Helen E Weeks

Peace Island Helen E Weeks

She was directing the fitting of several costumes for a play, the actor and two actresses turning and bending as the seamstresses pinned and tucked until the smooth movement and flow of the costumes were pronounced perfect. Andrew had come in unnoticed and stood watching Amanda work with the group with warm kindness and yet total professionalism. He had come by her shop many times in the past few weeks to take her to lunch or for coffee, and they had become very good friends. He had a profound respect for her quiet professionalism that combined kindness and yet firm resolve to adhere to the production standards. She was very good at what she did and he could understand why her costumes were in such high demand. She had an instinctive feel for the fit and the continuity of style of the actors whoplayed each part. Andrew was shocked several times when he came into the shop and discovered that some of her clients' plays were being backed by members of a population not favored by law enforcement, and some who came from as far away as New York. One of those from New York was a wealthy financier whose reputation was well known in the drug trade, although it was never proven. His reputation with women was also known to be questionable, and his eyes roamed over Amanda in a way that made Andrew anything but pleased. When his heavy handed advances were coldly rebuffed he never returned. And then there was one gentleman who made Andrew extremely nervous, but Amanda was not concerned. "Do you know who that man is?" he asked her once. "Actually I do, Andrew, but he is backing one of my clients' plays." She giggled at the expression on his face. "He's always very polite and respectful." "And if one of his competitors starts shooting while he's in your shop?" "I guess I'll just have to learn how to duck."