to the back to pin up. I tried a filing system, but I quickly realized that unless I keep them in the order of pickup date. I end up stressing myself when I realize that I started working on the next piece that I had on the stack instead of what needs to be ready first. So now I hang them up with deadlines visible and an estimation of how much time each task will take so I can decide how to tackle each one as they become a priority.

At the sound of the bell, I went back up front. “All the pictures are here. They’ve been labeled on the back by date, and family name. The order of the photos is less important, as most families may decide to rearrange their albums so that their family photos are in the front,” said Blake as he extended the massive envelope toward me. I took it with a slight nod, noting the weight of the envelope. “I can arrange them by year if you’d like. Also, I’m guessing that you’d like the album with the original copies for yourself?” He nods in confirmation to my question and turns to exit the building once more. I watch as he climbs into the back of the SUV and it drives away. I go back to my work desk and lay the photos out. It’s nothing fancy, medium-sized but deep enough that I should be able to spread out about a third of the photos to start sorting them. Before removing the pictures, I take a moment to look over all the commissions I have. I looked over all the documents to ensure that none were due within the next 5 days.

Once confirmed, I pulled a handful of the photos out and spread them face down on the desk. I started making stacks for each year represented. After about 45 minutes, I’d made it through about half of the photos and stood to stretch the kink building in my lower back. I went to the front to close the store so I could grab some breakfast. I decided to walk to the bakery a couple blocks away. I love the chocolate scones and they always get my coffee order right. On the walk, I start a mental checklist. Are the back-up batteries charged? Check. Memory Cards? Check. Lenses cleaned and packed up? Check and check. I tell myself that I’ll double-check the bags and equipment when I get back.

I realized that the bakery was just around the next corner, so I quickened my pace a bit. I reach the door and see that there are about five people seated inside and no one is standing at or near the counter. I know that I’ll be able to get in and out really quickly. As I approach the counter, I’m considering getting two of the breakfast croissant sandwiches and a few muffins to snack on for the rest of the day. Angela, the owner of the bakery, pushes the short curtain that hangs in the doorway to separate the kitchen and the front, to the side, poking her head around it. “Lilac, good morning. What can I get for you today?” I feel the smile stretch across my face. Angela has been in this shop for 17 years, and I’ve been coming here since I was in middle school. Back then she was a cashier helping her parents with the shop when they were home from college. As soon as she graduated and moved back, she took over the bakery and allowed her parents to retire early. Last I heard they were still traveling around Italy.

“Good morning, can I get two bacon, egg and cheese croissants, and please tell me you have four cran-orange muffins stored somewhere in the back?” She nods her head slightly, “You know, I always put a few muffins to the side for you. Do you want extra cheese on your sandwiches and do you want your normal coffee?” “You know me so well. Yes, to both of those questions, thank you.” She nods before saying,“ I’ll have your food out in a jiffy.” I hand her a twenty and told her to keep the change. I already know she’s going to try to slip an extra snack or a second coffee into my bag. While she goes to prepare my order, I let my mind wander back to the equipment and supplies that I’ll need to prepare for the upcoming shoot.

Star

I got home over an hour ago, I took a shower, and I was drying my hair when I heard the notification come through. I choose to ignore it, I’m not taking any other jobs until I eat and get a few hours of sleep. I walk to the kitchen, open the refrigerator and pull out eggs, mushrooms, and a green bell pepper. I have to dig around in the fridge to find the bacon buried in the back on the bottom shelf. I then grab a can of biscuits and shredded cheddar cheese. I washed my vegetables and pulled out a cutting board and a knife, and got to work cutting up my vegetables. Once I had everything diced and set aside, I got a pan and started the bacon. While I waited for the bacon, I went to turn on the TV. As I flipped through the channels looking, I listened to the bacon sizzle. I came across the documentary channel and decided that it would do. After flipping the bacon, I started working on the eggs. I scrambled the eggs and added in all the vegetables. After taking out the bacon, I pour in the egg mixture. I cook my omelet just the way I like it. Slide the folded omelet onto a plate beside the bacon.

I settled in my favorite recliner. I watched a few episodes about spouses abusing or plotting to kill one another before I finally picked up the remote to find something else. Since I finished the job for Alpha Blake, I don’t need to take another job for a few weeks. That’s only if I want to keep the second half of the payment in my savings. I prefer to stay comfortable rather than live extravagantly. Don’t get me wrong, I could have bought a home years ago, but I love my Victorian town house. I was a little skeptical about buying a 3-story town house, but after seeing the interior I was in love. It has 5 bedrooms, 3 ½ bathrooms, each floor has a room. The rooms on the first floor are small. They were probably used for guests. There is a full and half bath on the first floor. The second floor has two larger rooms on each side of the hallway, and they share a bathroom that sits at the end of the hall. The entire 3rd floor is dedicated to the master. An enormous bedroom, with its own bathroom, and a huge walk-in closet.