The OC Furniture Restoration

Acres of lush, manicured lawns came into view as the white wrought iron gates opened. The long winding road was lined with houses - mansions - that rivaled that of the queen's. I took a deep breath; inhaling the sweet, salty air that caused an unwarranted feeling of nausea. The car came to a full stop and the door almost automatically opened. I was greeted by Kirsten's sickeningly sweet smile - welcome to Orange County, welcome home!

Everything about her person screamed superficial, much like this new place I am being forced to call home. Dad made a big mistake in moving in with Kirsten into this ridiculously extravagant house in this high-profile gated community. An even bigger mistake on his part was forcing me to tag along. I do not belong here but Dad remained oblivious of this fact. He was Stepford Husband in an instant, fitting right into the puzzle that was Kirsten's alarmingly perfect household - my version of Amityville Horror.

We were toured around the place. Dad, being clueless about Culture and the Arts, marveled at Kirsten's collection of antiques. The pieces resembled ship wreckage more than anything else. It's as if they needed the best furniture repair in Orange County before they could be of use again. He ran his hands over the wooden furniture as Kirsten, holding true to her role as host of the most, gave all possible details as if we were in an Open House or an auction. She carried on blabbing about this California custom cabinet she recently acquired, visibly gloating at the idea that it once belonged to Richard Nixon's wife. It had to be sent to this renowned company that does Cabinet refurnishing in Orange County, so doesn't that lessen its authenticity? I chose not to say my thoughts out loud when I sensed that Dad could not carry on with his Stepford Husband act. He looked just about ready to bark at Kirsten and tell her to just shut her trap. I wasn't alone after all.

Walking through the massive house was already tiring in itself, what more bearing with Kirsten's voice as she talked nonstop about furniture refinishing in Orange County or furniture restoration from this Orange County firm whenever we set eyes on an antique piece - which were all over the place. I had a feeling that Dad would want out at the end of the day. I may not have to call this place ‘home' after all.