Help Wanted

by Barbara Valentin

  "No, not yet." Looking over at her sister, Claire said, "Let's see how tonight goes."

  As the silver BMW SUV pulled up in front of the historic Palmer House hotel, the doorman open Claire's door and helped her out.

  A valet parking attendant approached Kate with his mouth hanging open. Amused, she handed him her car keys and dangled a twenty in front of him.

  "Not a scratch."

  "Yes, ma'am!"

  Claire just looked at Kate and rolled her eyes. "You're terrible."

  "What are you talking about? I tipped him."

  Passing through the iconic hotel's ornate gilded entrance, they stepped up a flight of stairs into the elegant lobby with a fresco ceiling. Taking the elevator to the fourth floor, Claire caught her breath as they stepped out onto the intricately patterned carpeted floor and entered the glorious Grand Ballroom. When her eyes fell on the exquisite detail of the moldings and chandeliers, memories or her own wedding reception began to bombard Claire.

  Pushing back the guilt that threatened to overtake her, she turned to Kate and asked, "So, no date tonight?"

  Kate just smiled and followed her in. "We'll see."

  "But you had me respond that I was bringing two guests."

  Before Kate could reply, Claire stopped and took in her surroundings. "So beautiful."

  They queued up with the rest of the guests waiting in line to exchange their invitations for table assignments. While admiring some of the other women's dresses, Claire felt someone take her hand and pull her out of the line.

  "Look at you! You look beautiful," Di cried as she looked at Claire head to toe. "That gown is divine."

  "Yes, but is it stunning?" She smiled back

  Dianne laughed in reply just as Kate joined them. "Consider it an early Christmas present."

  Claire smiled at her sister. "Thanks, but I don't know where else I could possibly wear it."

  Shrugging, Kate mused, "Then we probably should've left the tags on."

  Refocusing on Di, standing before her in a midnight blue designer tuxedo pantsuit, Claire returned the compliment and introduced her sister.

  "Di, this is Kate Nelson, my sister and date for the evening."

  Dianne held out her hand. "Nice to meet you." Then she did a double take as she looked at the tall, auburn haired woman before her. "Wait a minute. You don't mean Kate Nelson the photographer, do you?"

  Kate smiled and nodded. "One and the same."

  Dianne stepped back and put her hand to her chest. "Well, I'll be damned. I had no idea. I've admired your work for years."

  "That's very kind of you."

  A loud whooping laugh followed by an ear-grating cackle interrupted their niceties. Turning, Claire lowered her voice and asked, "What was that?"

  Dianne looked in the direction the noise came from and rolled her eyes. "Oh no. Carlotta. What's she doing here?"

  Claire caught sight of a plump, garish middle-aged woman farther down the line. Wearing her jet-black hair in little pin curls all over her head, she had on bright-red lipstick with matching nails they could see from where they were standing. She was wrapped tightly in a black sequined gown that looked as if it weighed more than she did.

  They watched as she hiked up her girdle while speaking and laughing with other women in line.

  Dianne muttered to herself. "Way to ruin an evening."

  "Who is she?" Claire asked.

  "Lester's ex. And the writer whose column Mattie took over."

  Leaning closer to Claire, she whispered, "And she was not at all pleased that I chose you over her to replace Mattie when she moved on."

  "Ah. So, why is she here?"

  "Ya got me. I didn't see her name on the list. Maybe one of her cronies from the old days brought her as a guest. But do all you can to steer clear of her. Once she has a couple of Harvey Wallbangers, there'll be trouble. Trust me. I'll be right back."

  Dianne dove past the members of the Infant Welfare Society who were taking invitations and started searching the place cards on the tables reserved by the paper.

  Kate laughed and said, "This is gonna be fun!"

  "Tons," Claire agreed. She just hoped she had brought enough Tums to make it through the evening.

  Dianne returned to them and began surveying the newcomers at the end of the line.

  "Who are you on the lookout for now?" Claire asked.

  Smiling, she responded, "Oh, any single gorgeous men, of course."

