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“Our garden?” Alek asks.
“I took the liberty of bringing fresh vegetables from the best growers I could find. There is no use using the finest fish and meat and poultry, if we use vegetables that aren’t fresh. But with Nani’s permission we will have a garden of our own within a year.”
“Let’s plan on it,” Nani says. “The big empty space past the parking lot would be ideal. There is both full sun and cool shade near the trees.”
“Oh! That is going to be my first bite,” Alana says, pointing to the chicken wings and thighs. “What’s on those?”
“Sweet coconut teriyaki with sesame seeds and cilantro. Taro chips on the side. Of course our Portuguese sweet bread will be offered with every dinner. And lunches too. It goes with everything.”
“Let’s begin.”
“When do we get to try the desserts?”
“I wish I hadn’t eaten so much yesterday. I’m bloated.” Alana touches her flat stomach.
Turning into the dress shop parking lot, I find the closest open space among the cars already here.
“You don’t have anything to worry about. You’re tiny.”
“Tiny? Have you seen me?”
“Yes. You have a beautiful figure. It’s the big clothes you wear that fool the eye. I know what I’m talking about, Alana.”
“I just hope I can find something that doesn’t make me look like Fiona’s twin.”
“Who’s she?”
“Shrek’s wife.”
We chuckle with the ridiculous idea.
“Get out. We need to beat the other shoppers to the good stuff.”
Walking toward the entry, she puts a hand on my arm.
“You know that pale yellow dress you wore to dinner with my Dad the other night?”
“Yeah.”
“I want something like that. I wouldn’t look as good as you, but I really liked the style.”
“Honey, I made that dress. I could make something for you. There’s still time.”
“No. I’ll find something here,” she says, holding open the door for me.
“Okay, but if you can’t find it today, just consider the option. I could make you look like a dream.”
“Thanks.”
We have the store mostly to ourselves, other than the two salesgirls and the older man looking through the racks. He looks uncomfortable, like most men do out of their wheelhouse.
“Need some help finding something, sir?”
“No. I know what I like. I’m just looking for something for my granddaughter. It’s her birthday next month.”
“How nice. Well just ask if we can help you find it.”
Alana has overheard the conversation and hesitates before speaking to the man.
