StylisM

   “So you really want to know what I do? Because its not really that exciting.”
“I’m asking aren’t I?” She exclaimed.
“Well I sell the company basically. We manage companies who do not have resources or have the know how to run and manage there businesses. I know it sounds crazy how can you own a business and not know how to run it.”
“Actually it doesn’t sound crazy cause that sounds like me.” She laughed.
“Well I use to think it was crazy when I first came aboard. Until I realized the complexity and ingenuity in the services. I mean if a business could pay someone to do their payroll, taxes, workman’s comp., HR, and a bunch of other services I could care less or didn’t not have to worry about. That would leave me with more time to do what I know how to do and love the best. Which would be the heart of my business. So its a pretty cut and dry business but its beneficial.”

   She look at me smiled and then burst into laughter. “Um… umm….. What?”
“Wow country boy! Um…. Um…. You have me speechless.” She stated nervously.
“Did I say something wrong? I asked.
“No um no…. It’s just…. just when you talked about your work you um…. You get this look and um…. well…. You… Let’s just say I’d invest in your services on that presentation alone.”
“OK…. Are you ok?” I asked.
“Yes I’m fine. She replied. “Umm so how long have you been in this line of work?” She asked.
“I have been with them for about 3 years. Yes 3 seemingly long years but hey I’m a VP now.” I said with sarcasm.
“So VP that means you make good money and fringe benefits right?” She asked.
“Well I guess your right I do get paid a decent wage.”I said with smirk. “Fringe benefits well…. Here it is the holidays and I’m stuck in an airport waiting for a flight, who only God knows when will take off, on a business trip! However there is one good thing.”
“And what is that?” She inquisitively asked. “Well I at least am in the company of a beautiful, intelligent woman.” I replied embarrassingly. “Although she has verbally assaulted me on numerous occasions throughout our short conversations.” I jokingly exclaimed.
“Well thank you Byron I am also pleased to be in company with an educated, handsome, somewhat humorous gentleman…. I think.” She smile and replied.

  She reached out her hand and touched my arm as she laughed. I felt my heart start to beat faster. I can’t believe her lightest touch just sent chills through my body. Damn what the hell is wrong with me? She is just a woman. Well a very beautiful woman who is seemingly successful. I want to know more.I thought to myself.

   “So Lana enough about the country boy tell me about you and your business.”
“Well I started a marketing firm for small up coming businesses. Like you its more for business who do not have direction or know how. However my specialty is marketing. I use various resources in getting your business name out there. Also to keep their business growing. I love what I do. I love meeting new people and helping others succeed.
‘The downfall is there are lot of other larger firms out there that have more capital. So my focus is start up and small business owners. The mom and pop business where every dollar truly counts and they know the true value of personal marketing.”
“I see. So you came to Atlanta to do a presentation or something?” I asked.
“No not really I came to just visit really. My client here contributes to about 85 percent of my sales. So they are more of an asset to my business than I am to theirs. I will never tell them that.” Lana laughingly replied.

   I kept noticing that Lana had a very beautiful smile and her personality was very matching. I could see her being a successful marketer. As she spoke she displayed gestures that made me feel at ease and relaxed which in the sales world is the easy way to close. So you are pretty successful then? I asked.

   “Well I wouldn’t necessarily say that, I have about 150 clients throughout the country but most are based in the southern region. I sometimes contemplate just moving to this area but I never get pass the thought. I think overall from an economic and business stand point it would be beneficial but I don’t know from a personal stand point. I don’t want to base my life on just business.”
“Well how different really is Chicago from Atlanta?” I asked. She gave me this evil look as if that question had offended her.
“Oh I’m sorry is that the wrong question to ask?” I responded.
“No its just Chi town is far different from ATL.”
“So what’s the difference then?” I asked curiously sarcastic.
“Um well its for one Chicago that in itself is about 10 plus reasons. Also there’s not much to do in Atlanta.”
“What?” I exclaimed. “How do you figure that?” I question.
“There is trust me. And… and…. well its Chicago!”
“Oh ok I see now i understand. So you have no convinced me Chicago is far different from Atlanta.” I sarcastically remarked. “Ok so you are telling me if I asked you to move to Atlanta you would say no?” “Um huh?” She looked at me with a puzzling look.
“I was joking.” I laughed. She looked at me and smiled.
“So do you like Atlanta from what you have experienced from your visits?” I asked.
“Its cool I mean its a different from what I’m use to, but honestly I don’t even go anywhere when I’m here. I usually go to the hotel restaurant have dinner and go back to my room and watch TV or read something.”
” Oh sounds very fun.” I stated with sarcasm.
“Well the only people I really know here is my client. So what else is there to do?”
” Well I know what you can do now.” I strategically replied.
“And what’s that ole country boy?”
” Well you can now…”

