Smile with a side of sunshine

I tucked my hair behind a headband and sprayed down the fly aways that wouldn't be ignored. I curled my eyelashes, straightened my skirt, brushed a few stray hairs off my shirt and smiled at myself in the mirror.

"Hello." I said. "Helllllllooooo."

This was an important meeting and I was nervous. I knew I looked nice, and I knew I'd do well. But still.

Driving to the appointment, I concentrated on the news being spewed by the radio, the store fronts along the avenue, doors opening and closing with shoppers wandering in and out. I caught a glimpse of myself in the rearview -- one eyebrow hair decided to go rogue. I smoothed it slowly back in line with the others. This was not the time for individuality, I reminded it.

Once I found a parking space, I popped out of the driver's side, quarter in hand. I figured that would buy me the time needed for my meeting. I slid the silver coin into the meter's slot and started clicking my heels on the cement up the hill to the building where I needed to be. The sun was blazing, and there was only a slight chill in the air.

"You like nice," a voice said behind me. "Nice skirt."

I turned around, surprised, and smiled at the meter reader. "Thank you."

"Just passing on the good karma, hoping it comes back to me," she said.

We walked along a bit together without saying anything.

"Well, I better cross here. And hope I don't get hit," she said, as she started to jaywalk.

"Good luck with that."

"Thanks."

Having forgotten I was nervous for my meeting, I entered the office wearing a big smile. I shook hands with the man I was meeting and introduced myself.

"Nice day you ordered," he said.

"It was the least I could do," I said. "Isn't it just the most beautiful day?"

"Every day."

I agreed.