Life takes some funny twists and turns…
Makenzie had just gotten home for a tedious day at working, dealing with idiotic people. Answering the phones and politely telling people they either need to reboot or be transfered to the technical department. This wasn’t where her life was supposed to be. She had a degree, she suffered through five years of college to achieve.
She set her black messenger bag on the kitchen chair and gave her calico cat a stroke on the back. Mindlessly, she wandered to the fridge and pulled out a Michelob Ultra and popped the top. Not bothering to throw the cap out she set it on the counter and continued to walk through her updated condo. She stared out the front window, watching the leaves blow. Her cat rubbed against her legs and followed her to the front door. She unlocked it and reached into her small mailbox. There was a white envelope sticking out, because it was too big to fit in all the way. Makenzie extracted it and looked down at it curiously. Noting the return address from Peerless, she turned it over. Printed on the envelope, in bright red letters are the words “You May Have Already Won”.
She walked back into her condo and set the rest of the mail on her kitchen counter. She took the white envelope to the couch and sat down. Laying the envelope on the end table she switched on the news. Unable to fight the temptation any more she picked up the envelope and tore it open. This lousy day should have a happy ending, she thought to herself. She pulled out a packet of information that was addressed to her. She read the cover letter three times before she expeled a breath and her heart pounded in her chest. Makenzie never dreamed that this moment would actually come, that she could actually win a contest. Much less a contest she had entered 6 months ago. It had completely slipped her mind. Scaring the cat, she jumped up from the couch and frantically emptied her purse looking for her phone. Finding it she hit the speed dial and listened impatiently to the ringing.
After about six a female voice picked up the other end, “hello?”
“did you get your mail today?” Makenzie screeched into the phone.
“Not yet I just walked in the door, what’s going on Kenz?”
Makenzie could picture her best friend Madalyn walking through her house, oblivious to what the mailbox held. “Just go get your mail and call me back.” She disconnected the line and had faith that Madalyn would do as she asked without calling her back. They had known each other long enough that she wouldn’t ask her do something out of the blue unless it was important.
Not even five minutes later, Makenzie’s cell phone rang. She took her thumb out her mouth and was glad she didn’t have to continue to bite her nails waiting.
“Are you kidding me? When did you enter us in this?” Madalyn screamed into the phone.
“Like six months ago!” Makenzie screeched again and cleared her throat. “I can’t believe we won the writing contest, the letter said over 2,000 people entered!”
“I can’t either! And we get a book deal!” Madalyn couldn’t catch her breath. “Is this really legit?”
“Yes! I researched this company before I even submitted our manuscript.” Makenzie plopped down on her couch exhausted from the excitement and continued to talk to Madalyn about what this would mean for them.
