By Cynthia Schuerr (Broken ~ Desert ~ Voices)
From little on, she knew she was very special. Desiree could change an opinion or the mood of others, just by being in the same room with them. ….No speak, just aura. It was as if her mysterious dark eyes could see into their soul.
Many times, others would tell her of the transformation as soon as she came into their site. It could not be explained except to say there are some who are of influence and there are some who are not. She wanted to put this gift to good use. Not quite sure, how to do that, she pondered different avenues. Should she advertise her gift and have people come from around the world just to help them make right decisions in their lives.
No, who would believe it? However, there had to be a subtle way of unleashing the voices in her head that cajoled her to do something, anything with this special characteristic born to her.
Growing up, everyone wanted to be around her, so much so that she craved being alone. She moved to a small desert town on the outskirts of Las Vegas, where she became hardly noticeable, except for the candle shop that she owned and operated alone. She had a great mind for business and while most people thought it an odd place for a shop, a place with very little traffic, if any on some days, she knew it would be a success. The demographics were all wrong, but if she could have them come even once, she knew they would be back again and again.
A billboard on the strip of glitz and glamour simply read…
Follow map for scented candles that will change your life.....all uniquely dipped by Desiree.
Her eyes were drawn in all their mystery as her signature at the end of her words with a small map showing her location.
Desiree concocted her scents with special oils and gave them names like, Destiny, Fortune, Romance and Serendipity. Each had its own uniqueness. Some even more so……certain ones of the little pots of melted wax would be different.
Desiree, with head titled back and arms open wide, took in a breathe that heaved her chest high. Her whispering chant was eerie and full of purpose…..
"Give of my gift to those in need and share with them my specialty."
As she let out a whoosh of breath over the distinguished pots, the wax began to swirl. The colors vibrant and now filled with her spirit. Life changing candles as she promised in her advertisement. These candles had very different names, but not ones that her client would see.
~~~~~~~~~~
Tires hitting the gravel road alerted Desiree that soon a life would be changed. The door chimed and in walked an unsuspecting customer. It was a couple, mid-forties…husband and wife, she thought.
She smiled and welcomed them to peruse the many candles that aligned the shelves. The woman smiled and sniffed candle by candle. She had a serene calmness about her, which Desiree appreciated. He, on the other hand, kept checking his watch with the anxiety of someone wanting to be somewhere else.
Oh, look Jack! Isn’t this a beautiful color…..and the aroma is breathtaking.” As she lifted it to his nose, she noticed his name ‘Jack’ on the backside of it. She giggled.
“Look Jack, it was made just for you!” She smiled at him with eyes of love. But, he looked at her with noticeable contempt. The woman’s eyes lowered to the floor as if she wanted to disappear and take her embarrassment with her. Desiree met her glance and tried to comfort her with an understanding smile.
It was evident this was not a happy couple. Hard for Desiree to watch this emotionally mismatched pair, she stepped in to push the sale of that candle.
She looked up at the man with all of her beauty and those eyes. He became a blubbering idiot, trying to impress her. Nevertheless, she wasn’t impressed. The wife looking at Desiree with saddened eyes as she watched her husband fawn all over her, walked to the other side of the shop, still holding the same candle. The one with his name on it.
Desiree excused herself and followed her. She whispered into the woman’s ear....
“This candle will change your life, read the directions behind the label before lighting it.”
A curious George wondered, but too proud to care about what was said, barked to his wife instead.
“Mary, I think we’d better be on our way,”
He handed Desiree the twenty dollars for the candle. Desiree wrapped it in tissue and placed it in a small bag. As she handed it to the Mary, she patted her hand.
“Thank you,” she said. “You will be very happy with this candle...I assure you.”
~~~~~~~~~~
The couple retired to their suite. George paying little attention to Mary opened his laptop and began to work. Mary didn’t really expect much, she knew she had only been taken along because she insisted. It was a business trip after all.
Trying to make the best of it, she dressed in a blue satin nightie and robe. She called his name, softly. Glancing in her direction, he laughed.
“You’ll have to lose twenty pounds to look good in that!” Her heart was broken.
Turning her attention to the candle, Desiree’s words came to her. The directions read……
~ If you are looking for his undying love and attention forever more….and that his need will be to have you and you alone for the rest of his life……then light this candle and he will be yours always ~
She struck the match and lit the wick.... The aroma swirled around him. He looked at her like never before….She could see in his eyes that he had to have her. He reached for her…..as she walked passed him with a sly grin on her way to the door.