  Catching the dazzling wedding set on Dianne's left ring finger, Claire started to ask, "But aren't you—"

  Dianne waved her off. "Yes, terminally. But he's in New York this weekend, and I'm here, so…"

  All three women laughed, almost missing the commotion that was beginning to erupt at the back of the line, which had started to wind down the stairway into the sprawling lobby on the level below.

  They instead watched as a distinguished-looking middle-aged man made his way to the front of the line with a younger woman on his arm. As they passed Carlotta, the smile on her face disappeared, and the circle she was in grew silent.

  "And that," Di whispered, "is Lester Crenshaw and his new wife, Nina."

  Claire looked at Lester. He carried himself as she would expect someone in a position of authority, but he appeared to have a pleasant, respectful demeanor.

  "Huh, he's not at all what I pictured," Claire uttered. "His wife looks a little young for him, doesn't she?"

  Dianne let out a chortle. "That seems to be the consensus. Can you believe she just had a baby about three months ago?" Di asked.

  Claire admired the woman's flawless figure and sighed. "Well, she's young. And she's probably breastfeeding. I know that helped me lose the baby weight."

  Di chuckled. "Wouldn't surprise me. It doesn't cost anything, does it? Everything's about return on investment with those two. Maybe that's why they hooked up."

  "You mean those aren't binoculars?" Kate asked, referring to the small black carrying case slung over Nina's shoulder, no doubt with a breast pump in it.

  "Aren't you the comedienne tonight?" Claire asked.

  "Sorry. Nervous habit."

  Surprised by her reply, she asked, "Nervous? What in the world do you have to be nervous about?"

  Kate nodded toward the back of the line.

  All heads had turned. A man was emerging from the crowd with his overcoat draped over his arm. When he spotted Kate, he handed his coat to a waiter rushing past him and walked directly to her, ignoring everyone else.

  "Hi, doll." He put his arm around her waist and kissed her on the cheek. He then nodded to Claire and said, "Nice to see you again."

  "Same here." Claire smiled while raising an eyebrow at her sister.

  "Jake Garnet, this is my editor, Dianne Devane. Dianne, Jake Garnet."

  He held out his hand. "Dianne. A pleasure."

  "Well, hello. Please, call me Di."

  Addressing Kate, she asked, "So, you two are an item?"

  Jake, now standing behind Kate with his arms around her waist, said, "Oh, I've begged her, believe me. But she's got a problem with commitment." Kate just shrugged and smiled at Di.

  Next in line, Claire and her group moved up, and the members of the charity benefiting from the evening's proceeds greeted them. "Good evening, Ms. Devane. Invitations, please."

  After checking in, to afford them some privacy, Di steered them to a large table in the corner of the ballroom that she had selected. She motioned for a waiter to come by. When he did, he took their drink orders and sent another waiter over with a tray of assorted hot hors d'oeuvres.

  While they watched the crowd filter in, Claire asked, "Shouldn't you be sitting with Lester and Nina?"

  "Hell no. I wanted to have fun tonight. Lester's got an agenda."

  "What do you mean?"

  Di fidgeted in her seat before responding. "Well, he wants to make an offer to a guy who's been filling in for his wife while she's been on leave. Rumor has it Nina's not coming back. Besides that, he's go
t guests coming in from New York who are interested in syndicating somebody's column…" She flashed a grin at Claire.

  "Oh God." She looked toward Kate for moral support, but she and Jake had gotten up to check the view from one of the floor-to-ceiling windows. They weren't speaking, but they were holding hands.

  You go, Kate.

  She turned toward Di. "So what do I do? What do I say? This is all new to me."

  Covering Claire's hand with her own, she replied, "No worries. I can tell you who they are and what they want. What you reply is up to you, ok?"

  "Got it."

  By the time her editor had laid out all of the details for Claire, Kate and Jake had joined them at the table.

  "I hope you don't mind," Kate started, "but I filled him in on your, uh, situation. That's all right, isn't it?"

  Claire smiled nervously. "Sure. Why not? I have a feeling all bets are off after tonight."

