Free Closet Confidential by Mary Jane Maffini

I always told clients that. And it’s not bad traffic or a flat tire or a broken heel. It’s something in your head. I knew darn well in this case Lorelei was in my head. As I drove along I felt a chill that had nothing to do with the mild weather or the warm Miata. A glance at my speedometer indicated I was way under the speed limit, which is not my style.
    A ray of hope glowed softly in my brain: Maybe Lorelei would change her mind about the project. While I would be sorry that Lilith wouldn’t get that job as team coordinator, I would have been quite pleased. Besides, I always had plenty of work for Lilith, often more than she could handle.
    Even the crunch of the car tires along the long driveway had an ominous sound. I was ten minutes late by this time. When I got out of the car, Harry was waiting near the door.
    “I am sorry that I’m late.” I did not offer an excuse, as I could hardly say I’d been creeped out by the idea of coming back.
    “Don’t you worry about that, Charlotte honey. We’re glad you’re here.” Harry exuded southern warmth. He sure didn’t seem to be aware that I was creeped out.
    Well, Harry might have been glad I was there, but Lorelei was nowhere to be seen.
    “Lorelei’s getting freshened up. I’ll keep you company.”
    Such a warm, reassuring man. I wondered how he could stand this sterile environment and the ice queen who was Lorelei. Of course, I know from my mother’s life, my own, and those of my friends that there is no accounting for taste in lovers and husbands.
    “Sometimes it takes Lorelei a fair amount of time to feel ready to meet the world,” he said.
    I refrained from comment. I’d been late and had no business criticizing others. And it was hard not to smile at Harry.
    Harry headed toward the kitchen. “You have a seat here. I’m fixin’ today’s special cocktail. It’s a champagne julep.”
    “Thanks so much, but it’s a bit too early for me. I need my head about me.”
    He called back over his shoulder. “What’s that charmin’ expression? Somewhere in the world it’s the cocktail hour?”
    “It probably is. Can you make mine a virgin champagne julep?”
    “Well, that’s a good idea.”
    Harry returned with three champagne flutes. They all looked pretty much the same. Mine turned out to be a gentle ice tea with sugar syrup and mint. I had to admit it was delightful.
    Harry sat on the opposite sofa and raised his glass in a salute.
    I raised mine in turn.
    “She’ll be down in good time, don’t you worry.”
    “I’m sure she will. But I’m glad to have a chance to talk to you, Harry.”
    “Really? Why?”
    I liked the way he said it. Sounded like “wah.” Musical.
    “I get the impression that Lorelei isn’t hugely enthusiastic about the whole closet reorganization project.”
    He shrugged. He was an engaging man; he could manage a shrug without looking rude. It seemed to say, Well, what can we do? We are all in this together .
    I pressed on. “Am I right?”
    “Sometimes Lorelei needs a little nudge in a particular direction.”
    “Am I a little nudge?”
    “You are a lot more than that, Charlotte honey. You could be a very pleasant and even productive diversion for a lovely lady who is in desperate need of bein’ diverted from her own thoughts.”
    “I’m not so sure I’ll be able to provide that diversion.”
    “I don’t know anyone who loves clothes more than my girl, and I think when you all get right into the project, you’ll both enjoy yourselves thoroughly.”
    “She didn’t seem very engaged yesterday. We only saw one closet out of the seven.”
    “Seven? I think there might be more than that.”
    “More than seven?”
    “Well, I’m not certain. I don’t ever think much about closets. I can go check for you. Count ’em up.”
    “It doesn’t matter how many. It only matters if Lorelei wants to get involved with the project. It won’t work otherwise.”
    “Oh, I’m sure it will work.”
    “Well, if her