Page 114 of Murder By the Millions
We arrived at Feast for the Eyes two hours before the party was to start. Tegan and the servers we’d hired were in full swing, prepping tables, moving our modest lectern into place, and transporting “on hold” books to the stockroom. Chloe, clad in a red tiered-tassel dress that swished with every step, was tweaking all the printed quotes fromGatsbythat were tilting.
I studied one of Nick’s quotes, the one referring to wealth and class inequality, and thought of Finette.In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice I’ve been turning over in my mind ever since. “Whenever you feel like criticizing any one,” he told me, “just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.”I believed Fitzgerald wrote it to remind us, the readers,that much of a person’s success might be due to their wealthy upbringing and not their skill. Certainly Nick had struggled with the principle.
Chloe rounded an endcap and stood beside me. She pointed to a different quote. “I love this one. ‘Reserving judgments is a matter of infinite hope.’ It’s so Nick. It sets him up for the reader as a truthful narrator. We can trust he’ll continue to tell us the real story throughout.” She sighed. “If only life were that way and everyone was honest.”
“If only,” I echoed.
Lillian and a team of designers from the community theater had come in earlier in the morning and arranged the décor. Three brass torchiere lamps dripped with strands of pearls. A number of oversized black vases boasted huge white plumes. Lamé drapes adorned the front door and the stockroom entrance. Each of the tables was covered with a gold tablecloth and set with platters of food. Lillian had acquired exquisite Art Deco tiered cookie and cake stands. On the sales counter stood a pair of gorgeous candlesticks fitted with white candles.
A bartender with a knack for mixed drinks stood at the bar near the sales counter, prepared to make old-fashioneds and sidecars. Those particular cocktails were all the rage in the 1920s. In addition, we were offering champagne, lemonade, and sparkling water.
To the right, in the open space, we’d laid out a ten-by-ten parquet floor in case anyone wanted to “cut a rug.” No longer thinking we should erect a coffee bar there, I began to fantasize about making the unused section of the bookstore a mini gift shop. We could sell specialty bookmarks, book-themed jewelry, mugs, and other paraphernalia. I hadn’t mentioned the idea to Tegan yet. It could wait for now.
Tegan moseyed to me. “We’re ready to go.”
“I love the music.”
“Me too.”
We hadn’t agreed to Vanna’s idea of hiring a band, but Tegan had had the brilliant idea of putting her sister in charge of the playlist. She’d embraced the responsibility. “Rhapsody in Blue” was playing through the speakers at the moment.
“I’m going to change into my gown,” she said.
At a quarter to three Reika strolled into the shop, looking bright-eyed and eager. Her elegant floor-length burgundy gown adorned with black beads and fringes swished as she walked. While adjusting the cap sleeves of the matching dress cape, she said, “Allie, it looks fabulous.”
“We couldn’t have done it without all the finishing touches the museum and the theater provided.”
She motioned to someone outside.
The weathered, silver-haired man I’d seen sitting at the town council meeting pushed a beverage cart into the shop and paused. On the cart were dozens of Prohibition-style glasses.
“Roy, this is Allie,” she said, confirming my suspicion.
“Pleased to meet you, miss.” His voice was filled with warmth. The quaint way he saidmisswas genteel. He smoothed the lapels of his pin-striped jacket and gave the hem a tug.
“Push the cart over to the beverage table, Roy,” Reika said. “Thank you, love.”
Roy fondly cupped Reika’s chin and pecked her on the cheek before following her directions to the letter.
I stepped closer to Reika and slipped a hand around her elbow. “He’s back?”
“Yes. We’re going to couples therapy.”
“Wonderful. Um, are you going to be okay around liquor?” I motioned to the bar area.
“I am. I’m completely back on my program. I’ve already seen a hypnotist. It’s working. I have no cravings whatsoever. No feelings of self-loathing, thanks to your suggestion. I even thinkI can manage a trip on the water. And …” She twirled. “You’ll notice I’m sans Amira.”
“How is that possible?” Her bulldog went everywhere with her.
“I’m feeling confident. Strong. Mind you, that doesn’t mean I won’t take my sweet girl to work and such, but if I’m going to sail with Roy, I need to be able to be dog free. My assistant is eager to give her a temporary home.”
“I’m so happy for you.”
Vanna and Noeline entered the shop, and I excused myself to Reika.
Tegan, who looked sassy in her navy blue–and-silver flapper dress—the floral beading was exquisite—beat me to her family and hugged them. “Go change,” she whispered to me.
“On it. But before I go, ladies, you look fabulous. I love hot pink on you, Vanna. It really lights up your face.”
