She just can't get enough (3)

January 25, 2009 Writer's Cramp entry.
Prompt: Write a short story or poem about trying to plan the perfect birthday party for the seven-year-old child from heck. To make this clearer, this is a child that is not satisfied with anything, anytime, anywhere.

She just can’t get enough

Conrad Miller carefully replaced the speaker on the phone. He put his face in both his hands and let out a slow sigh.

Kathy pretended to be busy. She didn’t know what else to do. Mrs. Miller had been calling her husband several times a day for the last week. Her loud shrill voice carried all the way to Kathy. Even though she was never able to understand what the quarrel was about Kathy could see it took its toll on Conrad.

“Do you give Brandon such a hard time?”

“Sir?” Kathy was surprised by the question.

“My wife turns 30 next month. She wants to have a lavish party. Since I don’t have time to prepare it, I gave her a budget for decorations and catering. Last I checked she should be able to have anything she wants, but every day she tells me she needs more.” Conrad looked tired and older than his 28 years.

“I’m sorry, sir.”

Conrad laughed bitter, “Me too. I’m sorry too. I should have kept her and Brett in that shitty 2-bedroom instead of moving her to the suburbs. Every time there’s a party the housewives turn into a gaggle of seven-year old girls from hell.”

Kathy giggled and immediately bit her lips. It wasn’t seemly to laugh at her boss’ wife.

Conrad’s face lit up, “Please, Kathy. Please laugh with me about this situation. Brianna has gone berserk since the move. The raise I got for my last promotion gets completely absorbed by the mortgage for that house. But she has to keep up with the Joneses at any cost. Our pool isn’t big enough. We don’t have horses. The list goes on and on how poor Brianna doesn’t have what such and such has.” Conrad let out a frustrated groan.

This was the longest personal conversation Kathy and Conrad had since they worked together. It had been important for Conrad to stay professional and never share more than the barest facts from his life. Married for nine years with a kindergartner, that’s all Kathy knew of him. She had met Brianna at their seventh anniversary celebration and never had contact with her or Brett again.

Walking around his desk Conrad asked, “May I invite you to lunch?”

“Oh, … ah, … no thank you, sir. I have …”

“You call that brown bag lunch?” Conrad stepped quickly behind her desk and grabbed the lunch sack out of her open purse. He peeked inside, “An apple and a couple of granola bars. Is that all you eat every day?”

Kathy nodded. ‘Obviously even Conrad doesn’t know that much about living on a budget.’

Her thoughts were negated by him snorting angrily, “Let me take you for a real meal before my wife makes the credit card go up in flames. Then, I’ll be down to granola bars too.”

Seeing her hesitation Conrad smiled friendly and said, “Come on, one lunch after two and a half years of working together is only fair. I’ve never had time to take you out for secretary day. We’ll make this our own special one!”

In the garage under the building he asked with a silly grin, “You want to take the cruiser? It’s more fun than my car.”

“Sure,” Kathy got into the passenger seat of his armored, high powered vehicle. Poseidon Security Corporation drove cars that were equipped like police cars, the backseats gated off with Plexiglas.

The electric gate swung open and Conrad gunned the gas pedal. Each time the gate activated, traffic was halted with a red light, giving the corporation’s agents a chance to zoom out unhindered. Besides special license plates the cars were unmarked. Conrad placed the magnetic light from the dashboard onto the roof and turned his siren on. Dashing through red lights, making all other cars stop or pull over to the curb they crossed town faster than an ambulance. Kathy saw Conrad’s mood improve with each turn he took at break-neck speed. He drove recklessly, but she felt safe with him. He was in total control of his car and surroundings. They stopped outside of a fancy restaurant.

The valet opened the door on Kathy’s side. He smiled and said politely, “Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Miller.”

“She’s my secretary, Rogelio. I’m making up for secretary day.” Conrad threw the Latino attendant the keys and led Kathy into the restaurant. He placed his hand in the small of her back and gently guided her to his accustomed table.

It was the first time he touched her and Kathy felt a jolt of electricity traverse her body. Conrad didn’t notice. He had naturally assumed the role of gentleman without giving it a specific thought.

789 words