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The weekend
Luna must have packed and unpacked her bags three times. Wiley watched her move back and forth from the closet to the weekender suitcase propped on the chair in the corner. She held up a midi dress with long sleeves. “What do you think? Too caj? Too dressy?” Wiley didn’t make a move. “OK. So that will go back on the rack.” Her closet was squished. She dug through more clothes, shoving each garment into the next. “Wow. I never realized I had so much stuff.” She looked at Wiley. He yawned. “And I can’t figure out what to wear or pack.” She threw herself backward on her bed and began to stare at the ceiling. She was nervous. She knew it. Talk about practicing what you preach. She stunk at it. Maybe this was a good time to put her own words to good use. She didn’t have to be on the road for another couple of hours. She had time to decompress and hit the reset button. She got up and dimmed the lights, pulled down the shade, put on some New Age music, and set the timer. She would try to be still for forty minutes, regardless. No thinking allowed. She closed her eyes and began deep yoga breathing, inhaling and exhaling to the rhythms of the ocean waves in the background of the music. She drifted off to the guided meditation taking her to the tranquility of lush, beautiful gardens.
* * *
Before Cullen left for work that morning, he set out the clothes he planned on wearing to dinner with Chi-Chi. Of course, Luna had a major hand in it. A Hawes & Curtis green-and-blue Italian linen blazer, navy linen pants, a dark green shirt, and a blue-and-green-checkered tie with a pocket square to match. Cullen was always very buttoned up. Literally. During the week, he would spend most of his time in the workshop renovating something. But under his work apron was a button-down collared shirt. The only thing that gave a hint of his creative side were his socks. They were always something different than one would expect. Something interesting. Most people didn’t realize it because he wore work boots in his studio and workshop. But under that Brooks Brothers appearance was a pair of Looney Tunes, Rocky & Bullwinkle, Oreos, SpongeBob, or some other wacky footwear. Even at a black-tie event, he would wear white socks with black bowties. Rarely did anyone say a word. It was such a dichotomy from what people generally recognized. Now the dilemma was which pair to wear to dinner. Then he remembered he had a pair of green paisleys. Perfect. Dark maroon loafers with tassels, of course. He then started second-guessing himself about the tie. It would depend on how nervous he was and if a tie would make him feel like he was choking. He’d tough it out. The ensemble Luna had picked was impeccable, and he wanted to impress Chi-Chi. Satisfied his evening wear was ready, he left for the showroom and workshop. It was Saturday. He wouldn’t be working with paint, sawdust, old metal, or whatever would arrive in desperate need of refurbishing. He wanted to be sure he wouldn’t find the need to bathe in turpentine before he showered for his dinner date.
He had started working on the trunk the previous week. It took several days to get it clean and down to the original wood. He was surprised it was in decent shape considering how it had smelled when it arrived. It still had a smoky odor, but he figured that would dissipate over the next week or so. Then there was the refinishing, which would add its own aroma to the mix.
Luna had some crazy ideas about the origin of the trunk and the measly contents, but she had been busier than usual, probably because she was taking a weekend off and had to cram in more time during the week. Plus, she had to shop for her trip. Cullen smiled, thinking about her and Marshal Gaines. Individually they were fun, funny, and interesting, but when they were together, it grew exponentially. And it was contagious. Even during serious conversations, the four of them would find a silver lining. He once joked “that silver lining is a bolt of silver lightning.” That fueled a conversation about old adages with a twist. “Even at its lowest ebb, the tide will turn . . . and swallow you in the undertow.” Then there was “Tomorrow’s another day . . . hope it’s not your last.”
Cullen wondered what dinner alone with Chi-Chi would be like. He tried not to think too much about it. He didn’t want to talk himself into sabotaging it and hoped Luna wasn’t doing the same thing in her situation.
On the drive to the center, Cullen turned on the radio to get the local news and weather. He almost drove off the road when the song “Smooth Operator” by Sade came on. He had known Chi-Chi for about a year, and it finally hit him. That’s who she reminded him of! Sade Adu, pronounced Sha-day. She, too, was Nigerian. “I’m such an idiot. I can’t believe I missed that,” he muttered under his breath. “Maybe because I haven’t heard it in a long time? That song came out around the time we were born,” he said to no one. But it reinforced his opinion about music and reminded him of the conversation he had had with Chi-Chi and Luna about contemporary music. He smiled to himself, anticipating the coming evening. He wondered if it was going to be awkward without the crew. He also wondered if there were any subjects that were off-limits. They rarely discussed race. Culture? Yes. General politics? Yes. Religion? Often. Luna considered herself a “spiritual” person but not tied to any particular religion although Christianity had a lot of good points, she concluded. Chi-Chi also had a Christian background with a smattering of traditional Nigerian beliefs in higher beings. She once compared them to saints. Each one covered a particular subject, idea, or territory. Cullen considered himself a Christian and attended church on holidays and other occasions. At least he knew religion wouldn’t be a problem. He was learning more about Chi-Chi’s culture and upbringing, which seemed to be strict but loving. He smirked, thinking about the time he had driven Chi-Chi to her car and told her men needed an invitation to kiss a woman. He now realized it was a bit of an exaggeration, and perhaps she might have misinterpreted what he had said. He’d find out soon enough. He hoped. In a good way.
