"I need you to drop this off at Auntie Gail's office for me on your way home." Mom said. "She wanted to talk to you about something anyway."
My aunt Gail's face is one of the first I can remember, I've been around her all my life and enjoy her company immensely. She's almost exactly fifteen years older than I am, with a razor-sharp wit and a talent for snark that goes right over most people's heads. I find her delightful; I'm not so sure you would agree.
Lately I seldom see her, even though she lives not far away. She amassed great wealth in the stock market, and from several businesses she started since earning her MBA. Her picture has graced the cover of a couple of business related publications, touting her "Meteoric" rise in the business world.
If Auntie Gail asks you a question, she will lock eyes her stunning blue eyes on you, in a way that makes it exceedingly difficult for you to tell her anything she might not want to hear.
I told my mom about my perceptions of her sister; she just looked at me and shook her head slowly.
"Do you have a crush on Auntie Gail? That's so sweet." mom said, with mock sincerity.
"Just take this bag over to Gail at her office on your way back, will you? Please"? She asked.
***
I parked my car in the garage, hoping someone would validate my parking ticket, and made my way across the pavement to the main entrance of a great steel and glass building.
I had wondered how I was going to find her office in this huge building, and was relieved to see a uniformed security guard at the desk in front of the elevators.
"Excuse me, I'm here to see Gail Morrison?" I said questioningly.
"Ms. Morrison is not available." the guard growled without looking up from his monitor, in a tone that indicated he'd like me to go away.
"Um, she's expecting me, I'm her nephew, Ronnie."
The guard's head snapped up and he began to look me over from head to toe.
"Last name?" he barked
"Wilson"
With that the guard turned and picked up a phone, punching a few numbers. "There's a Ronnie Wilson in the lobby for Ms. Morrison. Says he's expected".
Whatever the party on the other end had said, it changed his attitude. "She'll be down in a few minutes. Have a seat" he said, almost warmly, indicating a chair near the desk. "Would you like coffee?" he continued with a smile that two minutes before I had thought him incapable of.
I politely declined his offer and took my seat to wait for Auntie Gail.