My next visit on this same day was with Ms. Melon aka ‘Unmarried Counselor’. If you don’t need a dedicated full time physical office, but still want to establish a highly professional business presence. A Premier Virtual Office could be the right solution for you. Said the sign on the front door.
The inside was a large waiting area. Diverse with receptionist’s manning phones. “Mrs. Jillie please follow me to suite 110. My name is Jennifer.” Jennifer knocked on the door. And we both heard a voice yell. “Be there in a minute!” Jennifer nodded at me and walked away. Much later than a minute a voice shouted, “Come in.”
The unmarried Counselor had an economy size office inside the King size building. “Hello. Yes I am Ms. Melon and I need to finish this call.” She raised her first finger on her right hand to her lips. Whoever she was talking to was doing all the listening because Ms. Melon was upset and compaining about the receptionists.
She scared me a little. She was very forward and aggressive in her tone and movements. She started to complain louder about the receptionist and I noticed her dull, widly, curly hair was coming undone from its Bun. She had on a blouse that reminded me of an artist smock-filled with every color in the rainbow in small blocks all over the fabric. Her long navy-blue Maxi skirt with slits grazed the top of the Orange Crocs on her feet.
She waved at me to take the chair. A folding metal chair. Her office so tiny I didn’t want to scoot my chair back far for fear of hitting the wall. She finally settled down and got off the phone. She picked up a file. “Jillie Aldridge.” That’s you correct.” “Yes. You were referred to me from Don the leader of the Divorce Recovery group at the Union Gospel Church.”
“What is your story, Jillie?” Blunt and to the point. Okay. I went ahead with the same story I had told the drug counselor and that I wanted to keep my house.
Ms. Melon said that I was a strong woman who positively radiates energy. (Wow! We had known each other now all of maybe six minutes?) She continued, “Bet you can quess my answer, even in the short time we’ve been acquainted.” “Guess your answer?” I shrugged.
Ms. Melon thought about this for a moment, screwing up her face. “Well dear, be prepare to lose your house in foreclosure or bankruptcy.”
“NO.” I slowly shook my head. I already did not like her. She was too scattered and she obiously didn’t hear a word I said. “Well yes, I am sure your house is under water like everyone else in this great depression?” “As I said, No, actually I have equity.” “You do?” Ms. Melon narrowed her eyes at me.
“Yes,!” I said with enthusiasm. “We bought it 15 years ago and have acreag and in 2006 it was worth a lot of money. I know the value has gone down with the great recession, but I cannot lose it. It is the only retirement I have.”
“Well, you will. So just start to get used to the idea.” She said dismissively. In as calm a voice as possible, I answered, “Why does everyone say that to me.”