Accept This Dandelion by Brooke Williams

happening.
    “Hey, Chuck,” a feisty female voice rang over the line. Her voice sounded like it came from a tunnel. She must be driving. “I wanted to call and tell Renee how awesome she did. I mean, all of the other girls were the same. Renee put some spice into it and really stood out. I think if Ben knows what’s best for him, he’ll choose you next week and leave the rest behind.”
    Renee’s eyebrows rose. “Thank you.” She was surprised. Renee expected everyone to mock her, and she was glad the first response was positive.
    “Thanks for calling.” Chuck quickly changed callers. “KGBR, you’re on with Chuck and Renee.”
    “Morning, Chuck. Hey there, Renee.” A deep male voice rang through the headsets in the studio. Chuck tilted his head as the man continued. “I want to tell the woman who just called she’s all wrong.” Renee took a deep breath. Here it came. “Renee, you don’t belong with Ben…you should be with me.”
    Renee opened her mouth in surprise and let out a nervous laugh as Chuck threw his head back. “Leave your number at our front office,” Chuck said. “We’ll keep a running list, and Renee can have her own dating show if things don’t work out with Ben.”
    “Oh, no. No.” Renee threw her hands in the air. “Chuck, you don’t understand. I don’t need a whole list. I just need one.” Renee giggled and tried to put on a flirtatious air. “Sir, what did you say your name was?”
    Chuck laughed again as he disconnected the call. “Not so fast there, little lady. You have a show to do. First you let Ben McConnell dump you. Then you can troll for men.”
    “And what makes you think Mr. McConnell is going to ditch me?” Renee’s confidence grew. She was starting to enjoy herself. She would be good at the morning show gig.
    “Ah, good point.” Chuck started the next song behind their voices. “Very good point. We’ll have more with Renee Lockhart about her experiences on Accept This Dandelion , but first another song to get your morning rolling.” Chuck slid the microphone faders down and turned them off as he yanked his headphones from his ears and placed them around his neck. Renee took hers off and laid them on the counter in front of her.
    “You’re really good at this,” Chuck said. “A natural.”
    Renee smiled. “I’ve been in radio for several years now,” she said sarcastically. Chuck was the type of person who appreciated someone who didn’t take any flak from people, both on and off the air. The two of them would fit as a team because she knew how to give and take.
    “Indeed.” He shuffled some papers around. “You keep this up, I might put in a word for you with the higher powers.” Chuck winked.
    Renee shifted in her seat. The comment excited her. Having Chuck’s support for the open morning position would be huge. With a heightened public profile from the TV slot and Chuck on her side, she almost couldn’t lose. The job would be hers for the taking.
    When Renee left the studio two hours later, she walked on clouds. The rest of the morning went better than the beginning. She had dozens of supporters and only one crank call marriage proposal. That one sounded like a teenage boy who probably had too much time on his hands. The rest of the callers were genuine and enjoyed her on TV. They supported her efforts to find love. They laughed along with her, but no one teased her, and Renee’s appearance on TV had already made her public image soar. She endeared herself to the listeners instead of drawing ridicule as she’d feared.
    Now Renee had to get through the day and return to the TV studio to continue her journey with Ben and the rest of the ladies. After the first taping, she dreaded going back and making a fool of herself again. But now she realized her TV character was bringing positive feedback. She could go on.
    It didn’t matter what happened with Ben. He probably didn’t care about any of the women beyond their appearances and long