Page 35 of Proof
“As long as you have bail money when the police arrive, I’m game!” Luna laughed. She knew there were still a very small handful of people who resented Ellie’s success, particularly those who’d tried to stop her from building the project. “Do we have tickets?”
“No, but I’ll ask Nathan to stop at the office supply store.” Ellie picked up her cell phone and hit Nathan’s speed-dial number. “Hi, Nathan. Need you to run an errand for me.” Ellie explained what she wanted.
“No problem,” said Nathan. “Gregory is coming in at four o’clock so I can go home, change, and grab dinner. I’ll be back around six, and he and I will keep an eye on everyone and everything for the party.” Nathan was more than happy to accommodate Ellie.
“Wonderful. Thanks. See you later.” Ellie turned to Luna and Chi-Chi. “Check that off the list. I’ll print out the signs for the registration book, the raffle, and the cranes. Maybe Cullen can make some quick easel frames.”
“Let’s go ask.” Luna motioned for Ellie to follow her into Cullen’s showroom.
“I must get to work. I will speak to you later.” Chi-Chi floated across the atrium and into her shop.
The bell from Cullen’s front door rang in the back of his workshop. “Did he begin working on your dresser?” Ellie asked.
“No, but I have. I started sifting through the contents I took home. The process began a tidal wave of emotions. It was kinda weird. When I started going through the box, it was as if I was reliving the past.”
“That’s why they call them mementos, dear.” Ellie had no idea how real Luna’s experience was, and Luna wasn’t about to elaborate. No one ever had to know how foolish she had been during that particular time in her young, naïve life.
The center was alive with excitement as the hour drew near. The awards were for outstanding service to the community, and Sabrina, one of the pages at the center, was one of the recipients. Ellie was very proud of her apprentice and her interest in the arts. With the main focus on math and science, art, music, and dance were considered less important, but Ellie was determined to encourage and endorse them. The monthly youth string quartet recitals had become more popular with parents. Ellie hoped it was because they were exposing their children to the classics, but she suspected it was because they could let their kids run wild in the gardens. No matter. The audience was growing.
Everyone who was participating in the evening activities brought a change of clothes. Thankfully, Luna had been alert enough in the morning to pack a small bag of cosmetics to cover up her lack of sleep. She ditched the idea of contact lenses and donned her biggest pair of horn-rimmed cat-eye glasses. She swapped her maxi skirt for a light beige summer dress and sandals, and pulled her long hair into a side braid and tied it with an animal-print ribbon. She peered in the mirror, double-checking she hadn’t missed any clues of her sleepless and troubling night. Not a knockout, but respectable.
Luna turned around when Chi-Chi entered the tiled bathroom. “Well, hello, gorgeous! You look magnificent!” Chi-Chi was wearing a spectacular black jumpsuit with an embroidered peach and gold cape, and a matching gele head wrap.
Chi-Chi gave her a humble bow. “Thank you. I thought it would be nice to represent my heritage in front of these young people.”
“You nailed it. Not that I would know one boubou or aso ebi from another.”
Chi-Chi laughed. “Someday I will teach you the fashion of Yoruba. Suki will also be wearing traditional clothing from Japan.”
“Very cool. Geez, I hope Brian from The Cheese Cave doesn’t show up wearing a foam rubber wedge on his head!” She giggled.
Just as Luna was putting on the last of her undereye coverup, Ellie walked in carrying shop aprons. She also gasped at Chi-Chi’s appearance. “Absolutely stunning. Well, I certainly don’t want you to wear one of these.” She glanced at Luna, who looked like a vanilla ice-cream cone, and handed her a bright blue apron. “Sorry, dear, but that is not traditional attire.”
“Ha. It is for me!” Luna chuckled, and then donned the vibrant apron. “Brilliant idea.” Luna looked down at her simple dress. “At least it won’t clash with what I’m wearing.”
Ellie had designed the logo for the center and ordered several dozen shop aprons made in various sizes and colors. All the artists wore them when they were working on their crafts, and many patrons had asked if they were for sale, so she’d ordered more. She hadn’t planned on merchandising items for the center, but they became very popular. She then had baseball caps made that also became a favorite. The proceeds went to her favorite charities. Ellie felt lucky she had the resources to provide assistance for animals, women, and the food pantry. George urged her to put herself on the payroll to keep track of her expenses, but Ellie replied, “It’s my money, and I am going to spend it on whatever I want. Besides, I want to be around to see the good I’ve done. Like the center.” There was no doubt Ellie was generous and determined.
Ellie looked at Luna. “Are you feeling alright today?”
“Yes. Why?” Luna knew she hadn’t been herself lately, and with the lack of sleep, she figured she looked dreadful.
“Oh, my friend. You cannot pretend you haven’t had much on your mind.”
“True. It’s been chaos in my head.”
“How so?”
“I mentioned something wasn’t sitting right with me. I thought it might be Chris. I know something is happening with him, but I don’t know what it is.”
“Perhaps he will discuss it with you this weekend.” Chi-Chi was trying to comfort her friend.
“I think that’s the plan.” Luna sighed. “Oh, Chi-Chi, what if he’s going to break up with me?”
Chi-Chi balked. “You cannot be serious. He adores you. What makes you say this?”
“I think I’m having PTSD from a previous relationship.”
“Ah. Yes, sometimes the past haunts our present. That is not a good thing.”