After Peggy rattled my cage, I decided to grab a bite to eat at one of the Inn's restaurants, The Waterfall. I ordered my seafood salad. Now I have had my share of salads but this one had some of everything in it: lettuce, blue crab, gulf shrimp, cherry tomatoes, hardwood smoked bacon, blue cheese, avocado, garlic croutons, and citrus vinaigrette. I people-watched for about an hour or so and decided to tour the rest of the Inn. I stopped in the gift shop and bought some caramel popcorn, a bottle of sweet citrus lotion, some chocolate, a journal, and a cute butterfly pen. I spent most of my teen years up until my mid-twenties writing in a journal and stopped after I got married. The message on the journal's cover caught my attention “Live Life Fully" that was my motivation.
I strolled the Inn’s hall, exchanged smiles with a few people, and heard Sara shouting. "This can't be happening. What am I going to do now?” She slammed the phone into its cradle.
Poor thing was slumped over, sobbing.
Keep walking, I told myself, but felt my legs walking toward her.
"Sara, what's wrong?" I asked.
"I'm doomed," she said, sounding bewildered.
"I'm sure whatever it is, it'll be alright."
"No, I have 200 guests arriving in two hours for a wedding reception and the wedding coordinator that I hired can't come because she was in a wreck last night."
"Okay, does she have a back-up that can come in her place?"
"No, she works solo," Sara said, dabbing her eyes with a Kleenex.
"Who's over banquets here?"
"I am, but I don't handle the décor. I only tell my kitchen staff what food to fix, and I hire someone to come in and do the decorations. I can't let this couple down. I've got to find someone ASAP or my boss will put me on the chopping block."
"I'll do it." I heard myself say.
"You will, but how?" Sara said, sounding a little bit more chipper.
"Since the banquet room already has tables and chairs, all you need is some centerpieces. We can go and purchase those or buy supplies to make them. Did you order linen for the tables?"
"Yes, Althea, my kitchen supervisor, is dressing the tables now."
"What are the wedding colors?"
"Purple and silver."
"Is there a Michael’s, Dollar Tree, or Hobby Lobby in the area?"
"There's a Michael's and a Dollar Tree, it’s a fifteen-minute drive from here, but I can't leave now.”
"No worries, I'll go and pick up the items for you." I volunteered.
Sara rushed into the office and retrieved the company credit card and handed it to me. I went to my room, got my purse and keys, peeped in the banquet room, and snapped a couple of pictures of the tables. I wanted to make sure that I matched the colors perfectly.
My adrenaline was on ten when I got in the car headed to pick up the decorations.
I can't believe I just volunteered to decorate for a wedding reception. Years ago I was an assistant to my friend Janet who was a party planner. She and her husband, Derrick, moved to Houston. Although it’s been a while, I still have some skills.
My first stop was Dollar Tree. A lot of people sleep on them, but they have some of the nicest things. I got the bulk of my items that I needed from there.
When I got back, Althea had linen on each table and placed the plates and silverware in their proper place. She was ready to jump in to help me.
We made twenty simple, but elegant, centerpieces for each table. The centerpieces were vases with a silver tree branch, filled halfway with clear marbles and purple rose petals at the bottom of the branch of each tree and petals throughout the branches as well. Each vase had four small tealight candles surrounding it.
"Wow! This looks beautiful." Sara jumped up and down and hugged me.
"I'm glad you like it." I smiled.
"How much do I owe you?" she asked.
"I don't know how much this sort of thing costs. Just pay me what you can."
"I assume you do this for a living," Althea stated.
"Oh, no. I used to be my friend’s assistant for her party planning and decorating business, and I hosted home interior parties years ago. I attend the Pinners Conference every year and watch YouTube videos on how to do crafts."
"You really should think about doing this as a business. Heck, I'd hire you to be over our banquets. I certainly could use the help," Sara said.
"I agree we could use your help." Althea flashed a smile.
At that moment I had as Oprah would say “an aha moment” I could see myself as a banquet coordinator. All the while Althea and I were working on those centerpieces, it brought me joy. I enjoyed every minute of it. I hadn't thought twice about it. I just jumped in. I jumped into something new. Something that brings me joy.
"Okay, I'll take you up on that offer,” I told Sara.
"Tomorrow we'll do all of the paperwork and you'll officially be a part of the team."
"Welcome aboard," Althea said and left to go to the kitchen.
Wait, did I just accept a job without even thinking twice about Tommy or the kids? What am I thinking?
I know what I’m thinking. I’m finally thinking about me.
“Let me think about it.” I managed to say.
“We can give you an advance if need be. Summer is our busiest time of the year. We have weddings or receptions scheduled almost every weekend. So please take as much time as you need. You can stay in the room you're in or you can transfer to a larger villa."
I half-listened to Sara rattle off the benefits that they offered and eventually ended the conversation with her by telling her I'd give her a definite answer tomorrow.
Once inside my room, I showered and prepared to spend the evening writing in my new journal. I wrote:
Today has been scary fun, if that's such a thing. How did I go from housewife to now possible Banquet Manager? But this is what I wanted, right? A new start. But why am I half excited and half scared all at the same time. What do I do? Should I start over here? I just need the Lord to give me some sort of sign. I love my family. Do I really want to leave them? Lord help me figure this out. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
I closed my journal and placed it on the nightstand.
Now I'm not a big-time churchgoer, but I do pray and watch Dr. Tony Evans online. Church has too much entertainment for me. You always gotta turn and touch your neighbor and don't get me started on the choir remixing songs and singing them for thirty minutes.
My phone made its humming noise to let me know I had a text message and, of course, it was from Tommy.
Tommy: Guess you big mad at me. Look I ain't perfect but I love you Reecie!
He hasn't called me Reecie in years. That’s another pet name he gave me when we first started dating.
Tommy: Please call me so we can talk.