Excerpt from Love's Labours Won

 Now available as an ebook http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/94738

Chapter 1- Want Ads

Life was getting Sarah down. She was twenty one years old and what did she have to show for it? Did she have a career? No, she didn't. Did she have a boyfriend, husband or children…another no! Or even a significant other? She had no one, no one to care if she lived or died. She had worked so many dead end jobs there was too many to count. She had once been a Wal-Mart Greeter and even spent a winter as a telemarketer selling lawn services for the upcoming spring. She really had not done well at that job either, so many hang-ups and no sales. They kept her for a month and then it was…

“I'm sorry you’re not working out”

Like, duh. She didn't know that she hadn't made any sales. She had to make a living somehow.

            She scanned the want ads. There were lots of jobs for coffee servers, but she was so tired of smiling and serving food to people. Then she saw the ad, the ad that made her sit up and take notice.

Companion wanted

Must be young presentable and personable

Apply by phone at 555-5555 only serious inquires need apply

Must have two references

            What was this some kind of weird scam luring young woman to their peril? Really how dramatic was she being?  Sarah would have normally ignored such an ad but she was getting short on cash and the rent was due next week.

She didn't have the seven hundred and fifty dollars that the landlord wanted for this dump…err…wonderful furnished apartment. She'd be out on the street. It wasn’t like she had a lot of friends, which she could ask to crash on their sofas. Melanie would have let her but she was off on a modeling job in France and had sublet her apartment to a yuppie couple that obviously didn’t know Sarah.

Should I or shouldn't I call? Sarah thought. I mean was it safe? What if they were white slavers? The people Gran was always warning her about growing up? She was always being ridiculous of course so I should just seize the opportunity. Gran was gone and so were her worrisome and out-dated ideas. Sarah looked at the ads again.

Barista wanted must have previous experience and two references. Must be prepared to clean and carry up to 40 pounds of product.

That was new. They were warning people that they would be heavy lifting. Hmm usually they told you this when you started there. But forty pounds what the heck?

“Were they having the baristas carry coffee beans?” Sarah thought aloud

There had to be another job offer somewhere in these online sites. She scanned the ads once again.

No nothing in the ads but that companion job. She took a huge breath and dialled the number.

“Hello.” the voice said on the other end of the line.

It was not an answering machine but a real live person. Sarah took another deep breath.

“Uh I’d like to apply for the job that you placed in the Free Press.” She replied with all the enthusiasm she could muster.

“I see… and what makes you believe you’re the person we are looking for?” Asked the voice on the other end of the line

“I like people and people like me. I am often stopped by strangers and they always seem compelled to tell me their complete life histories”, Sarah replied.

“Uh huh and how do you respond to these indignities to your peace and quiet?” asked the voice.

“Well I know not everyone would listen but I find it fascinating to hear the stories people tell and to just listen if that's what they need. And maybe in some I can help them. It's not an intrusion.” Sarah answered without even thinking.

“I see one such as you may have led a very difficult life. People do not always return the kindness to that you seem to offer so freely. You are an old soul.” replied the voice sounding distinctively male, and little too familiar.

“Well…I don't know if this is odd or what but a long time ago I decided I liked me. If others find me a Pollyanna; a person who is too kind, too naive for the world that’s their problem. I like being different even if others think me odd, I can only be me. Oh, I can't believe I'm telling you this in a job interview no less. Now you'll never hire me and I'm sorry I've wasted your time sir.” Sarah responded embarrassed and about to hang up.

“Miss, please don’t hang up. I think you maybe a potential candidate for this rather unique job.”

“You think I might be the person you want?” asked Sarah incredulously.

“Well obviously my employer would have the final say, but you sound as if you might make my short list of candidates.”

“Not to make you mad or anything and maybe lose my chance at this job, but don't you think you should know more about me?”

“I am a very good judge of character. That's why my employer trusts me in this manner.” states the man in a voice almost mesmerizing. Sarah felt herself believing every word he said

“Wow, you must be in a very prestigious job.” replied Sarah without thinking again.

“The only possible drawback to your employment might be your tendency to forthcoming with your thoughts.  Do you do this often Miss?”

“Miss Sarah Dexler, and no I don't usually blurt out everything. There is simply something about you.”

Sarah realized her blunder.

 “Sorry I’m doing it again I don't know what has come over me. I promise I'm not usually like this and would guard myself with your employer.”

“Never fear Miss Dexler. I’m a good judge of character and you seem to be very nice and kind. And my employer needs kindness. My employer also needs someone who will listen most of all. You have said you do that with strangers, you listen and help so that makes you a candidate we simply must see.”

The man suddenly sounded very interested and in the next second he surprises Sarah with,

“So would you be available for an interview tomorrow at 3 PM?”

“Yes, of course.”

Sarah became tentative.

 “I guess I could.”

“Obviously given the generalities of our ad some applicants have been taken back and would like assurances of our trust worthiness. My employer, though he wishes to remain anonymous until the candidates are found, will be quite happy to provide references for himself.

After confidentiality agreements are signed as well. These, of course, will be provided at the interview stage. Interviews will be conducted at our temporary office at 1000 Park Street. We look forward to seeing you there Miss Dexler. Goodbye.”

The man ended the call abruptly.

Sarah closed her cell phone and thought… how odd that this man was so mesmerizing on the phone and how had he seemed to snatch thoughts from her head. It was all a bit odd. Then as she thought some more she realized it even stranger he had forgotten to share his name. Had she distracted the poor man? Why had he forgotten to share his name? His English upper crust accent sounded so prim, proper and professional that it seemed even odder to her now that he did not reveal his name. Still, she hoped this job would pan out or in a few days she'd be begging on the street corner.

©  2011 Sheilagh Lee
This must not be copied in any form without permission from author.