“Goodbye, Jack.”
From little on, she knew she was very special. Desiree could change an opinion or the mood of others, just by being in the same room with them. ….No speak, just aura. It was as if her mysterious dark eyes could see into their soul.
Many times, others would tell her of the transformation as soon as she came into their site. It could not be explained except to say there are some who are of influence and there are some who are not. She wanted to put this gift to good use. Not quite sure, how to do that, she pondered different avenues. Should she advertise her gift and have people come from around the world just to help them make right decisions in their lives.
No, who would believe it? However, there had to be a subtle way of unleashing the voices in her head that cajoled her to do something, anything with this special characteristic born to her.
Growing up, everyone wanted to be around her, so much so that she craved being alone. She moved to a small desert town on the outskirts of Las Vegas, where she became hardly noticeable, except for the candle shop that she owned and operated alone. She had a great mind for business and while most people thought it an odd place for a shop, a place with very little traffic, if any on some days, she knew it would be a success. The demographics were all wrong, but if she could have them come even once, she knew they would be back again and again.
A billboard on the strip of glitz and glamour simply read…
Follow map for scented candles that will change your life.....all uniquely dipped by Desiree.
Her eyes were drawn in all their mystery as her signature at the end of her words with a small map showing her location.
Desiree concocted her scents with special oils and gave them names like, Destiny, Fortune, Romance and Serendipity. Each had its own uniqueness. Some even more so……certain ones of the little pots of melted wax would be different.
Desiree, with head titled back and arms open wide, took in a breathe that heaved her chest high. Her whispering chant was eerie and full of purpose…..
"Give of my gift to those in need and share with them my specialty."
As she let out a whoosh of breath over the distinguished pots, the wax began to swirl. The colors vibrant and now filled with her spirit. Life changing candles as she promised in her advertisement. These candles had very different names, but not ones that her client would see.
~~~~~~~~~~
Tires hitting the gravel road alerted Desiree that soon a life would be changed. The door chimed and in walked an unsuspecting customer. It was a couple, mid-forties…husband and wife, she thought.
She smiled and welcomed them to peruse the many candles that aligned the shelves. The woman smiled and sniffed candle by candle. She had a serene calmness about her, which Desiree appreciated. He, on the other hand, kept checking his watch with the anxiety of someone wanting to be somewhere else.
Oh, look Jack! Isn’t this a beautiful color…..and the aroma is breathtaking.” As she lifted it to his nose, she noticed his name ‘Jack’ on the backside of it. She giggled.
“Look Jack, it was made just for you!” She smiled at him with eyes of love. But, he looked at her with noticeable contempt. The woman’s eyes lowered to the floor as if she wanted to disappear and take her embarrassment with her. Desiree met her glance and tried to comfort her with an understanding smile.
It was evident this was not a happy couple. Hard for Desiree to watch this emotionally mismatched pair, she stepped in to push the sale of that candle.
She looked up at the man with all of her beauty and those eyes. He became a blubbering idiot, trying to impress her. Nevertheless, she wasn’t impressed. The wife looking at Desiree with saddened eyes as she watched her husband fawn all over her, walked to the other side of the shop, still holding the same candle. The one with his name on it.
Desiree excused herself and followed her. She whispered into the woman’s ear....
“This candle will change your life, read the directions behind the label before lighting it.”
A curious George wondered, but too proud to care about what was said, barked to his wife instead.
“Mary, I think we’d better be on our way,”
He handed Desiree the twenty dollars for the candle. Desiree wrapped it in tissue and placed it in a small bag. As she handed it to the Mary, she patted her hand.
“Thank you,” she said. “You will be very happy with this candle...I assure you.”
~~~~~~~~~~
The couple retired to their suite. George paying little attention to Mary opened his laptop and began to work. Mary didn’t really expect much, she knew she had only been taken along because she insisted. It was a business trip after all.
Trying to make the best of it, she dressed in a blue satin nightie and robe. She called his name, softly. Glancing in her direction, he laughed.
“You’ll have to lose twenty pounds to look good in that!” Her heart was broken.
Turning her attention to the candle, Desiree’s words came to her. The directions read……
~ If you are looking for his undying love and attention forever more….and that his need will be to have you and you alone for the rest of his life……then light this candle and he will be yours always ~
She struck the match and lit the wick.... The aroma swirled around him. He looked at her like never before….She could see in his eyes that he had to have her. He reached for her…..as she walked passed him with a sly grin on her way to the door.
“Goodbye, Jack.”
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