Golden Bird

"Sounds like you've found a great guy. Have you set a date yet?"

"You mean marriage? No ... I do love David, but ... I'm not ready to get married again. We're happy with things just the way they are, and I don't want to screw it up."

Susan looked thoughtfully at her friend and nodded. "I understand ... So, since I can't convince you to come back to work, what can we sell you?"

"Ah yes, I need a dress. Something sexy, you know, a little wild but not trashy."

"Hmmm ... " Susan picked up the phone and punched in some numbers. "Helen, I'm sending Sara Mathews down to see that new shipment of gowns ... no, she's here to buy for herself ... that's right, and I'll sign for her discount." She turned to Sara. "There, now go down and find an absolutely smashing dress."

Sara embraced her friend. "Thank you."

"Don't mention it. Just be happy, OK?"

"I will. Listen, don't worry about me any more, I'm going to be fine. I've picked up the pieces that Bob shattered ... with David's help. He's a good man, and he treats me as though I'm very special."

"Well, you are," insisted the older woman, "and I can see he's done wonders for you, so he's OK in my book. Now don't be such a stranger, it's not as though Vermont were thousands of miles away, you know."

"That's right, so why don't you come up for a visit sometime?"

"What, me on a farm! You've got to be kidding! I'm a city girl, born and bred."

The two friends parted, agreeing to stay in touch, and Sara went down to Better Dresses where she was indeed able to find the perfect party dress for a romantic evening of dining, dancing, and, of course, gambling.

When she met David at his former office, laden with boxes of all different shapes and sizes, he laughed and wanted to know if she'd bought out the store.

"There were a few things I needed." She replied defensively.

After meeting some of his former associates, David and Sara left for the hotel where David wanted her to model her purchases, but she refused, wanting to wait until they were in Atlantic City.