   At that moment an interrupting tone came over the intercom and a woman’s voice followed saying “passengers of flight 2355, please return to the departure gate. I repeat passengers of flight 2355, please return to the departure gate.”

“Home, well I’m from Chicago.” she replied. “And you?” “I’m from Atlanta.” “You are from here?” Yes born and raised.” “Wow a real life country boy!”. She exclaimed. ” ‘Country Boy!’, ‘Country Boy!’ What? I’m not a country boy!” I yelled. “Um you do live in the south right?” She sarcastically asked. “Yes, but but…. that doesn’t make me country. What the hell?” I laughed. “So you assume because I live in the south that I’m country. So what does that make you?” She then smiled and laughed. “Well it sure don’t make me country.” She said in a southern accent. “Oh you got jokes huh? Well since I’m getting assaulted by you can I at least know your name?” “Assaulted? Aw did i hurt the country boy’s little feelings?” “Oh damn, you do got jokes I like…. I like…. I can tell you are from up north.” I stated. “Anyways are you going to tell me your name or what?” “Sure I’m Lana.” She extends her hand out, “nice to meet you.” She says with a smirk. I folded my arms for a moment to pretend to be bothered and then smiled and extended my hand to meet hers and said “I’m Byron.” As I touched her hand i felt the warmth of her skin. Her hand was very soft which immediately began throwing me in that trance again. As I found myself drifting I quickly replied “nice to meet you too.” We both laughed.

As we stood in front of the gate laughing and talking about different things. I was amazed in my mind how this seem too much like a fairy tale meeting. I mean how often does your flight get cancelled and you end up meeting a very beautiful woman. Also having conversation with them. That kind of stuff just doesn’t happen. Well it never happens to me. However, I wasn’t about to let my doubts remove me from this situation. I motioned for us to take a seat at the gate waiting area. We had heard no word from the airline in which the flight being rescheduled or us being able to board again. Honestly I didnt even care. I was in the presence of a good company and was never really looking forward to this trip anyways. Throughout our conversation she kept referring to me as “Country Boy.” I couldn’t for the world come up with any come backs. So I kept conversing to pass time and to keep her talking to me. I really don’t know how she was feeling about our conversation but she wasn’t checking her watch so I kept talking. “So you said you were here on business?” I asked. “Yes I was checking up on a client of mine.” “So what kind of business do you do?” I graciously asked. “Well I own my own company, we do marketing for small businesses. My client here in Atlanta is my biggest one. So I make it my business to come see them at least twice a month. What do you do?” She asked. “Well I’m VP of Sales for a company call Style Management based out of Atlanta.” “Ooh Mr. Country Boy VP mm-mm…. So what do you sell?” “I sell “Management with Style” of course.” I started to laugh. She looked at me with a puzzled grin. “Management?” She asked with an inquisitive look? I replied, “Do you really want to know? Or is this a country boy joke that’s building?” “No! No!” she smile and stated “no, I just want to know what kind of management and why style?” “Well if you really want to know…”

I lay my head upon the pillow of despair. Asking myself how did I once again get here? I dream big and love strong but once again I’m back to the place where I feel all alone. So is this really my destiny, my heart and mind filled with pain? Is this the only path for me? I stand in the rain in an attempt to drown the fire. However the rains are reminiscent of Hell’s Shower. I look inside to find a piece of the undying me. In hopes to hold on but its only my reflection I see. So here I lay blinded by uncertainty….