When the Sandpiper Calls

Monday, February 16, 2004 Hellooo, Mystery Lady!" Christy had just stepped out of her car onto the concrete parking lot of Frank's Steak and Seafood Restaurant. Hoisting tote bag and purse, she turned with a smile, knowing who owned that voice. "Hey, Bonnie. It's good to see you." Bonnie Taylor sat behind the wheel of her l990 baby blue Cadillac, her dark face framed by the open window. Beneath the window, How Sweet It Is swirled in red cursive across the door. "Wait a minute, honey." The long blue car floated past and turned into the parking spot in front of the No Parking sign. The door flew open, and Bonnie unfolded from the car, a huge red purse swinging from her arm. It always amazed Christy that a woman almost six feet tall and well over two hundred pounds could move with such grace A feathered red hat and purple pantsuit announced her attendance at the Red Hat luncheon with her chapter, Sassy Snowbirds of Summer Breeze. The chapter had originated with a group of ladies from Canada and the northeast who wintered in the Florida Panhandle, bringing news of the Red Hat Society from their hometowns. Their red hats had captured the attention of locals, and as a result, the ladies of Summer Breeze had joined Sassy Snowbirds in spreading fun, friendship, and good deeds. Christy reached up to give Bonnie a hug, inhaling cinnamon and cloves. It was fun to hug Bonnie because she always smelled of spices from her famous pie kitchen. "Bonnie, I assume you saw the No Parking sign." "Yeah, but my knees are hurting today, so I take special privileges." Her lips spread in a wide, wicked grin. "I'm big. I'm black. And I'm a woman. Frank's afraid I'll yell discrimination. Or he's just afraid of me, period." Christy laughed. "I don't think Frank's afraid of anything." "Heard you were our guest speaker, so I made a special effort to be here. But hold on a minute." Bonnie's hand shot into the huge purse and whipped out a compact, popped it open, and held it in front of Christy. Christy faced her reflection and winced. Her mascara was smudged, leaving a glob beneath her left eye. "Here." Bonnie handed her a Kleenex. "Thanks." Christy scrubbed the smear, leaving a red mark instead. She blinked, peered into the mirror, and surveyed her reflection with a critical eye. Her blue eyes seemed too big for her oval face, and her lips looked too thin. Well, not thin exactly. Just not full enough. And the pink gloss felt sticky on her lips. Nerves she just had a case of nerves. Which was why she had lost a page from her carefully typed speech. She smoothed her brown hair, a layered cut that twirled around her face and waved to her neckline. Sun streaks were natural, but those who hadn't known her long thought she paid a hairstylist for the look she took for granted. Otherwise she appeared normal. But she didn't feel normal. She hated making speeches. She sighed, thinking it wouldn't be the first time she'd had to wing it. She looked up at Bonnie. "Better?" Bonnie grinned. "Now you look terrific." "You should see me when I crawl out of bed. I worked hard for this." She waved a hand from her face down the straight, pink linen dress. "You'd look good in a straw hat and overalls, but listen..." Bonnie paused, glancing around. "This may not be the best day for your speech." Christy stuffed the Kleenex in her purse and surveyed the cDarty, Peggy is the author of 'When the Sandpiper Calls' with ISBN 9781578569045 and ISBN 1578569044.