All characters are 18 years old or older.
Scent
The lab was quiet, as usual, for this time of night. A few workstation lights provided a soft glow throughout the room. It was 10pm, and only one employee remained. Dr. Barbara Carbinaro was working late, yet again.
As head of the perfume division for Atlas Consumer Goods, she created the newest retail perfume products. After completing her Ph. D's. in chemistry and neurobiology, she joined the company about twenty years ago. The compensation the company offered when she graduated was off the charts. It was an offer she couldn't refuse and didn't.
Barbara approached fifty, but guessing her age, most would say thirty-five. She kept herself in shape by running. However, the constant standing and moving inside a lab was a workout in its own right.
Glancing at the clock, she grimaced. It was late, and she needed to get home. Her husband, Luka, was losing his patience with her constant late nights at work and working every weekend. It had been going on for months. However, Barbara had a deadline to produce the newest perfume scent that would be available for Christmas. Miss the deadline, and it was very likely she would be fired instead of being promoted to Senior Vice President. A title she coveted for the past couple of years.
The perfume business was brutal and cutthroat. Most products relied on marketing to entice the consumer to buy. Barbara wanted to up the ante. Her goal was to produce a perfume that actually did what a commercial advertised. Attract the opposite sex. Using her vast knowledge of chemistry and neurobiology, Barbara came up with the idea of creating a scent using pheromones.
Humans, animals, and insects all secrete pheromones, affecting those in their species. Specific pheromones are integral in attracting the opposite sex for mating.
Her theory was sound. But so far, the right combination of ingredients hadn't produced winning results. The next stage was to integrate animal pheromones, increasing the potency. A process that could be hit or miss until she found the correct combination. There were only three weeks left until her deadline. Barbara knew she was close, so she kept pushing. Working harder and longer than anyone else. It was going to cost her marriage if she didn't have a breakthrough. But, that was not going to happen tonight. She packed up her things, heading home.
On her way to the elevator, she spotted the night maintenance man. Luther Moss was a legend at Atlas. Everyone in the building loved Luther for his friendliness and his big broad smile. Although he was a bit younger than Barbara, Luther had worked these floors longer than she had been with the company.
When Luther spotted Barbara, he stopped mopping. "Calling it a night, Dr. Carbinaro?"
Barbara pressed the button for the elevator. "Hi, Luther. Yes, finally. It's been a long day."
"Well, you drive safely. I'll probably see you tomorrow." Luther went back to his mopping, working his way down the corridor. Barbara watched him work, admiring his strong muscular frame. His ebony skin glistened with sweat while he cleaned the marble floors. The elevator doors opened, interrupting Barbara from her thoughts.
On the drive home, she thought about her husband and kids. Both of their children were home for the summer, with only a few weeks left until they started their new semesters. Antonia, the eldest, was twenty-one and ready to begin her senior year. She was very shy and not quite as attractive as her mother. However, most of it was based on her frumpy attire and lack of caring about her appearance. Antonia never had a boyfriend. Barbara guessed she was still probably a virgin.
Her other child, Marcus, was just the opposite. He was very handsome with an athletic build and was very popular with the ladies. Marcus was twenty years old, about to begin his junior year at the state college. A future in baseball was possible. Barbara and Luka made sure his grades maintained a high level, just in case it didn't work out.
Barbara pulled into her driveway. She hoped Luka was still up and that lovemaking was a possibility. It had been quite a while since they had sex, mostly due to Barbara's work habits. She needed some tension relief. Her job would either kill her or make her a rock star in the cosmetic world.
"Hi, I'm home," she called out while closing the front door. There was no sign of life. The TV was off, and only one light remained lit downstairs. Barbara went to the kitchen, still no one. Pouring herself a glass of red wine, she headed upstairs.
Both of her children's doors were closed. She could see light from underneath their doors, knowing they were still up.
Barbara lightly knocked on Marcus's door first, "Marcus."
"Yeah," an annoyed response from her son. She cracked the door open. He was sitting at his computer, playing a video game.
Barbara remained in the doorway. "How was your day, honey?"
Marcus continued playing his game, "Um, fine. I'm kind of busy, Mom."
It was getting more challenging to connect with her son. He had reached that age, where he thought he didn't need his mother any longer. Most of the time, Barbara felt she was annoying him. In her mind, he was still her baby boy. "Sorry, honey, I'll leave you to your game. Good night."
Marcus kept playing, never turning around, "Night, Mom."
Barbara went to her daughter's door, hoping she would be more engaging. Knocking, "Toni," using her nickname.
"Come in," her daughter's response was at least a little more cordial.
Antonia was lying on her bed reading. Music played at a low level, the newest Taylor Swift album.
"How was your day sweetie," Barbara asked.
"Fine. Are you just getting home?" asked her daughter.
"Yes, unfortunately. What are you reading?"
"A book about Quantum Physics by Art Friedman," Toni responded.
Antonia was brilliant, like her mother. Barbara was confident that her daughter could be a renowned physicist someday. She just wished she'd find a balance between her studies and her social life. What good would it be if she spent her entire life alone?
"So, some light reading then," Barbara chuckled. "Hey, did you want to go shopping this weekend?"
Toni kept reading, "Um, what for?"
"So, we can get you some new clothes."
Toni shrugged, "My clothes are fine, Mommy. Besides, there's a lecture series at the library this weekend that I was going to attend."
"Oh, are you going with someone?" Barbara inquired. Hopefully, she had a date.
"No, just by myself."
Well, that was disappointing, Barbara thought.
"Anything else, Mommy? I'm trying to get this chapter done before I go to sleep," Toni asked, attempting to go back to her solitude.
