1 Carpe Bead'em

by Tonya Kappes

  “Slow down.” Uncle Jimmy has one hand on the dash with the other tightly grasping the door strap. I speed up. His actions at the track still have me angry and making him a little uncomfortable gives me a tiny bit of evil pleasure. “I wouldn’t learn how to drive in this day and age. This is exactly why we see car wrecks. All the fancy cars going fast.” Uncle Jimmy rants and raves the entire fifteen-minute drive, only causing my right foot to press down harder.

  “Very nice.” Aunt Grace refers to my little Hyde Park cottage. “I really like your home away from home.”

  Uncle Jimmy growls under his breath and I ignore him all the way up to Lucy’s room. He’s walking a thin line and he better be on his best behavior. Besides, I haven’t even told Wilson about this yet.

  Thankfully, Lucy went back to Mason Crossing as soon as we pulled in from Chicago. She couldn’t wait to see Beck. But she’ll die when she finds out about Aunt Grace and Uncle Jimmy staying in her room.

  “Listen,” Aunt Grace takes my hand, “did you put all the china and silver away. If he sees it, he’ll steal it back.”

  The china is still in my Prada bag in the back of the Solara. I’m not messing with bugs and keeping them in a hot Prada bag in the trunk of my car for the summer will be a nice slow death sentence. I smile, not revealing my secret.

  I get their plastic bags and empty them on the cobblestone walk to inspect them for cockroaches.

  “What are you doing with our undergarments left out for the world to see?” Uncle Jimmy is angry. He grabs his things and stuff them in the plastic garbage bags. “Grace, get out here. She’s gone and showin’ the world our things.”

  I stand back listening to him curse and scramble. He flings the door open. I jump back and see the disappointment on Aunt Grace’s face.

  “What?” I ask.

  I might’ve been a little disrespectful. Doesn’t she understand I don’t want to fumigate my house too.

  She puts her head down in shame. Shame in me, not in her.

  “What?” I ask with a little guilt. “You said you have bugs. I don’t want bugs in here. I just rent from Wilson.”

  Aunt Grace goes upstairs to check on Uncle Jimmy. It’s late and I don’t want to face Aunt Grace. I’m ashamed of myself. I see the disappointment in her eyes and I can feel the lack of gratitude in my heart.

  Week Nine

  He who has the most beads…WIN!

  Author Unknown

  Chapter Forty-Four

  “You do this every morning?” Aunt Grace startles me sitting on the front porch when I get back from my run, with her barely-there hair, fox stole, red curly wig and Beadnicks bracelets up to her elbows.

  I roll my eyes, I’m going to waste precious time cleaning them.

  “Where did you get these?” I rub my hands up her arm, fearing she has opened one of the sealed boxes ready for shipment that’s sitting by the door.

  “I asked you a question about this.” She points to my running outfit. “Not these.” She acts like a hand model and gently rubs the back of her hand down from her elbow to stopping shy of her wrist.

  I reach over and take them off of her one by one.

  “Yes, I run. You know that and I’m still training for the marathon.” I swear she has twenty of them on. I poke the fox’s nose. “Why are you out here and all dressed up?”

  “You’re living in a fancy neighborhood.” She caresses the fox. “I’m dressing the part. When in Rome.” She stands up to follow me inside and visibly a little wobbly.

  My mom always said, “Hallie, don’t mess with crazy. It will get you nowhere.” I’m listening to her today.

  “How’s it feel to live where you’ve always wanted to live?”

  “What do you mean?” I act like I don’t know what she’s talking about.

  Aunt Grace catches me off guard. I can’t compare my past life with my real life. Besides, she’s done the best she can.

  “You always wanted to live uptown.” She follows me to the kitchen.

  “I didn’t pick the house. It’s where my company put me.” I don’t want to admit how excited I am that they rented me a house in Hyde Park.

  I get a cup of coffee and keep an eye on her at the same time. She walks around looking at the appliances in awe. She touches the Breville blender as if it will burst in flames if she gets too close. The toaster oven door creaks as she opens it.

