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When there was a wee gap in the speech, Lucy decided to jump in. “I understand your concerns, Felica.”
“Do you, though?” Sliding her hand to her throat, she shook her head dramatically. “What about the teenagers? They’re so impressionable, and who knows what kind of ideas those vegetables could give them?”
“Felicia, we have this chat every year, and I’m not sure why that’s necessary. Dee’s vegetable mastery is respected and lauded by most of the town.” She pulled her mouth into a pious smile. “It wouldn’t be right to shroud,” she waved her hand toward the window, “this art behind some sort of outdated, puritanical, cultural construct that hasn’t been of use in a hundred years.”
“I have no idea what that means, Lucy.”
Inhaling a long breath through her nose, she prayed for some kind of divine intervention. When Bea strolled in their direction, she knew her spirit guides had answered her entreaty. “Hello, friend.”
Bea joined the women. “I love the window, Lucy. The message of acceptance and sex-positivity is just the thing we all need to be reminded of.”
She watched Felicia’s blank expression and knew that if she weren’t such a fan of Botox, her features would be scrunched together in disapproval. “I think embracing our inner goddess is vital, and the more we can celebrate our powerful femininity, the better.”
“It’s a bunch of vegetables engaging in sex acts,” Felicia shouted.
“Is that what you see?” Bea took the woman’s arm and led her closer to the window. “Because I see a display of the hottest spring titles with some fine examples of nature’s beauty.” She pointed to a potato and smiled. “Is it time to clear out your chi?” She patted the woman’s hand. “Perhaps your chakras aren’t aligned, causing your system to be flooded with cortisol.”
Lucy watched the woman’s shoulder drop and stepped forward. “Would you like a cup of tea? We can go over to Mom’s store and have her brew us a cup?”
Felicia waved her hand. “No, thank you, I can’t bear one of your mother’s cookies.”
“I understand.” She tilted her head toward the window. “We’ve received so many compliments, and the town seems to be embracing our spring theme of vital energy.” She placed her arm around the woman’s tight shoulders. “Don’t forget that sex created you. Every cell in your body, including your brain cells, emerged from the sex energy of your parents. God trusted the carnal vitality to create humankind, and it might be time to embrace the sacredness of your sexual dynamism.”
“Lucy, that is the biggest bit of nonsense that you have ever contrived.”
Bea took Felicia’s hand. “It’s not. We all possess that energy and can use it for the world's benefit.”
“What about the teenagers and all their raging hormones?” Felicia said quietly. “This display could give them ideas or inflame something that shouldn’t be.”
Bea nodded with understanding. “Most people have access to the web, so a few lewd peppers aren’t going to faze them in any way.”
“It’s a world that I don’t understand and, quite frankly, have no desire to,” Felica said firmly as she stepped away from the women. “I won’t be dragged into this new century and all itswoke talkthis, andlet’s flash our lady bitsthat.”
“And you don’t have to,” Lucy said with compassion. “But don’t judge those who embrace the new world.” She held out her hands. “It’s the Aquarian age, and there’s no going back.”
“We’ll see about that.” She spun on her sensible sandals and marched down the street.
Lucy turned to Bea. “Thank you; I was about to lose my patience.”
“Bless her heart; she’s lonely and living in a world that has left her behind.”
Lucy linked their arms and headed toward the door of the store. “If she weren’t so judgy and uptight, she’d have more friends. As it is, most people just tolerate her and pray they don’t have to endure a lecture on morality.”
Bea gasped when they walked into the store. “Oh my, how gorgeous is this?” She walked over to the wall. “I want one.” Turning to Julie, she grasped her free hand. “Please, let me be next. I want one of your creations in the studio.”
“Okay, sure.”
Lucy joined the women. “I told you that people would fall in love with your work.”
“I feel like I’ve fallen into Alice’s wonderland.” Julie looked between them. “Why are you both being so nice? When are the nastiness and competitiveness going to show up?”
“This is Haven, not a setting for a reality housewives show,” Lucy commented. “We save our competitiveness for trivia night.”
“It’s so weird.”
“Weird is good,” Bea said as she traced a small flower on the wall. “Speak your truth and see who sticks around. Those who do might merit an invitation into the blanket fort.”
“And in case you were wondering, we have a really cool blanket fort. It’s got wine, cookies, cheese, and chocolate.”
