Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: FINISH (05/26/16)
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TITLE: Perfect Patina | Previous Challenge Entry
By Holly Westefeld
06/02/16 -
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the porch swing occasionally, fingers interlaced.
"Ron, now that we've completed the restoration, let's start
looking for the antiques for the finishing touch."
Ron grinned. "So soon? If we wait another eighty years, the old
stuff we have now will be antiques."
Joan elbowed him. "Tomorrow, bright and early."
"And I suppose you already know where you want to start
shopping?"
Standing, Joan dashed inside, returning with her tablet. With a
few taps, she displayed a web page with crisp photos of ornate
furniture with the banner "Timeless Treasures." "There are
several antique stores within a few blocks of this one, but they
don't all have websites."
Ron tapped several of the images for a closer look. "The
photo-finish is nice, though they aren't really providing
background on the pieces. We will want to take notes as we
browse, before making any decisions."
"Hmmph. If you think you're being subtle about reminding me not
to be impulsive, you bombed."
Ron chuckled, stood, and stretched. "If I'm going to be ready
for a shopping marathon tomorrow, I'm turning in early."
*****
Ron sniffed, then wrinkled his nose as they entered Timeless
Treasures, morning sun glinting on the pieces closer to the front
window. "Good morning. I'm Wallace. Are you looking for
something particular?"
Joan rattled through her wish list, as Ron examined a
marble-topped commode. He did not miss the flicker of dollar
signs in Wallace's green eyes as he led her to a buffet adorned
with vines and flowers. Ron ran his finger over the beveled edge
of the marble, finding it very smooth, even at the back. One
glance down at the perfectly squared feet and he shook his head
and stepped over beside Joan.
"Look at this carving, Ron! Isn't it exquisite?"
"It is. Perfectly symmetrical. Perfect finish." Ron narrowed
his eyes. "How old is this piece?"
"That's always hard to pin down exactly... Turn of the century,
give or take a decade."
Ron slid out one of the drawers, turned it over, and murmured in
Joan's ear, "Turn of which century?"
Wallace reached for the drawer. "Please, sir, my pieces are in
pristine condition. You wouldn't want to scratch that." With
exaggerated caution, he replaced the drawer in it slot.
Ron attempted to guide Joan toward the door, but a set of brass
candlesticks in the window display caught her attention.
"Wouldn't these look lovely on the fireplace?"
Ron picked one up, garnering a glare from Wallace, which nearly
turned to apoplexy when he rubbed it with his shirttail.
"Please, sir,..."
Ron held it up in triumph, a patch of aluminum shining in the
sun. "A faked patina if I ever saw one!"
Wallace turned scarlet. "That dealer cheated me!"
"Really?" Ron lifted a clay pitcher to the sun, then showed Joan
where its glow was visible through the painted wax filling a
sizable crack. "And I suppose this came from the same crooked
dealer?"
"I ... I..."
"I guess you haven't been here long, or your reputation for
insincerity would have gotten around. I doubt if there is an
authentic antique in the shop."
Joan nudged Ron. "Wallace, you have some lovely, well-made items
here. If you would just be honest about them being replicas, and
lower the prices accordingly, you may do just fine. Now, can I
tell you about the one who will transform you in to a timeless
treasure, not just a perfect patina?"
*****
?1 Samuel 16:7B "...The LORD does not look at the things man
looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD
looks at the heart." NIV
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