  She isn’t used to living this way. A clean, tidy home. As far back as I can remember, her house has always been the same. Fun and mysterious, as a child. Dreadful, as an adult.

  “I bet your parents are proud of you, Hallie.” Aunt Grace daintily takes the cup and put it up to her nose to smell. The hot steam dances in the air as she sips. “Ah. That’s a good cup of coffee.” She sits down at the table next to me. She’s more unstable than I’ve ever seen her.

  “Aunt Grace, how is your health?” A sudden ping of fear stabs my heart.

  “Honey, I’m ninety-two years old.” She sorts through the bracelets lying on the table. “What’s this all about?”

  We change the subject to my beading success. I’m proud to tell her. I’d like her to see that she successfully raised me.

  “I must admit, they are lovely.” The wealthy woman Aunt Grace was in her early years begins to shine through. She turns her head and stares off into the distance. “I used to wear beautiful jewelry.”

  I can tell she’s picturing another place, another time.

  “Embrace life, Hallie. You never know where it’s going to take you.” There is something in her voice that makes me think she’s hiding something.

  We talk a little longer before I have to get ready and go to work. I leave them there in confidence my house will still be standing when I get home tonight.

  Wilson busts through my office door, with Beatrice behind him.

  “What are those people doing in my house, Hallie?” His face is red with anger. “I walk upstairs in my underwear to find Aunt Grace stroking a dead animal and Uncle Jimmy in a pink robe.” He hovers over my desk ready to pounce.

  “Lucy is going to kill me.” I’m so glad it’s Wilson who saw him in Lucy’s pink robe and not me. “You weren’t home when it all went down and…”

  He isn’t paying attention to me. He’s looking at Beatrice who walked in to see who he is and why he barged in.

  “What?” He’s nasty to Beatrice. “Yeah! What?”

  Beatrice hangs her head and shuts the door.

  “Wilson, was that nice? No.” I walk over to the door. “Which is now. Goodbye.”

  “I don’t think so. We have a little issue to discuss. Crazy one and crazy two.” He holds up two fingers. “And why they’re in my house?”

  He stands between me and the door. He’s not about to budge.

  “Aunt Grace and Uncle Jimmy are staying with me for a couple nights while their apartment building gets sprayed for bugs.” I walk around him to open the door. “You stay in your apartment and I’ll stay in mine for the next few days. Or I’ll have to call the landlord.” I smile, and open the door.

  “Very funny, Hallie.” He walks out and turns around. “I’m not happy about it.”

  “You don’t have to be. They aren’t your houseguests.” I shut the door before he can get in another word.

  Chapter Forty-Five

  Aunt Grace and Uncle Jimmy stay out of my way most of the time when I’m home. They eat before I get home and retreat to watch TV in the bedroom. I finish all the jewelry by midweek and FedEx them Wednesday night with a different proposal drawn up by Prudence in each one.

  Saks hasn’t called and I fear Sophia is avoiding me. Nothing is happening with O magazine or Bo. The two major things I want to happen.

  “It’s a girl.” Georgia calls just in time to bring me out of my funk. “A girl!”

  “Way to go, Georgia.” I can’t imagine how she’s going to dress that poor baby. “Swear to me right now and if you were here, I would make you put her hand on a Bible. Both hands!”
/>   “Swear to what? You know I don’t swear.”

  “Swear you will not become one of those parents on Toddler and Tiaras.” I’m not joking when I refer to the hooky show about mothers and their itty-bitty mini-me’s followed by cameras through their journeys as child beauty queens. I’m obsessed with that show.

  Living alone leaves the door open for some interesting television.

  “With godmothers like you girls, she’ll be well rounded without a word from me.” She laughs. “Toddler and Tiaras. Something to think about.”

  “Swear, Georgia!” I belt through the phone.

  “Okay, I swear. I need to go call the other god mommies.”

  “I’m the first you called?” Wow! What an honor.

  “You are.” She confirms.

  “I’m the favorite. I knew it.” I jump up and down.

  “You’re first in the alphabet in the phone.”

