T he stale smell of fresh paint still lingered in the house though we’d moved almost five weeks before. I put out my arm and let my hands brush against the glossy walls. I wanted to paint it gray. Wanted the whole house in gray scale like stepping into a black-and-white photograph.
“Did someone vacuum the life out?” Rafi had asked when I showed him the swatches. “It’s sophisticated and modern for an office but really I can hear our kids in therapy as adults: ‘My mother painted the house in gray tones.’ ” I laughed it was funny and true. It looked so sleek though so that’s what I painted my workshop — no warm tones of happiness and sunshine just the sleek elegance of cool metals.
My next client was arriving in ten minutes I had to set up.
There was always coffee and tea fresh fruit and muffins at my meetings. People are willing to pay more when you treat them well. And those who come to a high-end jeweler expect certain services. I didn’t mind I got to expense my muffin and coffee habit.
