The Find

Sitting on the curb, amidst the overgrown weeds, is a piece of furniture. At least that's what it looks like at first glance.
The brakes squeal, the pick-up truck slows to a stop.
The driver hops out on to the street and makes his way around the backside of the truck, stopping to let the tailgate down.
As he approaches the abandoned cast-off, he smiles, knowing that this is exactly the conversation piece he has been looking for.
He imagines what color it should be re-painted.
He imagines what hardware it needs.
He imagines what its use will be.
He imagines where it will be placed in his home.
Upon closer inspection, he realizes that this piece is really rather ugly.
It is chipped from use and is in serious disrepair.
Years of abuse have carved irregular, misshapen tracks in the surface that will need to be sanded and patched.
The chipping paint reveals so many layers that the original finish is unrecognizable.
A faint, strange odor emanates from it.
As the restorer leans down to scrutinize it with keen eyes, he runs his hand over the surface, and realizes that this is actually a rare work of art.
He can't wait to get to work refurbishing it!
He carefully lifts and carries it to the flatbed and carefully slides it in.
A sigh and knowing nod of liberation of this heirloom, accompanies the slamming latch as it locks.
On the drive back home, the rescuer drives delicately, so as not to disturb the find.
His driveway welcomes the gravel-crushing wheels of the pickup, but this time, when the driver hops out, he skips to the tailgate, releases and delivers his new belonging to his workroom.
The craftsman lifts the find to the top of his dropcloth-covered workbench and pulls the cord above the bench to illuminate the area.

He then flings the windows open wide and switches on an old fan that hums as it sweeps fresh air across the room.

His first order of business is to remove the heavy layer of dirt and grime covering the surface.

A gentle wash with soap exposes the true irregularities.

He pulls on a pair of well-worn gloves and takes a just as well-worn brush and applies varnish remover across the entire outer surface which instantly dissolves the first layers of paint.

After inspection, the refinisher decides that this procedure must be repeated twice more, over the top and down the sides.

The fumes permeated the air more quickly than the fresh air could dissipate them, yet he cannot leave his endeavor until it's true finish could be seen.

After considerable scraping of the loose material, sanding, wiping of the dust, brushing of the intricate areas until all the residue is gone, the man grins in delight.

After all, to him patience is the best refinishing technique.

The first glimpses of the original hidden luster are spied!

It's time for revitalization with an oil.

Soon, the workroom is filled with the sweet-smelling fragrance of this distinctive balm.

After the find has received its new covering, the man steps back and with his whole countenance beams his approval.

The delicate intricacies of the carvings now gleam in the light, its unique designs once again, revealed.

Promptly, he takes up the find and carries it inside his home with pride.

As he transfers his new treasure to its new spot, he tenderly sets it down, and gently whispers to the find.

He tells her that never again will she be abused and neglected.

Never again will she be set outside as rubbish and abandoned.

He tells her she this is her new home and invites her to stay with him forever, all the while, calling her by her name: Leslie.

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