Free What Would Oprah Do by Erin Emerson Page B

database you’re using, so I can enter them accordingly. Thanks!” I thought about putting a smiley face on the note, figuring Alexis did that sort of thing, but it didn’t feel like me. After the whole potty mouth thing, I figured she knew that.
    I decided to head straight to my next gig partially because I wanted to get it over with, and partially because I was afraid if I went home first, it would be even harder to get motivated to drag myself over there.
    When I got to the address Betty’s mom had left on my voicemail, I wasn’t sure I was at the right place. It was a bungalow style house, old Atlanta. Charming and quaint, it was the kind of house I had thought James and I would be living in. I felt a surge of annoyance, as I thought about how different my life was supposed to be now. Reminding myself that he wasn’t the one for me, since the right one would never fuck his boss, I took a deep breath and walked to the door. I knocked twice, waiting between each one, but no answer. Thinking that she had forgotten I was coming and wasn’t home, I was relieved that I could leave. I knocked one more time for good measure. As I turned to walk back to my car, the door opened to a woman with a round face peering out from a floppy straw hat. “You, my dear, must be Cate.” She had a warm welcoming smile and bright blue eyes, younger than I would have imagined since Betty had to be over fifty. “Come on back,” she motioned with her free hand, the other was holding a small shovel, “I’ll show you the garden.” The house was open, with a living room, flowing into a dining room, followed by the kitchen. There were plants everywhere, tropical looking trees in every corner and hanging baskets in nooks around the kitchen. Through the kitchen, big glass doors opened into an enormous back yard, much bigger than what normally accompanies houses of that size. “If you’re thirsty, I’ve got a pitcher of sun tea that should be brewed by now.”
    “I’m fine, thank you.” I said, figuring that even though Betty must have told her I didn’t have experience, no reason to get comfortable until we established that I had the job.
    She stepped through the doors and before I could follow her, she was back with a pitcher of sun tea. “Have some anyway. It’s good for you.” She had small green leaves in her hand. She dropped them in the pitcher, before pouring it over two glasses filled with ice. “Mint,” she answered my silent question, “it’s so refreshing.” She handed me a glass and took a sip of the other one. “I’m Vivian,” she said, “but you probably sorted that out already.”
    “Nice to meet you, Vivian.” I said.
    “Come on outside.” she said as she opened a drawer and grabbed a pack of cigarettes. “You smoke?” I asked.
    “Don’t give me a lecture. I’m too old for lectures, and I don’t give a shit.”
    “Me either!” I replied. “I mean I’m not too old for lectures, but I smoke.”
    “Oh good,” she said, “It’s horrible you know.” Vivian handed me a cigarette and walked outside. I eagerly followed. There were plants everywhere. Pots inside the perimeter of the deck, baskets on the railing. There was foliage and flowers everywhere I looked, making it hard to focus on any one thing.
    There was a glass patio table on the back deck, she sat down and lit her cigarette before handing me the lighter. It wasn’t the cheap colorful plastic kind like I get at the gas station. It was silver with her initials engraved on it. “So Cate, tell me about yourself.”
    I lit mine, and took a drag before answering. Her cigarettes were long and thin, as dainty as a cigarette could be. “I got laid off, and now I’m trying to figure out what to do with my life. So I’m looking for something part -time to keep busy, and I like flowers.” Since Betty had probably told her as much, I didn’t try to sell myself. When Vivian didn’t say anything, I wondered if I was mistaken. “I’m a quick