  “Sure I am.” Still pumping my fists in the air. “I’m the favorite.” I sing into the phone way off-key until I hear the click.

  The phone rings immediately after she hung up.

  “I knew it! I am the favorite.” I answer it.

  “Excuse me?” The voice isn’t Georgia. In fact, I’ve never heard this voice.

  “I’m sorry. I thought you were someone else.” I bit my lower lip. “Who is this?”

  “I’m looking for Hallie Mediate.”

  Crap! I think I forgot to pay my Chase bill. Do I fess up or do I say I’m not here?

  “This is her.” I gather enough confidence to continue.

  I thumb through my bills on the kitchen counter and try to ignore Uncle Jimmy, who’s become accustomed to Lucy’s robe. And, if I must say, he doesn’t look all that bad in pink.

  “My name is Judith Light. I’m a jewelry buyer for Nordstrom in Chicago.” Her words blur from there. “I understand you made some jewelry that might interest me.”

  Uncle Jimmy is sitting at the table with a glass of vodka. I sit across from him, take his glass, and gulp it down. I don’t care what disease I may get from it.

  “I….” Uncle Jimmy, as if on cue, fills my or dare I say our glass again. I take a big swig and hand it to Uncle Jimmy, who takes a bigger swig. “I am flattered that you called. How did you hear about me?”

  I try to sound professional, but with my squeaky voice, it’s hard to do.

  Wilson bolts up the steps, slamming the basement door.

  He wiggles his finger between the two of us. “We need to talk. Now.”

  I try to shush him and focus on Judith Light.

  “It doesn’t matter. I understand you are away on business and won’t be back for three weeks. When you get home, I want you to give me a call.” She followed up with her information.

  I happily abide and take down her number along with another swig of Uncle Jimmy’s drink of choice. I hang up the phone and walk downstairs in a trance.

  “They have to go!” Wilson points to his ceiling, referring to Aunt Grace and Uncle Jimmy. “You said a couple nights. It’s been three.” He holds up two fingers. “Two equals a couple.”

  “I thought they were keeping to themselves. I have all their television shows written out for them, all their food laid out. What possibly can they be doing to aggravate you?” I’m baffled.

  “This.” He holds up a long piece of wood. “You don’t know what this is, do you?”

  Slowly I say no, and keep my eye on him just in case he is going to bash me over the head with it. I must admit my reflexes are a little off at the moment. Those couple swigs of vodka and the call from Judith Light are having an effect.

  “It’s the bottom part of the guest bedroom door. Or as you refer to it, Lucy’s bedroom door, aka Aunt Grace and Uncle Jimmy’s temporary home.” Gently he places it back on the floor next to the couch, like a weapon.

  I can’t hold my laughter in. I snort with delight.

  “Are you losing your mind? Have you been hanging around them too long?” Wilson shouts. “I came home to Uncle Jimmy sawing it off. He took the door off the hinges, took the door outside and sawed it off because he doesn’t like the way it drags the carpet when he opens or closes the door.” He reaches down and picks it up again. “Three inches, Hallie. Now there is a huge gap between the floor and the door. Three inches, to be specific. Doesn’t he realize the carpet is a rug?”

  I don’t laugh or say a word. I march upstairs to find Uncle Jimmy refilling our bonding glass.

  “Get upstairs and get your things. You’re going home.” He doesn’t protest. He gets up and goes upstairs. “You can keep the robe.”

  We drive in silence back to their building. Luckily the extermination is complete and everyone can move back in.

  With her head hung low, Aunt Grace follows Uncle Jimmy into their apartment building. I’ve had enough.

  What happened to three quiet months away? It’s been anything but that. My secret crush on Bo did crash and burn. My favorite job is now a chore. My beading hobby is consuming every ounce of free time. My girlfriends are going in different directions. My running … well, my running is down the drain. At least I have Henry.

  On my way home from taking Aunt Grace and Uncle Jimmy home, I drive through Hyde Park and notice light on at One Bead at a Time. Through the window I can see Dee cleaning. I pull into a parking space in front of the store and park.

