HOW IT STARTS

He and Ann had just moved to Sumter with the Air Force. They met in Thailand, at Korat Air Base, where Ann is a local hire who worked for the Air Force, in Maintenance Data Processing. She is not a typical local national. Ann is taller and her figure is fuller than the average Thai. She has the same raven hair and light brown eyes, full lips and long, tapered legs. Her work with the U.S. military began as a house girl, but she wanted more and took advanced education so that she could get a better job. Sam is a Tech Sergeant in a Special Ops group. He is taller than Ann and is well muscled from years of covert operations around the world. He has most of the military schools under his belt, in languages, martial arts and international affairs.

They have been married for just four years and didn't have children yet, so are pretty free to live a little. Ann opens her own salon. Sam decides to get out of the Air Force and pursue a different line of work. They have put away enough to sustain them for a couple of years, while he lets the GI bill send him through college.

Sam, at 27, becomes a freshman at the University of South Carolina. He does well and with credits for his service and several DANTES exams, he earns his Business Management degree in just short of eighteen months.

"Mr. Elliott, I am amazed at your accomplishment. I've never had the pleasure of graduating anyone in so short a time." The Dean of the Business College says.

"Sir, I had something that I needed to do. I've found that when you have something to do; just do it. I find that many young people, taking the courses, spend too much time daydreaming."

Sam accepts his diploma and walks out to find a place to use his new degree. Everyone in Sumter that has a position for a manager also has a nephew, cousin, or children that they're holding the jobs for. Not that they're holding the job until their relative achieves a degree or on the job knowledge, just until they get old enough and arrogant enough to think they deserve it, without putting in the time.

Sam does find a job. Ann hires him to manage her salon. He sets up the files and hires an accountant to block all the government butt heads who try to intimidate new businesses into paying for nothing. It works. Sam fields several calls and letters with threats to audit the salon. He tells them that he would welcome an audit, but they must call his accountant to set up an appointment because he keeps no records at the salon.

"Mr. Lauder, I had a call from the SC Division for Taxation two days ago and referred them to you. Anything I should do?"

"Mr. Elliott, they won't call. They're just trying to spook you because you're a new business. Just keep referring them to me. They'll stop in a bit."

"It sounds like they're wasting taxpayer money with their games."

"They are, but it's best to just let them peter out." That's how their early days worked out.

Ann is working six days a week from 8 AM to 8 PM most of the time. The money is good and they end up raising prices to keep some people away, but it is beginning to wear on Ann. The help she has, from new cosmetologists, just isn't keeping up with the work. Sam finally tells her to close the shop on Sunday and Monday and only work half a day on Saturday. They then have some time for themselves.

They like to drive to Charleston to look around and shop. Ann is enthralled with the stories of Fort Sumter and the ghost tour of King Street and the College of Charleston, where several Civil War movies have been filmed. Sam is always happy to see the happiness on her face. It is his greatest pleasure.

Cherokee, North Carolina is an often visited place. Here Ann is treated to stories of the Cherokee Nation and the Trail of Tears museum. The outdoor pageant is very well done and educational. Ann loves to shop the Native American shops for handcrafted jewelry and they also pick up a couple of blankets. Authentic Indian blankets, made in Japan, must be those Japanese Indians.

Sam and Ann also spend time dining out where ever they went. At home they frequent Red Lobster, Ruby Tuesday, Appleby's and the Backyard Barbecue. Life is being good to them and they are enjoying all that they can.

Ann's salon is doing very well, but keeping qualified, dedicated operators is a real problem. She pays well, compared to most of the salons in town, but her employees, barely adult sized, are ill prepared to work the time required to build a clientele. They expect to earn in their first weeks, the same money that it took Ann and others months to achieve. Then her first real break comes following the abrupt departure of her latest two operators.

God must have been smiling on her, for on that day, through the door walks, Jessica Lea Wells and Rebecca Sue McGee, looking for work and a place for their modest clientele.

"Hi, I'm Jessica Wells, Jessie. Do you need any operators? Rebecca and I, Oh, this is Rebecca McGee. We've worked together and find ourselves in need of a job at the same time."

"Hi. Jessie is right about that. I'm Becca, I hope you can use one or both of us. We have a modest following and need a place to build our futures."

Ann is overwhelmed with joy and the thought that God had a hand in this; she hugs each of them in turn.

"Yes, yes to both of you. When can you start? I'm sorry for being so forward, but I was about to give up. Everyone who has worked here, so far, has been under twenty and without a work ethic. I was at my wits end, then yesterday, Missy and Courtney quit after three weeks. Now here you are and the first thing you say is you want to build a future. I think I love you." Ann almost sobs the last.

"Wow! I've never been welcomed so openly before. I hope we can start soon. We're not going anywhere else. Becca and I fell in love with the location almost immediately. Becca and I are both 25 and like she said, we do have a modest following. Let us know the rules and if there are days we're not allowed to work and we'll be here with bells on." Jessie says.

"Yes, thank you. When can we start? We're ready." Becca confirms.

"You can start today if you want. I'll get Sam to get you some papers for the accountant. I'm a little overcome. It's like God provided before I asked."

"Well, we have our carts and stuff in our cars and I can have a couple of my clients in this afternoon." Jessie offers.

"I have a perm for today and thought I would have to cancel, but I'll call and give her the address." Becca says.

"I love it. You're both hired." Ann smiles and gets two handbooks from the appointment desk for them and gets hugs from both of them...