* * *
Luna bounced up when the timer went off. She had fallen into a deep state listening to the New Age music. She checked the clock. It was almost eleven, and she still hadn’t finished picking out her clothes. She had the essentials packed. Toiletries, the new teal silk pajamas with navy piping and a matching robe. Luna shuddered when she thought about the $500 she had spent on sleepwear. It was the most she had spent on any type of clothing in her life. But the company was called Lunya and she rationalized that it was a “sign.” Chi-Chi chortled at Luna’s explanation for her extravagance. “But it does look lovely on you.” Chi-Chi supported her the day they had gone shopping.
Trying not to waste more time, Luna pulled out a pair of jeans and a light, cream-colored sweater for the next day, a silk scarf, and a pair of slip-on canvas shoes with rubber soles. But what to wear now? She wanted to make a good impression, which was always the case, but this time it was special. Really special. Chi-Chi had suggested a baby-blue maxi dress with the tribal print split neckline, and a light denim jacket. She finished it off with her shooties—the booties with an open toe—bangle bracelets, and hoop earrings.
The night before, Chi-Chi had braided Luna’s hair in the same fashion as during their emergency makeover a few weeks before. It fell beautifully over her left shoulder, and she could undo it if she wanted to go wild and wavy.
Luna turned and looked at her bed. It was covered in a pile of rejected outfits. “Wiley. Why did you let me do this?” He offered a disinterested woof. “Yeah, yeah. Enough of fashion week. I’m going with Chi-Chi’s idea.” Wiley’s head perked up in agreement. “You should have said something earlier.” She laughed and gave him a big smooch on the head.
She applied her makeup very carefully. She didn’t want to look like she was overdoing it. “Casual. I’m casual,” she kept repeating to herself. She also decided to wear her contact lenses instead of her granny glasses. She plopped them in a case and stuck it in her bag. She considered it might be time to trade them in for something a little more modern. Then she laughed at the thought. No one would recognize her!
She took a long look in the mirror and turned to Wiley. “What do you think, pal?” He gave her his particular woof of approval, his tail banging an affirmative on the floor. “Come on. You’re staying with Uncle Cullen tonight.”
Luna was worried that having to take care of Wiley would interfere with Cullen’s evening, but Cullen insisted. “He’s no trouble at all.”
She took one last look before she locked up and set the alarm. Cullen knew the code if he needed to get in for any reason. Ellie was the backup. Confident she was ready for this new adventure, she harnessed Wiley in the back seat of her SUV and put her weekender bag in the back. She checked her tote bag for a sketch pad, tape measure, and fabric samples. Then it dawned on her that she didn’t have a gift! You never go to anyone’s house without bringing something! With all the excitement of shopping and preparing, she had forgotten a house gift. The thought of a candle crossed her mind, but she felt that would be too girlie. She hit the button on the console. “Call the Flakey Tart.” The electronic voice repeated “Calling the Flakey Tart.” After two rings, Heidi answered with her usual greeting. “What sweetness can we bring into your life today?”
“Hey, Heidi! It’s Luna.”
“Hey, Luna. I thought you were going out of town this weekend.”
“I am, but I’m such a knucklehead I forgot to pick up something for the host.”
Heidi laughed. “I have just the thing. I made a beautiful apple strudel that came out of the oven about an hour ago.”
“Sounds scrumptious. I hope I don’t eat it on the way!”
“I’ll throw in a scone for your trip.” Heidi chuckled.
“Thanks. Come to think of it, how about a couple of them. Do you have any brioche?”
“Yep, I do. Want me to put a box together? Three of each?”
“Fantastic! But make sure you put an extra scone in a bag for me!”
“No problem.”
“I’m on my way over now. Uncle Cullen is doggie-sitting for Wiley.”
“Great. See you in a few.”
Luna was relieved. She would have brought something for the house but she didn’t know what he needed. The first time he visited the center, she had given him a tour, and he bought dinnerware and glassware. If she had more time, she would have looked for something appropriate. But a good apple strudel wasn’t terrible. Plus the breakfast goodies. She was satisfied with the pastry party she was going to offer.
