Jillian Chantal

This week, we’re writing to the word prompt SATIN. This is a continuation of my 1950s romance I started sharing last week. Check out the other stories here.

The next morning Vivian found herself dressing with more care than usual. She stood in front of her closet and chose her favorite white blouse. It was made of acetate satin material and had a small jabot collar to match. She picked her best navy blue skirt and slid on her best pair of nylons. As she buckled her patent leather shoes, she realized that she was trying to be sure she looked her best since she was going to be seeing Rick Logan.

Angry with herself for subconsciously wanting the man to think she was attractive, she decided to change her appearance before she left her cottage. Instead of leaving her long, loose curls hanging around her shoulders as she usually did since it was her best asset, Vivian strode back into her bathroom and pulled her hair back in a severe bun. She stopped short of wiping off her lipstick—she’d never go that far—but she did remove a little of her eyeliner. It wouldn’t do for the arrogant man to think she was his for the taking.

Arriving at campaign headquarters a few moments early, Vivian unlocked the door and once inside, started the coffee. Her boss was the next to arrive and he staggered over to the coffee urn as if he were comatose. He gave her a wan smile.

“Late night, Mr. Jameson?” She handed him a cup of the strong coffee, black.

“You know, I’ve had a long career in running political campaign offices and this one should be easy since Ike has such a good rapport with the American public and since California is his vice-president’s home state but these late nights are getting to me. This may be my last hurrah. I’m getting too old for this.” He took a sip of the coffee. “Ahh. Divine.”

“I wanted to chat with you about the assignment to work with that captain from the base on the event they want to throw for the president.”

Mr. Jameson carried his cup and headed toward his office. He nodded to Vivian to follow him. “Come on in and we’ll talk. I need to find some aspirin, too.”

“I have some in my desk. I’ll bring them in.”

Vivian took the pain relievers to Mr. Jameson and watched as he downed three of them. He leaned his head on the back of his chair and closed his eyes. She stayed silent for a few moments while he sipped more of the coffee. Eventually, she opened her mouth to speak.

Before she could make a sound, without opening his eyes, Mr. Jameson said, “You can really help me out by being the campaign’s liaison with these people from the base. I have a lot going on with all the tasks being put on me by the party and this would be one less thing I would need to deal with.” He opened his eyes and leaned forward. “I’m not only burning the candle at both ends, the middle is melting too and when the commanding officer from Edwards called to ask for assistance with their event, I couldn’t very well say no and since you’ve been such a great full-time employee, I volunteered your services. I hope you don’t mind. I know you’ll do a wonderful job.”