Tod lifted both hands like he was reaching to God in front of his congregation while doing a three-sixty. “This space. You’ve captured it. It’s going to be remarkable.”
“What are you two doing, hanging with sex workers?” Martha surfaced from her perusal of Alexis’s wedding book to ask Raye and me.
“We have a wide range of friends,” I said.
“Like no-filter, nosy neighbors,” Raye added.
“Take your point,” Martha mumbled and went back to Alexis’s book.
We heard the security gate open, and we all turned to see Cap start to walk in.
“Cap!” Tod yelled.
We then saw Cap take note of the scrapbooks, the diagrams, the easels, turn on his boot and walk out.
Raye laughed.
“Men!” Tod groused.
“Are we partying?” Luna called from her open doorway.
“And party planning,” Raye called back. “Get your ass out here.”
“Bring booze!” Martha yelled.
“And snacks!” Zach added.
“Gotcha!” Luna returned.
“We need something so we can attach the swatches to the diagrams without ruining these beautiful illustrations,” Tod said, his index finger and thumb forming an L on his cheek and jaw as he stared at the posters. “Maybe Stevie will run out and get some Blu Tack for us.”
“Tod, I’ve flown in and out of Sky Harbor countless times, but I’ve only been to Phoenix to visit once, so I’d have no clue where to ‘run out’ to get Blu Tack,” Stevie remarked. Then to Alexis, Martha and me. “We’re both flight attendants.”
“Ah,” I said.
“No worries. Bill and I have some. BRB,” Zach said and jogged again to his apartment.
I texted Gabe about the change in plans that evening, then grabbed my glass to take a sip.
Alexis was looking through Raye’s book.
Martha was saying to Tod, “You need lights on the bunting along the railings, so it’ll be seen when it gets dark.”
“Mental note!” Tod exclaimed.
Raye sat back smiling.
Stevie just sat, smiling at Tod.
Linda was making her way to us carrying a pitcher of margaritas in one hand and some glasses in the other.
I sat safe in the knowledge that Gabe was laughing and smiling again, and that gave his family relief.
And another evening descended on the Oasis.
TWENTY-THREE
ALL OUT FOR LOVE