  She took a sip of her wine, hoping to gain some courage so she could enjoy the evening, but grimaced at the taste of it and set it aside.

  Surprised at the amount of people filling the hall, she said to no one in particular, "I had no idea this place held so many people. I just wish they'd dim the lights."

  Almost on cue, the room grew darker, and the orchestra started playing soft music while the guests mingled.

  Claire looked out over the ornate room. While massive, its elegance was somehow magnified by the soft lighting.

  "Di, can I ask you something?"

  "Sure, sweetie."

  She wanted to ask the bold, successful woman sitting next to her what she would do if she were in Claire's shoes. Problem was, Dianne would never allow herself to be in Claire's shoes.

  "Never mind."

  "No, what?"

  Claire took a deep breath. "This is all just happening so fast. I mean, four months ago, I was stuck in a terrible job, really miserable, and now I'm here. I don't get it."

  "You have Mattie to thank for that. It was her idea to ask you to provide responses to those sample emails. Her plan was to get you to see that you could use your talent in a job that would make you happier than the one you were in."

  Craning her neck, Dianne added, "That reminds me, they should be here by now."

  "Who?"

  "Mattie and Nick."

  Claire asked a question already knowing the answer. "Nick DeRosa?"

  She reached into her purse and popped an antacid into her mouth.

  "What's the matter with you?" Kate asked.

  With a pained look on her face, Claire explained, "Nick DeRosa is Luke's cross-country coach. He knows me, and he's friends with Paul."

  Dianne shot Kate a concerned look, and Claire felt as if her air supply had just been cut off.

  Kate shrugged. "What's the big deal? There are hundreds of people here tonight. You probably won't even see him."

  Then Dianne pointed to the place card next to her, pulled a face, and said, "Oh. Never mind."

  Claire placed both hands on the table before her and said, "You know what? I'm done being worried. If Paul finds out, he finds out. That's all there is to it." She then waved her hands in the air and said, "Let's just enjoy the evening."

  They raised their glasses and cheered each other.

  "Hi. Sorry we're late. We couldn't get a cab."

  It was Mattie, absolutely sparkling in an emerald-green satin form-fitting gown with spaghetti straps and a matching wrap.

  Nick, with his dark hair and olive complexion, looked uncomfortable but very handsome in his traditional black tuxedo. He hadn't said a word since joining them but was staring at Claire. He looked puzzled.

  She lifted her chin. "Hi, Nick."

  "I almost didn't recognize you."

  "Right back at you," she said, looking down at his shoes, which were black cross-trainers. "But those are a dead giveaway."

  "I know, right?" Mattie exclaimed as he held her chair for her and pushed her in. "But who am I kidding? We'll probably both wear running shoes at the wedding."

  She clutched his arm when he slid into the seat between her and Kate, and smiled.

  While Claire reached over to admire the engagement ring Nick had surprised Mattie with shortly after she crossed the finish line of the marathon, he asked, "So, no Paul tonight?"

  Leaning forward, Claire whispered, "He had other plans."

  Nick nodded his reply, and in the awkward silence that followed, Claire found she missed her husband more than she could've imagined.

  If I had been up front with him, he'd be here right now.

  The orchestra continued to play background music while the guests ate.

  During the second and third courses, with Kate on one side and Mattie on the other, Claire listened as Nick was briefed on the delicacy of the situation, and Kate made him swear that he wouldn't tell Paul.

  Looking confused, he started to ask Kate, "Yeah, but what about to—"He grimaced and bent down to rub his leg.

  After which, Kate smiled and thanked him for his cooperation.

  As the plates were being cleared, Lester was handed a microphone. Introducing himself, a number of Griffin Media executives, and the members of the Infant Welfare Society Board, he welcomed everyone to the event. After watching a short video on how the proceeds would benefit the charity, he got up again and encouraged everyone to participate in the silent auction.

  After a round of applause from the crowd, Lester turned to the musicians. "Johnny, why don't you start us out with a couple of slow dances tonight, huh?"

  The band director raised his baton, and the band began playing something schmaltzy.

  Watching the couples slowly make their way onto the dance floor, Di nudged Claire and said, "Here they come."

