“People will be outside for the luau. We’ll have it in the parking lot and advertise for people to bring lawn chairs. They can even spread blankets on the grassy area between the parking lot and the road.”
Bonnie grasped for anything to slow her mother’s plans. “But we’d have to get the mall owner’s permission. Maybe even a permit from the town.”
She arched a brow at her mother doubtfully. “I don’t think the town council will grant one. It’s awfully short notice.”
For one small moment, something flickered in her mother’s eyes. Like a candle’s flame when a sudden breeze hits it. But only briefly. All too quickly, determination flared like a steady flame in Rita’s light-colored eyes, causing Bonnie’s shoulders to sag slightly inside her Bonnie’s BBQ t-shirt.
“If I didn’t realize what a good thing this would be for the shop owners in the mall, I’d think you want me to forget this whole thing.”
There it was. That tone that somehow combined hurt and patience. Bonnie inwardly cringed at it. Outwardly, she ducked her head to hide her true feelings as she answered Rita.
“Of course not, Mother. Your other ideas for special sales have been a huge help to me, and you do have a knack for knowing what the public wants. Only, don’t they usually bury a pig in coals and cook it that way. I don’t know how—”
“We’ll sell pulled pork sandwiches. Use the smoker behind the mall, like usual. People will love a pineapple garnish. That’ll be all the Hawaiian they need.”
But the permits—”
“All taken care of, darling. Since mother knows best, I went ahead and got them. I’ve even collected money from the other strip mall tenants. We’ve more than enough to pay for the port-a-potty rentals and to cover the cost of the band.”
That grabbed Bonnie’s attention. “Band? What kind of lollapalooza have you planned!” Fear at managing her mother’s scheme blossomed, causing the tightness to start.
Automatically, Bonnie pulled off her clear plastic gloves and reached for a small paper bag emblazoned with her business logo. Before the hyperventilation took hold, she had the white bag at her mouth and was breathing into it.
“Honestly, Bonnie! You’d think I’d just told you I’d robbed a bank the way you panic.” Rita’s inflection told her daughter what Bonnie already knew. Any sympathy her mother felt about Bonnie’s panic attacks had dried up long ago.
While her daughter’s breathing grew steady and even, Rita continued detailing her plans. “You don’t have a big part to play. Just plan how the food can safely be sold. Oh and,” her mother’s voice broke off for a moment. “I have a costume for you to wear. You’ll introduce the band and give a few hula tips.”
The white bag went flat at Bonnie’s sudden gasp. “What do I know about dancing the hula?”
Rita’s hands fixed on her hips as she narrowed her eyes. “Gracious, Bonnie. You and your friend—Darcy wasn’t it—took that trip to Hawaii last year. You must have learned something at that resort where you stayed.”
Warmth filled her at the memory. Darcy, her best friend since the day they’d both refused to eat paste like the other children in preschool, had won the trip. Since it was an all-expenses paid trip for two, she’d invited Bonnie to go with her. Before they’d flown home that week, Darcy met her husband and became engaged.
Thinking about it pulled a wistful sigh from Bonnie. “That was such a fun week. Watching Darcy and Sean had been like living in a romance novel.”
Quietly, Rita muttered, “Yes, think romance.”
“What?” The daughter’s wandering thoughts returned to her mother. “Why do you want me to think about romance?”
A patient smile curved Rita’s lips. While Bonnie couldn’t see it, she knew it was there by the crinkled corners of her mother’s eyes. “Well, it will help you dance the hula better, of course. That’s all.”
Narrowing her eyes skeptically, Bonnie asked, “Are you planning something? You’re not setting me up on another of those terrible blind dates, are you? The last guy even made me pay for the meal!”
With a tsk, the poker-faced mother waved her right hand. “Darling, this is only a Christmas in July luau. We need to bring a little summer fun to this little town. Not everything is about you, sweetheart.”
That last sentence raised even more concern. Her mother only said it when she was up to something and didn’t want to admit it. From the older woman’s expression, Bonnie knew it would do no good to pry.
Her mother wouldn’t crack under questioning. Bonnie shook her head at her mother as she moved toward the front door where a patron waited for her order. Like clockwork, Nancy Jones arrived from the local dentist’s office each day at this time. The ladies there had been great customers.
Holding out the square reader, Bonnie let Nancy scan her credit card. As she handed Nancy the large bag full of white clam shells, Bonnie caught a movement at the corner of her right eye.
Turning her blonde head, the restaurant owner gaped. Rita already had posters printed and was hanging one in the plate-glass window.
“What a great idea, Bonnie! Everyone needs an excuse to come together.”
Bonnie looked doubtfully at her customer. “You don’t think I’m pushing things since I can’t seat them inside yet.”
Nancy quickly shook her dark hair. “Not at all. People love summer events, and this might be the closest I ever get to Hawaii.”
Then she gave a rueful snort. “I definitely need a little ‘Christmas in July’ cheer. It’s been rough since Jim lost his job at the factory over in Janesville.”
Like lots of places in the country, local factories and businesses had laid off workers. Not all of them had been called back
