1 Carpe Bead'em

by Tonya Kappes

  “So, will you?”

  “Yes. Yes, I’d be glad to make them, but it will come at a cost.” I take a deep breath. I’m feeling gutsy, “Can I get Beadnicks in the wardrobe credits?”

  What do I have to lose? We can always compromise.

  “Done,” she says with no hesitation. “And I can one-up you. I want to interview you as the upcoming jewelry designer from Cincinnati.”

  My mouth falls open. There’s no way this is happening to me. I’ve never had a life of luck. I think I’m going to cry.

  “What do you say?”

  “I say yes!” I can’t contain my excitement. “Thank you, Sheila.”

  “My pleasure. Now Channel 19 doesn’t have to spend so much money at Tiffany’s.” She laughs.

  Me compared to Tiffany’s? Since Saks is so close to Tiffany’s it’s hard for me not to look in the window when I walk by going to work every morning.

  This is big. Bigger than I ever planned it to be.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  My mind, heart and soul are ready to start working on new bracelets for Sheila, but with Aunt Grace weighing heavy on my heart, I decide to stop by and visit before I throw myself into beading new bracelets.

  I don’t know why I’m shocked, but there he is. Uncle Jimmy perched on the stoop. He must be back on the wagon.

  “Your aunt is upstairs.” He points up the steps without moving to let me through.

  “Good seeing you again.” I give him the old captain’s salute.

  “Gotta favor.” He looks up. He actually gives me eye contact, which sort of creeps me out.

  Great.

  “Sure, what?” There it goes, flying out of my mouth before I can think about it. I should know better.

  “Grace and I want to go bet on the ponies. We want you take us in that fancy car of yours.” Was this a statement or favor? “We want to go this weekend.”

  Seriously, they want me to take them to the racetrack? I can’t believe they want to spend their last dime on horses. I can’t imagine taking them to Wal-mart, much less River Downs.

  Just then, the phone rang. Saved by the bell!

  “Hello?” I don’t look to see who it is because I don’t care. It’s getting me out of this conversation and talking to my enemy is worth getting off the hook with Uncle Jimmy.

  “I’ve been thinking about you all day.” Bo’s voice drips through the phone.

  Well, well, don’t hold back, baby.

  “Hello.” I plunge forward after once I realize I’m leaning up against the wall in the hallway. “I was just thinking about you too. I’m getting ready to visit with my aunt. Can I call you back?”

  “Your crazy aunt?” His laugh sounds so sexy.

  “Yes,” I whisper.

  I get a little tug in my heart. I feel a little bad that all my friends refer to poor Aunt Grace as crazy. Of course I don’t make matters better because they’re just repeating what I say.

  “I won’t hear from you in a week.” He jokes because of the time she called and I missed going out with the running group.

  Another missed opportunity with Bo. I have to stop missing those opportunities.

  “Really I’ve had a nice time visiting with her while staying here. I try to see her once a week.”

  “That’s sweet.” He sounds sincere. “I’ve got to run, but I wanted to call and thank you again for such a great time.”

  “You’re always welcome here.” The warm fuzzy begin to creep back.

  Before I let him hang up, I told him about my Beadnicks’ job with Sheila Gray.

  “Maybe when you come visit, you can talk to Monk about financing and taxes,” he says.

  Eww. . . good point. I haven’t thought about all that. “He can sit down with you and make sure that Dee isn’t screwing you out of money.”

  “I don’t think Dee is that kind of person.” I state.

  I don’t like the idea of him accusing my friend. “It’s not all about money. It’s about me having happiness and joy in what I’m doing.”

  I catch myself off-guard with such a grown up statement. Since when did I really believe that?

  “It is all about business, Hallie.” He’s states a fact. “The reason I have Monk as a partner is because he’s good with finances.”

  Aunt Grace opens her door and peeks her head. She opens the door wider. “Hallie, dear, I didn’t know who was talking out here. Thought I lost my mind.”

  “Bo, Dee is not my partner.”

