HeartWorks

by Charmaine Gordon

  “Too big. Be sensible and turn to the next page.”

  She did as suggested. “Here’s one. Cute, huh? What’s the breed? It says Border Collie and there’s a number. Ken, please call. I’m too nervous.”

  “Sure.” His voice deepened as he played the part of the hero. A voice said, “Animal Rescue.”

  “Hi. We’re interested in a rescue dog on the small size, good with people and kids.”

  “Man, have we got a dog for you. Come in Sunday early before the rush. You’ll get the best choice and we’ll have time to discuss pros and cons.”

  “How much are they?”

  “Very reasonable. Not to worry. We’re on Houston Street 145 is the number. We open at nine o’clock. Follow the barking. See you then.”

  He hung up to find Liz lying on the carpet, an expression of joy on her face. The best he could do is lie down next to her to hold her in his arms. After a while Liz lifted her head, red curls dragged over Ken’s face. “Time to go home. Tomorrow is a working day for both of us.” She kissed him and rose to stretch.

  “Don’t go.”

  “See you tomorrow, sweet man.” Key in hand, she hurried out the door. Coulda woulda, shoulda but no, too soon, she thought and ran up the stairs to her hovel next door. Maybe next time. Yes, next time.

  Chapter 5

  Thoughts of dogs raced around in Liz’s head. One more day but tonight the calendar showed dinner with Roger. Two days ago, she had jumped with excitement over him and now Ken had stolen her heart. Maybe forever. Tomorrow they’d go to Houston Street. She loved best of all the King James Spaniel. Small, sweet, elegant. Okay, her mind made up, Liz turned to baking chocolate chip cookies. Customers loved cookies and homemade ones were so special. Before long she had them in the small oven, ate cereal with milk and showered. Just in time, she heard the ping of cookies ready. Out they came wafting in heavenly aroma. She let them cool, placed them on a platter and dressed. Down the steps she trod in hopes of a no snow day.

  Coffee made just in time as the first few customers arrived. “Good Morning, on this sunny winter day. I baked cookies and the coffee’s ready.”

  “Thanks, Liz. I came to buy cards and have a snack. And I must get a couple of your special cards to send to some friends. They are a riot.” The lawyer, she forgot his name, moved on through the small shop. I must remember names. That’s the key in business. She made a note in her book. The day went by, cookie plate emptied and several coffee pots filled and refilled. A steady stream of shoppers stopped in. Laughter filled the shop when her special cards were seen. She had to think of more rhymes. ‘Rescue me, I’m so sweet, when I poop, I use the street’ Be my Furever Valentine’ YES!

  Tying on the big apron, she dipped one pen in brown ink and began. Customers gathered around to watch Liz in action, giggling as they saw the words appear. She topped it off with a version of the King James spaniel and set it to dry.

  “That’s mine, Liz.”

  “Make another one for me,” called a little boy.

  “Okay, everyone, I’ll make another batch. They have to dry, meanwhile shop for regular cards. No one goes home with a sad face.”

  “Miss, you’re the best.” Ken’s arms were around her waist for just a moment. “You have a way with people. If you didn’t have this shop, I’d hire you right now for my place.” He examined the latest Valentine. “This is charming and you love the spaniel. I hope there’s one available tomorrow. If not, we’ll buy one. This is a special breed.”

  “I feel in my heart someone is giving away our dog Sunday and we’ll adopt her or him right then.”

  “Okay. I believe in you. So you’ll see Roger for dinner tonight and I’ll be all alone.”

  “Ken, don’t be a baby. I think it’s business. He liked my goofy cards and he writes scripts for television shows so maybe he wants to use bits and pieces for a laugh.”

  “Really?”

  “Yup. Now I must work and so do you. I’ll call you when I get home, okay?

  “Okay. May I kiss you right now in front of your customers?”

  That expression of joy flashed across her face again. “Why not?”

  He thought it over being a private man. “No, I’ll wait ‘til later.”

  “You’re teasing me, Ken.”

  Jane Brown from the neighborhood, pushed a stroller to the desk. She held a fistful of cards including Liz’s. “How much and is he your boyfriend?”

