“I’m looking forward to it. I haven’t been to Nora House since that tornado. I can hardly believe we’re all back here.”
“Okay, I’ve got a few things to do, and then I’m going to drive us over on my new toy. He’s invited Tag, is that cool with you?”
Viv didn’t want to be paired up with Tag like they were a couple, but she also enjoyed his company.
“It’s fine. What can I bring, did Libby say?”
“I’m handling it, I’ve got wine, and Hope’s doing a ton of food. Just bring your beautiful self.”
Viv sighed. She knew she should get a gift or wine or something for her first visit to Nora House since they’d been to Irish Hills. It was polite. It was what she should do.
“You are all treating me like a baby. I know how to be a good guest.”
Goldie reached out and grabbed her hand.
“I know you do. But you’re not a guest. None of us are. This is home. You’ll see. Now, be ready at noon. I’ll honk when we’re ready to go.”
“Thank you, love.”
Viv went up to her room. She had overtaken a corner with the little sewing machine and bits and bobs she’d collected. In the closet hung about a dozen of her creations. She’d made one a day since her plunder at Tag’s.
Kaftans or tunics or muumuus, whatever you wanted to call them, were what had sparked her creative passion. It was unexpected, and she was supposed to be creating more career wear. But she just couldn’t. Business-like, neutral, and in control—she didn’t feel any of those things right now.
What she wanted was something flowing, comfortable, regal even. She was maybe in her Mrs. Roper phase. Did all women get a Mrs. Roper phase? Maybe it would pass. But the moment she put that cover-up on in Tag’s place, she was hot to buy more.
Except she didn’t see any that she really loved. She searched online, retail stores, eBay, and Poshmark; nothing was right.
And just like that, she started sketching what she wanted. Her pencil flew over the paper, and then she switched from her black pencil to her colored pencils.
The sketches were vibrant and flowing, and they kept coming. She had to bring them into the world. Tag had helped her get the materials and then replenish them when she ran out. Viv just kept going.
All the while, Siena thought she was napping or at the least working on a new line for Vivian Blackwood, but instead, it was these kaftans.
She had silk, satin, cotton, linen, and chiffon.
She’d experimented with different cuts and necklines. Each one was a little different. But she was starting to get a feel for three styles that she liked the best. That said, it wasn’t cookie-cutter. She liked doing each by hand. She liked detailing them and embellishing them with trim that made each piece its own creation. Today, for their trip to Nora House and their day on the boat, she would debut her favorite.
The garment was lavender with gold detailing. It was silk, and she had gold sandals to pair with it.
She lifted it over her head. There was a little twinge when she made the motion, but the doctor had told her things would get more comfortable. The flowy kaftan eliminated her worrying about what to wear or how to be, it was light, feminine, and beautiful, and she was starting to see Elizabeth Taylor.
Viv stepped in front of the mirror. Viv didn’t cringe. For the first time in a long while, she felt pleased with what she saw. J.J. had given her an adorable hairstyle. Her hair was full on the top, with choppy layers all around. There was some shape to it. It moved when she did. It had life. It was chic but, dare she say it, sexy!
She was even inspired to put on a little makeup. Viv had dark circles these days, but she was also good at covering them. She dabbed on some concealer, a little mascara, and some blush. A swipe of lip gloss. She was ready.
Viv smiled at her reflection. Her heart felt light. She felt beautiful. When was the last time she felt that? She honestly didn’t know.
She jumped a foot or so in the air when she heard the honk coming from the waterside, not the front entrance of the hotel.
Viv looked outside to the water, and there was Goldie about to lay on the horn again to the most ostentation pontoon boat she’d ever seen.
Viv watched Joe tie it to the dock and Tag walk out to the thing. She had a little worry, could Tag get onboard without a helping hand? But she watched as he lifted his bum leg and hopped on with his good leg. He didn’t let his rehab stop him. He’d shed the crutches of late and had a boot that he could more easily navigate.
Viv grabbed her bag and decided it was a good attitude to have. She wasn’t going to let the last few months ruin the next few weeks. Her days may be numbered, but if they were, they were going to be fun days.
She went outside to the boat.
“What in the name of all that is good and holy is this thing?”
