W: The Planner, The Chosen by Alexandra Swann, Joyce Swann Page A

and with Kris he practiced a form of reverse favoritism which led him to criticize her every mistake in front of the other agents while never acknowledging any of her efforts or success. Jim found her natural assertiveness obnoxious and told her that she would never have a man in her life as long as she continued to be overly aggressive—even though that aggressive nature helped her move more houses in three months than any of his other salespeople. As a young salesperson, Kris  had her own ideas about how to deal with customers, but Jim was convinced that his methods were best, and the two of them clashed frequently until, after three months, Kris walked into his office, handed him the keys to all the houses she had been showing, and walked out without a word. The next day she applied as an agent with a respected Scottsdale real estate firm and was hired, eventually becoming their top producer before leaving to start her own firm. Her first week on her new job she met a handsome, charismatic young loan originator named Ben Stafford. Kris’ top priority in her new job had been to get her first paycheck and rent her own apartment—as it turned out she did not even have time; within three weeks she and Ben had moved in together, and she had started a new life with Ben that would last for the next seventeen years.
    Putting professional distance between Jim and her had improved their relationship quite a bit over the years.  Underneath it all, though, they never resolved their basic issues—Jim always thought she was obnoxious and overbearing, and Kris always found her father hopelessly stubborn and lost in the past.
    The Cadillac was now parked in the Mitchells’ semi-circular stone driveway lined with blooming oleander. The bright green plants with their red, pink and white flowers thrive in the desert without much water, and the Mitchells had specifically chosen plants that could survive in the unforgiving Arizona heat.  Spanish broom was blooming with bright sunshine yellow flowers on either side of the walk leading up to the double wooden doors with long oval glass insets. Kris rang the bell and waited for what seemed like a long time.
    “Hi!” Janine’s eyes lit up with happiness as she opened the door. “I didn’t know you were coming.” She gave Kris a hug, and Kris kissed her cheek before entering the foyer. An arrangement of fresh lilies decorated a round marble table in the entry way.
    “I had some time this weekend, and I just wanted to come out here to see you.”
    “You look so beautiful, Kris.  How is everything?” her mother was always complimentary.
    “Thank you; everything is good.  I got a new job…”
    “That’s great!” Janine knew that Kris had been searching for a job for the last two years and that she had sent out hundreds of resumes. “Where are you working?”
    “I got a federal job, actually. The pay is really good and the benefits are great. I am a Level I Planner for a new senior residential development program that the government is doing.  I am responsible for recruitment and for acting as a liaison to resolve any problems that the new residents have with the community.”
    “That sounds like something you are perfect for.  When do you start?”
    “We have been doing orientation and training for three weeks. We actually start the first of our town hall meetings this week to introduce the concept to seniors. It is very interesting, actually; potential residents are invited to an orientation, and then we go over the process and the program and sign them up.”
    “That is interesting. Your dad got a letter from Social Security this week telling us that there are going to be changes to the Social Security System and that we need to attend a meeting hosted by the Federal Municipal Planning Division to apprise us of the changes. He and I were just discussing this morning whether we need to actually go.”
    “Well you don’t,” Kris smiled. “The meeting’s come to you.