  Liz’s cheeks blossomed and turned pink. “I’m not quite sure. I do like him.” She rang up the register and watched the numbers climb. “Thanks for shopping here. Come again.” A baby whined to get out. She threw her rattle and kicked little feet. Jane made sweet clucking noises, paid and hurried out. Motherhood. Not for me.

  Again Liz hurried to the big desk and wrote, ‘Do I love you, Yes, I do, Do you love me? You better or I know some guys who can rearrange your attitude’ Happy Valentine’s Day, lover boy.’ This called for gray ink, a touch of black and lightened with red streaks. She finished and set it to dry then drew eleven more to make a set.

  The lawyer, what’s his name, moved in to take a good look. He howled with laughter and spoke in a rich low voice. “Liz, are you busy tonight? I’d so enjoy taking you out for dinner.”

  “Thanks so much. I do have an appointment when the shop closes. I guess you get a kick out of my cards.”

  “And the woman who is drawing them. Another time then.” He paid for a bunch of cards, squeezed her hand and left his business card in her palm.

  At seven, she locked up, emptied the register to hurry upstairs. Money went into the safe and Liz went into the shower. She followed the going out routine with blow drying her curls smooth and a touch of make-up. Then the task of what to wear. Hmm. Black is always good in New York and a black velvet dress hit the spot with a silk scarf around her neck. Not bad for an aging broad. Totally high heel shoes and black silk tights under. Wow! She liked what she saw in the mirror. She grabbed a small black velvet bag, filled it with necessary goodies and carefully walked down the perilous stairs.

  Roger rang the shop bell. Her heart did not go pitty pat. She opened the door and welcomed him.

  “You are gorgeous, Liz. What a change since we first met. You had just opened the shop and were so busy. Hey, let’s see what’s new.” He rushed over to her special cards and carefully perused each one, the smile on his face grew wider with each card. Selecting a few, he brought them to the locked register to pay. She shook her red hair.

  “Shop’s closed. All the money is put away.”

  Roger handed her a hundred dollar bill. “This is business, Liz. Wait until my partners see these. We’re meeting them for dinner.”

  “Okay. For business, I accept the big bucks and I’m eager to find out what this is all about.” She pulled a white coat from the closet downstairs, slid into it, found leather gloves in the pocket, locked the shop again and outside on the curb motor running, she saw a Jaguar. Nifty.

  Off they drove to one of the fanciest restaurants in town, Jean-George, known for the French cuisine Liz never tasted before. An air of excitement filled Roger’s car as he spoke of the company he’d started and how successful he and his partners had become in a short time. Before long, they were on Central Park West way across another part of town. He parked his treasured car and guided Liz into another world.

  What looked like two trophy wives sat at the table all done up with gorgeous hair-do’s and lots of cleavage on display. Their men, Roger’s partners, beamed as they approached.

  “Liz Gleason, guys. She’s the woman I’ve been telling you about. We brought samples of her work.” So far Liz hadn’t said a word. She just smiled and wondered what it was all about. They ordered drinks, it looked like the couples had started already, Liz had Pelegrino and hoped Roger didn’t drink too much or she would have to drive.

  George Martin, the head of the group took over. “The show we’re working on needs a boost for the leading woman. Her lines aren’t funny enough so
when Roger brought your cards to us, we had the idea of placing her setting in a card shop and doing what you do. We can observe you in real time, you get paid, of course and see how it works. How does that sound to you? Check out the menu, let’s order and we’ll talk some more. This could turn into a series which would be a very big deal, by the way.”

  Liz lowered her head to read the menu, her hair got in the way. Shrimp cocktail and salmon sounded just right. She wished she were home with Ken, not with these show business people and their fancy ideas. She couldn’t picture them in her shop messing with her stuff.

  Roger nudged her to get attention. “So what do you think, honey? Isn’t the idea exciting?”

  “It certainly has possibilities, Roger. Let’s see what happens next. What happens next is Ken and I are going to rescue a pup tomorrow and I can’t wait so let’s eat and take me home.

