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Fiction Short Story

by Judy Cabito

Ambition

Dahlia didn't stay around at the barb wire convention as long as Alicia and the other reps; they wouldn't miss Dahlia for hours. Angus Longhorn, owner of the largest manufacturer of barbwire, called. That's all Dahlia needed; a summons from the man, and she fled.

With blind arrogance, she drove her convertible Mustang above the speed limit down the highway. She'd be with Angus in two hours and all her hard work would be rewarded. She had pulled in the last dozen accounts like calves at slaughter. She was good, better than the other reps. She knew all the tricks and finally Angus noticed.

Last week she had worked the office party like a wrangler: smiling, laughing at all the dirty jokes, mixing and delivering drinks to all the cowboys whom counted. She roped three of the biggest stallions on Wall Street that evening alone. Her wild spirits soared so she let Angus cop a feel, maybe once, maybe twice.

She corralled Alicia and told her to find her own pasture saying, "It would be ambitious of you to think there was room for both of us."

Dahlia had stayed on to clean up and of course to give Angus a Dahlia-fix.

He said, "You'll go a long way, here, baby."

She laughed coyly, as she rode him like a prize bull. She knew how to lasso them, brand them and make them hers. He'd not forget her.

When the message arrived, "Mr. Angus Longhorn would like to see you in his office this morning, first thing," she busted out of the convention leaving all the potential studs behind. She didn't look back as she sped out of the parking lot.

She raced down the corridor to Angus's office like a roughrider spinning and twisting. The note on the locked door stopped her short, threw her to the ground and tethered her enthusiasm.

"Dahlia, sweetheart, you left the barn door open and everything behind. By the time you read this, all of the accounts will be eating sugar lumps out of my hand—including Angus.

Happy Trails to you, Alicia."


About the Author
Judy Cabito was born in Salem, Oregon, grew up just steps from the Puget Sound and currently lives in Long Beach, California. She calls herself a Westcoaster, if there is such a thing. She has been published in several fine online and print publications.