  I really never have considered this a joint venture, only a business arrangement. Not different than any other deal in the retail industry.

  “You know the saying, if you have to have a partner, then you can’t afford it, anyway.” Aunt Grace blurts out.

  But she’s right. I smile at her, and put my forefinger to my mouth and give her the old shh sign.

  “She sees potential in my designs. I’m going to do the same thing with all the little boutiques. Besides, I’m excited that Sheila Gray wants my designs.” I follow Aunt Grace into her family room. She turns off the television and politely waits as I finish my conversation. “I’ll call you when I leave Aunt Grace’s and after I pick up my bead order from Dee.”

  “Wait,” Bo says. “Why not send the beads to your house? You have an established business name, use your social for the tax ID and you can make it all your own. Just promise me you’ll think about it.”

  “I promise.” I smile holding the phone close to my heart. This is the first time he’s called me and we talk about more than running. I jump at the cockroach running across my Manolos and throw my leg in the air, launching the roach in mid flight across the room.

  “Aunt Grace, seriously? Pest control? I’ll pay for it.”

  “It wouldn’t be the same without them critters.” She put her glasses on. “Did you see Jimmy outside?”

  “Yes.”

  “Did he ask about the races?”

  “Yes.” I’m trying to leave it to one-word answers because I don’t want to take them and she’ll talk me into it.

  “You gonna take me?” She leans in with her head cocked, giving me the wonky eye.

  “You mean both of you?” She knows I’ll do anything for her, but not so much him.

  “Hallie, you know I don’t ask for a single thing unless I really need it.”

  “You want me to drive you to a racetrack so you can blow your money?” I can’t believe it. He’s talked her into winning a ton of money and she’ll fall for anything he says.

  “I want to get out of here and have a little fun.”

  “My friend is going to be visiting this weekend from Chicago, so I’ll see if she doesn’t mind.” God, I hope Georgia minds. She’s coming in to do a photo shoot at Fountain Square for Fit Pregnancy Magazine.

  During my brief visit with Aunt Grace, I agreed to take them with or without Georgia. On the drive up to One Bead At A Time, I have a nagging suspicion I’ll regret taking them.

  I can’t wait to get to One Bead at a Time. My stress builds at the mention of Aunt Grace and dissipates with the feel of the beads sliding off my fingertips onto the wire. Plus I can’t wait to see if my order came in.

  Dee is in her normal position, standing over a few ladies trying their hands at earrings. I can tell by her tone, she’s a little frustrated with them. Earrings aren’t the easiest to make. You have to manipulate the wire and pliers at the same time and twist.

  “Excuse me, ladies.” Dee walks over and grits her teeth. “A little more challenging. They just aren’t getting it.”

  She reaches down and places two big boxes on the counter. “I haven’t had time to check the packing slip. You can do it.”

  “What do you think about me getting a tax ID and send the beads to my home?” I watch her carefully to see how she reacts.

  “You have the name, you’ve got the clientele and if you want to continue to do this in Chicago, you are going to be on your own,” she says, and I know it’s going to be okay “You can’t be comi
ng here every week to pick up beads.” There is pleasure in her eyes, like a mother when her baby takes her first step. She’s been guiding me all along toward independence and I just haven’t seen it until now.

  The idea of me being my own boss does scare me a little. I pick up the two boxes.

  “I’ll think about it,” I said, heading for the door. Dee wants me to stay, I can tell, but I can’t wait to get home and spend the rest of the day creating designs for Sheila Gray, my first celebrity client.

  Home.

  Funny, I’ve never considered Cincinnati to be my home.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Stretchy bracelets, toggle bracelets, clasp bracelets, bracelets with dangling charms, bracelets with dangling beads, earrings, a couple of watches. You name it, I bead it.

  Carefully, I brush my hands over the beads spread out on the floor as if they were precious gems. There are orders from Dee to be filled, along with some from parents’ of some of the teenagers.

  It’s definitely time to think about a tax ID, and begin to make those business decisions. Bo’s right. I need Monk’s help to show me the basic ropes. Otherwise, with my luck, I’d get put in jail for tax fraud.