  While waiting for dinner, Roger passed a folder with the latest Liz cards inside. The partners chuckled, nodded and gave her a thumbs up.

  “Liz, you’re wonderful.” The wives rose, swung their hips to head to the ladies room without a word.

  “I guess they hate my humor.”

  “No.” George scoffed at her words. “They love their hair and clothes. Don’t be offended. You are a real person.”

  Dinner showed up just in time. Hungry after eating a couple of cookies, Liz needed food, good food. She waited ‘til everyone had their plates in front, noticed the wives ate nothing but skimpy salads, and dug in after saying, Bon Appetit. The large shrimp covered with sauce tasted just right. Then came the broiled salmon with lemon, rice seasoned with lemon and sliced tomato. All thoughts of show business disappeared until Roger brought it up again.

  “So what do you think, Liz? Are you in for a run through? We’d like to bring the lead and some other actors to the shop tomorrow to try the script and add your bits.”

  After touching a napkin to her mouth, she glanced around the table. The partners were intense, waiting for an answer. “I have an appointment early in the morning, nine a.m. on Houston. It might take a while. How about if I call as soon as I’m available. I sure don’t want to keep you waiting.”

  George handed her a card. “As soon as possible, please.” His wife whined in the background. “But honey, we have a party to go to.”

  “This is business. It comes first. Where do you think your fancy clothes come from?” He turned his back to her. “Terra miso for all.”

  Dessert pleased everyone but the wives. Liz scraped her plate the way a child does and loved every crumb. Time to leave and see Ken. What a story she had to tell him.

  The three partners hugged her a bit too tight and George almost felt her up through the black velvet dress. Naughty boy. At the shop, Roger had made the same move. This time, Liz warned him to keep his mitts to himself. He laughed, got back in the car and the Jaguar zoomed off into the night.

  She opened the shop door, threw the white coat on a chair and donned the big apron. ‘Keep your mitts off my tits or you’re not on my list’. No more Happy Valentine’s Day for you! She dipped the pen in black ink and used streaks of red ink. After eleven more were finished and on the rack, Liz hurried next door to see if Ken still waited.

  A knock at the door and a disheveled Ken came running. Liz threw herself into his arms. “That’s the best greeting I’ve had all day.” They kissed even better than the night before.

  “I have so much to tell you, honey.” And she did pour out the whole business. Ken listened carefully.

  “Liz, I’m not sure but they may be using you. You and the shop. All of your ideas to create a show. Think about it. Sure, the guy said they’ll pay you but it’s your shop and your funny cards. What if it becomes a hit? Surely they can build a set similar to your shop. Who will protect your end of the business? I see lots of if’s. Think more about it and don’t get carried away. I have friends who can help and I bet your Dad knows business. When they come tomorrow, allow me to be there as your associate.”

  “You already are my associate. Everything you said makes sense. Now let’s make love.”

  And they did. Sweet and serious, the earth moved just like in the love stories. After a while, they tried it again and it was even better if possible. Liz never felt like this before. Ken was ecstatic. Wrapped together, they slept. When the alarm woke them at seven, nature brought them together until they agreed breakfast next and off to Houston Street. “Oh, what a beautiful morning, Oh what a beautiful day,” they sang in the shower then hurried to dress and hop in his car.

  Chapter 6

  “I hear barking just as the man said. We’re here.”

  Ken found a parking space. Excited they held hands and hurried to the Rescue Shelter where portly man just opened the door. “Hi folks. I spoke to you I think Friday night. You want a small pup. Let’s take a look.”

  “I fell in love with a picture of a Saint James spaniel.”

  “Missy, you have great taste and you know what? I do believe you have great luck. ‘bout a hour ago some folks called to say they can’t keep their spaniel ‘cause they’re moving across the country and asked if we might find a home. She just came in. Want to see her? She’s just one year old, has all her shots, she’s spay and so pretty.”

  “Oh yes. Let’s take a look, huh Ken?”

