by Baer, Judy
“‘They’? As in Zelda and Imelda? Probably sleeping. It’s past their bedtimes.” I sighed. “I hope they’re okay while we’re gone. Wendy promised me she’d take care of them like they were her own. Knowing Wendy, that’s not all that comforting.”
A single yip came from the direction of the kitchen.
“Wha—” We went to the doorway of the kitchen that Wendy—it couldn’t have been anyone else—had blocked off with a pet gate. Beyond the gate were Zelda and Imelda, dressed for a wedding celebration.
Zelda wore a new collar with little bride and groom charms on it and a white sweater on which Wendy had stitched a plethora of white sequins. The cat looked as though she were imitating the Queen Mum.
Imelda was equally fitted out in bridal wear. She had a plastic tiara attached to the fur on her head and a fluffy white tutu hanging off her haunches. Wendy had appliquéd little silver shoes onto the netting. She yipped again and I would have bet a million dollars that they were posing just for us. On the table behind them was a miniature wedding cake with a sign sprouting out of the cake. “Warning—made of cottage cheese and tuna fish. Party on.”
A half hour later, as Zelda and Imelda lay sleeping at our feet, satiated, Jared and I curled together on the couch.
“Now I can leave assured that Wendy will take care of them,” I admitted. “I underestimated her. They may not even want me back.”
“Oh, I think they’ll be pleased.” Jared tipped my face toward his and kissed the tip of my nose. “I know I’m thrilled to know I’m spending the rest of my life with you.”
“Are you?” I teased. “I’m a little high maintenance—the pets, my business, the cleaning fixation and all.”
“You don’t think I can do ‘high maintenance’? After Molly, living with you will be a walk in the park.” He planted a kiss on my ear that I felt in my kneecaps. “Besides, I’ve been warned.”
“By who?” I sat straight up. “If it’s Wendy, she’s lying. Don’t believe a word of it.”
He took me by the shoulders and turned me toward him. “You warned me, darling.”
“Me? I haven’t said a word.”
“You didn’t need to. I hired you to help me organize my sister’s life, and you turned my life into chaos. I ended up with a wife, a new brother-in-law, an extended family and a pair of wacko animals who think they’re human. Not only that, I’m spending my wedding night eating a cottage-cheese cake with a dog in a tutu and a cat wearing sequins and rhinestones. You’ve threatened to buy a goat and have a half-dozen children. Don’t you think I’ve realized by now that you are not an ordinary woman and I’ve signed up for a life of pandemonium?”
“That does sound like a lot.” I tucked myself a little closer to my new husband. “Fortunately for you, I’m good at sorting out complex situations. What part of your life would you like me to organize for you?”
“Not a thing, darling, not a thing. I think we’ve finally reached perfection.”
Dear Reader,
Be My Neat-Heart was a pleasure to write for many reasons. It is such fun to create characters that not only cherish their Christian faith, but also enjoy a good sense of humor. Laughter is a gift to be relished.
In the nonwriting part of my life, I am a personal life coach, so making my very organized heroine Samantha Smith a clutter coach seemed a natural thing to do.
I also understand Molly’s side of the story. As a creative person, I’m very visual. And that, in my office, often translates into messy. If one’s home is an outward manifestation of one’s inward emotional state and we’re looking at my office, I’m in big trouble. I’m always trying to master the paper and books I live with. To write a story about a clutter coach and her very frustrating client taps into two of my most familiar experiences.
I’m working on a master’s degree in human development in the areas of writing, coaching and spirituality. Be My Neat-Heart has been a playful intersection of these three spheres. I hope you have as much fun with the characters as I have.
Blessings,
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
Is it true that external clutter reflects inner turmoil in a person’s life? Can you think of examples from your own life?
Whom did you identify with in this story and why? Did you recognize anyone you know in the characters on the page?
Which character was it most difficult for you to relate to?
How does what happens in this story relate to your life?
Did you realize what Molly’s problem really was or did it come as a surprise to you? Why?
Would you ever hire a clutter coach? What could he or she do for you that you aren’t doing for yourself right now?
Have you ever been to a spa like the one Samantha goes to? What did you enjoy most about it?
Have you ever felt like you’ve been expected by God to do something very important and been unable to achieve it? How did it make you feel?
If you were going to give someone two of your best tips for keeping your life and home in order, what would they be?
What do you believe God expects of us in regard to our possessions and the care of them?
ISBN: 978-1-4592-0131-6
BE MY NEAT-HEART
Copyright © 2006 by Judy Duenow
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All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.
This edition published by arrangement with Steeple Hill Books.
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