  This week I will apply for a tax ID, and next weekend I want to drive to Chicago to surprise everyone. I’ll make it a point to stop by the bar to see Monk, and pick his brain.

  I’m not telling a soul, not even Lucy. She won’t care anyway, since she left a message saying not to worry about her. She’s visiting her family, along with Beck, and doesn’t know when she’ll be back.

  The bracelets for Sheila Gray were delivered by courier. She left a voicemail saying how perfect they were and there aren’t any changes. She left a few dates to set up an interview. But I’ll have to get back with her. I’ll be back in Chicago, and my plan is to have a few boutiques carrying Beadnicks’ jewelry so I can plug them.

  Bo and I keep our compromise not to commit to each other until I go back. We talk a few times during the week and discuss new running tips for me to work on while I’m away. He did throw in a few things we can do as a couple when I get back.

  There is never a hint of Piper in his life. And she hasn’t bothered me at work. In fact, it’s like she’s non-existent. She’s a been thorn in my life and that seems to have been pulled out.

  I put the stretch cord down on the board when the phone rings. It’s Georgia. She’s supposed to be here by now.

  “Hey, girl!” The excitement is inevitable in Georgia’s voice.

  “Where are you?” It’s natural for me to worry, since she’s pregnant.

  “We’re on Fountain Square, scoping out the place for the photo shot.” She barks out some orders in the background. “Did you pull some accessories for us to use?”

  “I did. I got a few purses, some at the higher end of the spectrum, and a couple scarves.” I want to use our fall line to showcase. Gucci is extremely pleased with the idea.

  “Didn’t you get jewelry?”

  “You’re going to love it.” I didn’t tell her that she’d be using all Beadnicks jewelry. There is no way I’m picking any other designer. Every piece is custom-made to match each piece of clothing and other accessories.

  “Great. Hey, I gotta go. See you in a couple hours.” She hangs up, leaving me time to lay out the accessories on Lucy’s bed. I step back for one last look. For the first time I am proud of myself.

  Henry jumps off the bed when he hears the door open.

  “Honey?” He drags out the beginning syllables. “I’m home.”

  I almost beat Henry down the steps. It’s been so long since Wilson’s been home and I’m excited to see him. He hasn’t heard all my good news. Bo, jewelry, Bo, no Piper, and did I mention Bo?

  “Prudence?” I’m a little taken back when I see her standing in my family room.

  It’s shocking to see her and Wilson, hand-in-hand. Not that they won’t make a great couple, but when did all this happen?

  “Wilson was in Chicago for business.” They smile at each other with a secret looming between them. She wraps her arms around his neck. “We hit it off and have a lot in common. It’s history from there.”

  Still in a little bit of a shock, I’m not sure what to say.

  “If you were going for surprise, you did a good job.” I continue to shake my head back and forth between the two. “Wow! I saw the connection you guys had, but this?”

  “I know.” Prudence squawks. “He’s amazing and Daddy loves him.”

  Of course daddy Roebucks loves him. Prudence’s dad loves anything that signals money. After her mom passed away, her dad left her to be raised by nannies while he was off making money and having an affair.

  “You’ve already introduced him to your dad?” I ask in disbelief.

  This is a big step for her. Usually they don’t get past the front door.

  She takes me by the arm and whispers in my ear. “I think he is the one.” Her shoulders rise along with her eyebrows.

  I drag her upstairs to have a “come to Jesus” meeting. She needs someone to show her the light and I’m that someone.

  “Are you kidding me, Prudy?” I shut the bedroom door behind me. I have to hear the words come out of her mouth and into the universe.

  Gracefully, she sits on the edge of the bed with her head held high and posture perfect.

  “Of all people, I thought you’d understand.” Her body stiffened. “You know I don’t let men into my life. Especially a love interest.”

  My heart aches for how I just treated my friend.

  I sit next to her.

  “It worries me because it’s so soon. I’m just surprise, that’s all.” My voice fades away.