  She looked toward where Dianne had nodded and saw Lester coming through the crowd with two other gentlemen.

  Pointing to the red-haired man, she quickly explained, "That's Steve Fraske. He runs the Lassiter Group. They own major papers on the West Coast. The other guy is Tom Hileman. Known him for years. He's a partner in Newton-Frascow. They own just about everything Steve and Lester don't. Now just take a deep breath and be yourself."

  "Oh God," Claire whispered as she felt her heart banging against her chest

  "Good evening, ladies," Lester said as he approached them.

  Dianne stood up and shook his hand. "Lovely evening, Les. Tom, it's good to see you again."

  Tom leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. "Looking lovely as ever."

  Lester looked down at Claire. She stood up and said, "Hello."

  When she didn't say her name, Dianne began speaking. "Les, may I introduce you to Claire—"

  "Nelson," Claire interrupted. "Claire Nelson."

  Everyone seated at the table did their best not to look surprised.

  Drinks on me if I survive this.

  Dianne continued, "Claire took over as author of the Plate Spinner column when our Mattie Ross here moved over to Metro to résumé her career in investigative journalism."

  After shaking Nick's hand and giving Mattie a peck on the cheek, Lester took Claire's outstretched hand in both of his. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you. What it looks like you'll be doing to our bottom line, well, words can't describe, but numbers certainly can."

  When he laughed, the two men with him joined in.

  He continued, "Claire, this is Steve Fraske of the Lassiter Group and Tom Hileman from Newton-Frascow. Perhaps you've heard of them?"

  "Of course. It's a pleasure." She shook both of their hands.

  Steve spoke first. "Claire, I have to tell you, your column is unlike any other we've come across. Well, hell, even my wife can't get enough of it, and she usually packs in eighty-hour work weeks." He laughed.

  "And to think I've only just gotten started," she said, laughing right along with him.

  Tom joined in. "That may be true, but from what I read, you bring a whole new angle to the plight of the working parent, Claire. I don't know how you do it, but you someho
w blend the realities of day-to-day life with an optimism that I think is missing in today's media coverage."

  "Well, thank you, both. That's high praise indeed."

  Claire, feeling her neck and cheeks turn as red as her dress, was grateful for the dim lighting in the room.

  When the orchestra started another old standard, Lester, quite unexpectedly, asked Claire if she'd like to dance.

  Caught off guard, she accepted and let him lead her out onto the dance floor.

  * * *

  After Mattie and Nick followed, Dianne sat with Kate and Jake, watching Lester and Claire. From her vantage point, it looked as if Lester was doing all of the talking (typical) while Claire nodded and smiled (whew).

  After making quite the push to bring her on full time, Lester finally acquiesced to Di's demands by ponying up a decent salary for the new columnist, along with benefits, a flexible work schedule, and the ability to work from home as needed. Lester just had one condition. Ever the showman, he wanted to make her the offer himself.

  My work here is done.

  Dianne sat back and took another swig of wine.

  As the crowd parted and swayed to the music, she spotted Nina, one of the few women wearing white to the post–Labor Day event, walking back in from the lobby with the breast pump bag, presumably returning from the ladies room. Di watched as she returned to a table clear on the other side of the room that backed up to the exhibit hall where the silent auction items were on display.

  Dianne could see Nina checking her table, presumably looking for Lester. Seeing that he wasn't there, Nina peered around the room for him. When she spotted him with Claire, Di saw Nina lean down to talk to a man sitting next to her, take him by the hand, and lead him out onto the dance floor.

  Sitting up in her seat, Di let slip an uncharacteristic expletive.

  "What's wrong?" Kate asked, looking in the same direction.

  The editor pointed and sputtered, "An important conversation is about to get interrupted."

  Kate squinted into the crowd, trying to determine the source of Dianne's concern, and saw someone looking very much like her brother-in-law dancing with Nina.

  With a smile playing at the corners of her mouth, she asked, "Is there a problem?"

  Dianne leveled a look at Kate. "You know he's working for Griffin Media?"