Cassidy Dane is adventurous, outgoing, and (lucky for me) my best friend. What I lack in social skills my friend Cassie makes up for a million times over. I, in turn, provide the level head of our duo. I’m more of a thinker, I guess, writing down the pros and cons before jumping in. Our natural balance has taken a friendship that began in college to our suburban housewife thirties. Over the years we have shared everything: fabulous shoes, tropical vacations, and most recently, a daring new business.

“We have to do it,” said Cassie that day last May. “The wives of the world need our help. Everyone will hire us!” Cassie’s passion was infectious. We’d been searching for an opportunity to start our own business for months. I wanted to be excited too, but this one just didn’t make sense.

“Who’s going to hire us to buy presents for them, Cassie? People can order from the internet if they’re too lazy to get to the mall.”

“Husbands, silly.”

“I thought we were helping the wives?”

“Exactly!” She said pointing at me. Cassie spoke with her body as much as her voice when she was on a roll. “We’ll help the wives of this city by being personal shoppers for their husbands. They’ll never get a crappy gift again – guaranteed!”

I was intrigued, but it still sounded far-fetched. I grabbed a pad of paper and started to take notes. “How can we guarantee that?”

“We interview the husband thoroughly,” she said rubbing her hands together. “He fills out a questionnaire, we review it with him, and then we go buy something ideal. Happy wife – see?”

I raised my eyebrow, pondering it. My husband got me a vacuum for my birthday last year. Cassie was starting to make sense. Still. “What kind of questions?”

Cassie beamed, knowing she’d snagged me. “First, what’s her favorite color? Next, what’s her favorite store? Then hair color, eye color, height, weight, that sort of thing.”

“Okay,” I said writing it all down, “then what?” I had to admit, I was getting to like this crazy idea.

“Then we lead him in the right direction. Like this: ‘What was the last romantic thing you did for your wife? Do you see your wife as just a mother to your children or do you still value her as a woman? How much do you really appreciate what she does for you and the kids on a daily basis?’ ” Cassie smiled triumphantly, waiting for me to finish writing.

“Perfect,” I said looking up at her.

“Really? We should do it?”

“We’ll do it,” I said. “On one condition: No appliances.”

We put an ad in the newspaper the next day: “Do you hate the anxiety of finding the perfect gift for your wife? Does she ask for the receipt instead of saying “Thank you” when she opens the box? If you are tired of getting it wrong, call PERFECT PRESENTS! Get your wife a great gift– guaranteed!”

We used Cassie’s cell phone for our business number. She is so much better with people than me. After a week of hoping, we got our first client. We met him at his office for the interview and then went straight to the mall.

“Ooooh, its perfect,” said Cassie. She was standing in Macy’s holding up a pink argyle sweater. I checked Mr. Langdon’s profile sheet and shook my head.
“No pink. Mrs. Langdon hates pink.”

“Too bad,” she said holding it up to her body. “It really cute.” Cassie draped it over her arm and we continued to shop.

It went on like that for the next hour. By the time we were done we had a wonderful gift for Mrs. Langdon and Cassie had a new wardrobe.


We got a thank you card from Mr. Langdon a week later. His wife loved the black patent leather handbag. Other men responded to our ad too and we found ourselves so busy we stopped advertising at all.

We get mostly referrals now, usually friends of our client’s wives begging their husbands to call us too. Cassie was right. Everyone wants to hire us. Over time I have tamed Cassie’s personal shopping sprees a little and she has taught me the joy of an impulse buy. It’s a perfect match.

Recently we celebrated our sixth month in business. My husband is very proud of me. He gave me a special “congratulations” gift last night: a beautiful silver and jade pen with my initials engraved on it. It was perfect. He’s not only my husband these days--he’s a client too!

  About the Author: Windy Lynn Harris

Through her short stories and essays, Windy Lynn Harris shares her honest and hilarious struggle for sanity in the modern world. Her work has appeared in Cynic Magazine, Mom Writers Literary Magazine, and Raising Arizona Kids Magazine, among others. She is currently finishing her first novel while her big lazy dog keeps her feet warm.