“It wasn’t perfect, but it helped,” I concede. “For a while, at least.”
I think of one of my favorite mantras. I have it on a Post-it note on my bathroom mirror.Progress, not perfection.It’sironic that it’s my favorite, because usually, it’s perfection I’m chasing.
“That was when I knew I wanted to be an interior designer. I realized how important people’s homes were. I wanted to create something beautiful and functional for them.” Sadie turns to face me. “Emma, now that I’ve graduated, I’ve been thinking about something. An idea. Do you remember Dream Space?”
“Dream Space?” My breath catches. “I forgot all about that! Our business idea. I would organize people’s houses, and you would focus on the design. We even came up with a name.” I frown. “But we were just kids.”
“We can make it real, Emma. We can combine interior design and professional home organization. It’s the perfect time for a change for both of us. Your job as an assistant was always meant to be temporary, not your long-term career. You stayed for the money. But I’m finally graduating, and you got your business degree years ago. You deserve to do something you love with your life. You were born to be an organizer. For example, what do you do when you’re stressed?”
“I reorganize my bookshelves,” I say immediately.
“And what do you do when you’re sad?”
“I don’t get sad.”
She snorts again.
“But if I have a slightly down day, I color coordinate my closet,” I say with a happy sigh, just thinking about how pretty all my clothes look in a rainbow of hues. Actually, I don’t have that much color in my closet, but my blacks, navy blues, and whites look amazing together, with my skirts all hanging in a neat row. The shoes lined up by color and style.
“Exactly! And when you’re bored, you…”
“Reorder the pantry and spices,” we say together. I’m thankful she doesn’t mention the fact that I rarely cook, so I buyspices mostly because I like to see them all in a lovely row in special labeled jars on the rack.
Sadie’s eyes are shining. “It makes you happy to take things that are out of order and fix them, whether it’s items or schedules. I’m talking about reclaiming your wants, needs, desires, yourpurpose.”
“You’ve been listening to manifestation podcasts again, haven’t you?” I tease.
“Always.”
“Would you really want your own business? And to work with me? I thought you’d want to work for a design firm after graduating.”
“Are you kidding? It would be so much fun! And don’t look at me that way. I know it would be hard, but it would also be incredible.”
While I worry about managing the practical matters in life, helping Sadie through college, giving her a place to stay during her breaks, she worries that I work too hard. That I don’t allow enough time for joy. That I need to get laid more.
Lately, I very much fear she’s right.
I’ve put all my focus on getting Sadie through college. And now here she is, about to graduate. Even Sebastian is growing, changing. He’s finally settling down, dating Allegra.
And then there’s me. Stuck in the same routine. I’m not even the main act in my life. I spend all my time working, playing the part of a side character in someone else’s show.
My fingers are drumming on my leg restlessly.
“Are you itching to make a pro-and-con list?”
I laugh. “Maybe. But I have to admit, I had a similar thought recently. It’s based on something Evie Adelade said at Ryder and Daisy’s engagement party. Daisy told Evie about how I helped her organize her fashion studio. I created an inventory systemfor everything—her designs, the fabric, even all the little beads and buttons,” I say with a dreamy smile.
“What, like a spreadsheet for buttons?”
“Exactly like that. It was so fun! Anyway, Evie said she had a few friends who could use my skills if I ever took clients. She gave me their names.”
“This is what I’m talking about, Emma. It’s wild that you even know superstars like Evie Adelade and Ryder. Evie’s a pop goddess. Ryder is the biggest rock star on the planet. And Daisy’s the ultimate cool-girl fashion designer. You have wicked contacts and a business degree you aren’t using. This could really work,” she says with her characteristic enthusiasm. “When I come back from my summer internship, we could launch a business together. I’m serious.”
This is so typical of my sister, imagining we could make it happen, just like that.
But despite my caution, I can’t keep the wheels in my brain from turning.Dream Space.I could focus on my favorite parts of a job. I could organize a client’s home or business. Build systems. And Sadie could create something as beautiful as it is functional. It sounds challenging, but in the best way possible.
It would also be fun to work with my sister. She drives me crazy sometimes, but our strengths complement each other.