  She grins from ear to ear. The sparkle in her eyes says it all. “You know, it’s weird. I never expected to fall in love with another lawyer.”

  A twinge of jealousy pings my gut. I can’t believe I am actually envious of her relationship with Wilson. It’s taken me this long to find a passion in life and a possible love interest.

  Not Prudence. She’s got life by the balls. She was born wealthy. I grew up poor. She lost her mom. I lost my mom and dad. She loves being a lawyer, I love Gucci.

  Okay, maybe not a good comparison. She’s always loved being a lawyer. And now I’m questioning my loyalty to Gucci. She blinks and can get a guy to fall in love with her while I have to join a gym and stalk the running group in order to get a chance to run behind a guy I want to notice me.

  “Guess who else is here?” I question Prudence.

  It will be like a girls’ night in all over.

  “Georgia.” Prudence squeezes my hand.”She told me she was coming.”

  “I must’ve been the last to know about you and Wilson.” Just because I don’t live in Chicago doesn’t mean they have to shelter me from life there. I follow her out the room, through the house and down to Wilson’s apartment.

  Wilson is pouring three glasses of wine.

  I have to say it’s nice to see Prudence genuinely happy. I love the way Wilson makes sure she gets her wine first, the way his hands lays on the small of her back, and how his eyes gaze at her.

  “I haven’t seen Lucy since she’s lived here. Her stuff lives here, but she doesn’t.” The wine tastes sweet and goes down smooth. “I have to show you something,”

  I grab Prudence by the hand and drag her up to Lucy’s room. She’s going to die when she sees the exquisite bracelets, earrings and watch designs.

  “I must have this.” She picks up the new Gucci hobo in burnt orange.

  “Fine.” I take the bag and put it back in the brown dust bag before handing it to her. “Look at my designs. A local news anchor ordered bracelets from me.”

  I clue her in on all the happenings going on with the beads, my plan, and Bo.

  “That’s great, Hallie.” She embraces me. “You deserve to be happy and you’re glowing.”

  I’m ashamed of the way I reacted to her news about her and Wilson. She completely accepted my decisions
with Beadnicks and my relationship with Bo.

  “I only want you to be happy, just like you only want me to be happy.” She walks towards the door and turns around. “Maybe being transferred home is what you did need in your life.”

  Listening to Prudence’s words only confirm what I’ve been feeling in my heart. Until now, I hadn’t been able to put it into words.

  I sit for a moment listening to Prudence and Wilson interacting in my family room. There is definitely something between that I haven’t seen in any of her other relationships.

  “Georgia!” Prudence yells.

  I jump off the bed and see Georgia waddling up the cobblestone sidewalk. I run down the stairs, and open the door.

  “Look at you.” I rub her belly. I can’t believe how hard her stomach is.

  “Does my belly have an unwritten sign that says ‘strangers, please rub me’?” She looks down at my hand. “Do you know how weird it is when strangers walk up and rub my stomach and ask me when I’m due?”

  “I’m not some stranger.” I protest at the similarities she’s placing between the two.

  “No you’re not.” She put her hand on mine still resting on her stomach. “You’re the godmother.”

  My mouth flings open along with my eyes that fills with tears, “Me?” I cross my hands on my chest in disbelief. The honor I’m feeling is incredible.

  “Don’t worry. Lucy and Prudence can give strength where you lack it, and vice versa. God mothers, as in three.” She clarifies.

  “Now I’m mad I have to share.” I tease and point to Prudence, who begins to drip off of Wilson. “I’m really only one-third a god-mommy?” I rub my chin. “You know, that’s not a bad idea. I can do that.”

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Luckily everyone agrees to come along and be nice to Aunt Grace and Uncle Jimmy on our little excursion to River Downs. River Downs is a racetrack on the east side of Cincinnati and is celebrating its 85th anniversary. It’s extremely crowded.

  “I love the smell of good manure.” Uncle Jimmy’s nose is sticking out the window on our way into the parking lot. “Gonna be a good day, Gracie. Good day!”