  They followed him inside where the barking grew louder in one room where dogs were big and the softer sound where the smaller dogs were kept. The place was swept clean. Liz watched for labels on the cages and there she sat. A Saint James spaniel, sweet faced so sad, kind of mournful named Queenie. In colors of brown silk and black, dainty like a doll.

  “May I hold her?”

  “Sure. Talk sweet. Be gentle.” He opened the cage. Queenie flew out and into Liz’s arms. The pup licked her face, whimpered hello, waged her tail.

  “Do we love her or what?” Ken held the small spaniel and felt a tug at his heart. “Yes, we love her.” While Liz walked her on a pink lead attached to a pink collar, Ken filled out papers and paid the bill. They also bought a small bed, food and water bowl. In the car, pooch on Liz’s lap, Ken explained why this breed was so expensive. “She’s won prizes in big contests. The owners hated to leave her. We’re going to love this pooch, honey. You’ll keep her at the shop, watch that no one walks off with her. We’ll take turns walking her for exercise, okay?”

  “You bet. Ken, just think of it. We have a family of three now and we just met a couple of days ago.”

  They exchanged warm glances. “Yeah, but we covered a lot of ground. Next week, let’s talk about getting married.”

  Liz pouted. “Do we have to?”

  “I believe we do, my love.” The pup, Queenie, gave both of them some smooches and soon they were back on Fourth Street unloading dog paraphernalia in the shop, walking the pup like new parents and carrying poop bags like good dog owners should. Her short legs trotted fast until she found a place to squat. Once around the block and they agreed enough was definitely enough.

  “I must get her settled before I call the men. Ken, what do I say and do next?”

  “I’ll be here so they won’t roll over you and then we’ll get the picture of their plan. If they intend to take over your shop, well, we’ll listen and decide what’s best and learn the money end of it.”

  A sleek white limousine parked in front of the shop. Like a cartoon , the doors opened and out poured a multitude of men and women dressed in stage apparel of all kinds. Liz and Ken watched, jaws dropped as the strangers chattered non-stop to check out every corner of the small shop. When two burly guys began to move displays, Ken hollered, “Hold it. Ask permission before you touch anything.”

  George, the top dog, sauntered over to kiss Liz on the cheek. “I’m George Martin, head of management and who are you?”

  “Ken Lerner, Liz’s fiancé and owner of the computer shop next door. Explain what your plans are this afternoon and let’s see how we can cooperate. This is a new shop. Liz worked very hard to keep it fresh.�
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  She loved the smooth way Ken worked with George. Soon the boss explained his plan to try a scene with the lead and some actors to work the script. He called places and quickly the scene began. Liz saw no humor to the script, no liveliness to the shop. “What about the lead drawing a whimsical card for Valentine’s Day. That’s what brought you here to begin with. For instance: Get your mitts off my tits or you’re not on my list. Happy Valentine’s Day or else.

  Everyone roared with laughter. The lead actress made a face.

  George joined in the fun. “You’re so right. I see the display with your original cards over on one side. Do they sell well?”

  “Yes, they do. Personally I think my cards are kind of funny. They make people laugh and that’s a good thing. I also think the shop owner should be an average looking woman, not glamorous, with a sense of humor.” She turned to her main man. “Any other ideas, Ken?”

  “You’re the ideal prototype. Friendly, pleasing, helpful and willing to go all the way with your goofy jokes. You favor customers with fresh coffee and home baked cookies and laughter. What more can they ask for? I’d hire you if you weren’t working already.” He gave her a big kiss on her sweet lips. A bark came from upstairs.

  “George, that’s our new rescue pup. We just picked her up this morning. She’s a King James spaniel. Ken, will you bring her down for a walk before there’s a crowd here?”

  “Sure. Once around the block before the snow flies. Then lunch for our girl.”

  Liz grinned as she watched Ken run up the stairs. “He’s a good man, smart about business.”

  George nodded. “Let’s talk some more.” He called for another run-through, shook his head and called a wrap for the day dismissing the actors and crew. Meanwhile the cutest pup ever came down the steps with Ken. George buttoned his coat and off they went around the neighborhood to discuss possibilities about change.