When you just have to have it NOW
Got a call at six a.m. this morning, sheesh. The lady on the other end of the phone found one of my brochures tucked into the newspaper rack at the Grand Ave Starbucks. I've never been to that particular location, so it must be the Avon Fairy! I thought of asking her to smell for telltale tamale prints, but she didn't leave me room to talk.
"Hello! Is this Birdie?"
I started to say Yes, but she interjected.
"This says brochure good till yesterday but I need something right away! Is it too late to place an order?"
Her voice was gravelly and thin, like a two-pack-a-day smoker after forty years, and I estimated her age to be sixty.
"No, it's OK, I don't put my order in until Monday so you can place an order if you like." As I talked, I jumped out of bed and grabbed my grandmother's robe. Ever since she died two years ago, I wear it every morning and night, and the thin terry material is worn and frayed.
She said her name is Mel-short-for-Melody, and she ordered one hand lotion, the Moisture Rich in the smallest tube size. I make sixty cents on this product.
Today I open the box of Campaign 10 books and stamp them with my name and telephone number. Think of me today, stamping brochures and chasing kids, taking orders from the late and dry skin desperate.
7:30:40 AM 
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