  “Need some help?” I open the door.

  I’m more than willing to clean because there is no way I can go home and relax after my evening.

  She throws a cleaning rag at me. “Go for it. What’s got you wound tight?”

  I tell her about Judith Light, and my problem with Aunt Grace and Uncle Jimmy.

  “What are you going to do?” Dee is separating the beads back into their appropriate bins.

  “I'm going to give Gucci my full twelve weeks here. That is all I committed to.” I help gather the trash bags around the tables. “Do you think I have the talent to pull this off?”

  Doubt creeps in. This is the first time in my life I’ve to rely on myself for a paycheck, not a corporation.

  “Are you kidding me?” Dee put her arm around my shoulders. “I saw the talent the first day you strung that one bead. I wouldn’t have asked you to sell your designs in my store if I thought they were bad.” She sprays down the tables and wipes them off. “And to think it all started here.”

  It feels good to hear a compliment after the day I’ve had. “You do know your name is in the magazine’s advertising section from the photo shoot?”

  The delight is apparent. “Looks like you need to be making me some new jewelry.” We work in silence for the next few minutes.

  “I’m going to tell people I taught you everything you know. I might even go on the Jerry Springer show.”

  “Truth be told, this wouldn’t have been possible if it weren’t for your encouragement. Thank you.” It’s important for her to know how much she means to me. “I’m forever indebted to you.”

  A knock on the glass echoes. We look over at the teenager with her hands pressed up against the clean glass.

  The clock on the wall reads nine at night, which isn’t too late for the group of teenagers to be out in the square on this warm summer night.

  “I was walking by and noticed you were here,” she says. “I want to order a bracelet and see if you can have it done by next week. It’s my mom’s birthday gift.”

  “Hold on.” I go back in and scribble my name and number on a piece of paper. “This is my address, stop by. I want to talk to you too.”

  She takes the paper and rips it in half.

  “This is my number in case you need it.” She quickly writes it down. “See you soon.”

  Natalie.

  She looks like a Natalie with her long dark eyelashes and black hair. In fact she kind of reminds me of the actress Natalie Wood.

  I watch her run down the street, catching up with the group of girls near the fountain. I notice her short orange Adidas shorts, gray tank,
tennis shoes and long dark ponytail. Just a normal teenager.

  “What’s was that?” Dee put the sweeper away.

  “She has a cool idea for a bracelet that we are going to discuss.”

  Even though I trust Dee, I keep my ideas to myself. I have a few designs specifically for moms that I need to work on. It would be perfect for Natalie’s gift to her mom.

  Chapter Forty Six

  “There’s nothing we can do to keep you?” Charlie asks after I told him I won’t be returning to Gucci after my twelve weeks are up.

  “No, sir.” The lump in my throat is bigger, almost cutting my airway off. I know Beatrice is a great replacement. I’ve trained her to the best of my ability. Charlie isn’t quite sold, however.

  “I agree she’s come a long way,” he says, “but this is her first job with us and she needs to know the company inside and out.”

  “Sir, if you think I know everything about Gucci, I’d love for you to meet Beatrice in person. She’s a quick learner and knows more than I do. Even the International line.”

  It’s true. She’s been telling me what Europe and Italy are doing. I shoo her in my office, shut the door so they can talk, and man the phones in her absence. Buttons here, buttons there, green ones, red ones. I have no idea what to do. I just push the blinking ones.

  “Gucci boutique, this is Hallie. How can I assist you?” This is actually a little fun.

  I would never be able to be Miss Happy Go Lucky all the time, but for the moment it’s entertaining me.

  “First, you can have dinner with me.” My heart skips a beat hearing Bo’s voice. “Next week, I am coming to work on the Burger Beer deal. What do you say?”

  “Um…” I stutter.

  He completely catches me off guard. There is a week to plan and come up with a smart-ass dig and put everything out there on the line. Set the boundaries as running partners only.

  “Sure,” I say. I don’t tell him about me leaving Gucci. I’m sure Piper will do enough talking for all three of us. “Give me a call when you get in town and we’ll take it from there.”