Episode 5: Headaches and Barbeques

(First Timer? Read from the start)

Sunday, August 17, 2008 at 10:05 am

“Hello? Make sure the cat is fed. He has green toes. Greeeeeeeeen toweeees.”  This is the incoherent murmuring and slurring I was greeted with this morning when I called Cindi. It did not take long for me to discern that she was still under the inebriating effects of her last tequila shot as well as the two mojitos and more than likely the pain of swollen feet from salsa dancing in 4 inch Steve Madden leopard print heels and having her toes mercilessly crushed by an awkward yet cute beginner. I had to laugh out loud and just hang up the phone.

I was equally tired though not as drunk however, I could never bring myself to sleep past 9am no matter how late I was up.  We also had to prepare coleslaw and mash potatoes for a barbeque and had to meet by 11am to buy the ingredients. We had gone to Havana Village in Adams Morgan to relive graduate/law school days with an old classmate of Jaz and hang-out buddy of ours who was visiting. We always got a kick out of being skillfully steered around the dance floor by older accommodating men.  

I guess I could go to the store by myself but she is so adamant that she was in charge of the coleslaw because she had this “special recipe” she has used since high-school. She was certain that Allister her best guy friend from law school always requested only her “special coleslaw” at his annual barbeque and so only she could make it the way he liked.  Frankly, I’ve tasted the coleslaw and I can’t tell the difference between hers and the typical supermarket brand except that she adds mangoes to her recipe. Deep down I think Allister found a great way to get her to make it every year as well as attend his barbeque. I always chuckle at all the fuss she makes over the recipe.

I will call her again in an hour and hopefully she will be ready. In the meantime I think I will go to the 10:30am hatha class at Boundless Yoga on U St. I’ve been trying to make this class for the last three months but for some reason my schedule always gets inundated with other items that are higher up on my to do list like brunch, MTV reruns or the occasional household project.

Sunday, August 17, 2008 at 11:38 am

“Cindi, girl are you ready to head out to Harris Teeter? Darling, we have to get all the prep and cooking done so we can head out by 4pm. Afterall the barbeque starts at 3.” I was hoping she was ready to go. I hated being late and even worst late beyond fashionable.

“Uhhh…I feel like 3 conga drums are beating away at my cranium. What they hey? Why are you so chipper?”

“Just got out of yoga. I am coming over.  We’ve got to head to the grocery store. You can come or I can grab the store brand coleslaw.” I said already aware of the obvious.

“Oh no! All I need is some coffee and I am ready. Ciao!”

That worked well, I thought to myself.

Sunday, August 17, 2008 at 3:57 pm

“Jaz are you ready? We are outside.”

“Dang! I see your Jeep. I’ll be down in a minute.” She exclaimed while waving from her fourth floor apartment of her 16^th Street building.

She bobbitty-bopped towards the car with her usual Tupperware of flaxseed, aÇai and walnut brownies wearing her white shorts, t-shirt and sandals ensemble.

“Aaah!!” the alarming scream came as she careened down the final stair.  Thankfully she used her 15 years of dancing tutelage to skillfully stop her fall and save the healthy/unhealthy treat.

Cindi ran over and gave her a tissue.

Sunday, August 17, 2008 at 4:09 am

“That was a close call.” She said with a deep sigh while inspecting her unharmed white outfit. “Diane you promised last tuesday to give me an update on that guy you met at Co Co. Sala after your date.” Jaz continued as we started on our way.

“Nothing much to say. He had to cancel our scheduled date last Thursday because of an emergency at one of his restaurants. We are going to meet on Monday which is a slower day in restaurant land. More urgent, we must brainstorm about Maryanne thinking that I stole Sam’s job.” 

“Huh?!” They both reacted in unisom. 

“Did not want to bring up earlier but a 40 minute drive to Baltimore is a good time to discuss.” I explained.

 

Episode 3: Lima or Bust!

(First Timer? Read from the start)

Monday, July 28th – 7:45 pm

By the time I got to Lima I was so ready to hang out with the girls! As I arrived, the maître d handed me a complimentary drink with white foam on top. I had no idea what the drink was… it seemed like they were celebrating a Peruvian holiday and it was part of the festivities. The crowd was more than usual, so I had to pause for a bit in order to locate Cindi and Jaz in the crowd.  They were not on the lime green couches outside so I had to walk inside to find them. There they were sitting on the stools with a pitcher of my fav mango mojito. The pitcher and Jaz’s orange ruffled shirt would’ve been hard to miss in the crowd inside.

“Hey Loves!” I said walking quickly over to them since a Diva would never run in crowd.

Kiss Kisses to both of them. I missed my girls. I sat down tossing aside the complimentary whatever it was they handed me outside. Not that I was a lush by I knew already what would hit the spot.

“Jaz, I love that color orange on you. Those sandals are simply divine.“ Her shoes were a simple below the ankle gladiator with gold leather straps with orange, red and purple crystals. “Where did you get those?”

“Girl these are just another purchase from my trip to Italy last Fall.  I’ve been getting compliments on them all day.  So what is up with all the work drama?” Jaz inquired.

“Ahh. Yeah. Sorry I could not talk earlier – now spill it. What is up with you and crazy Maryanne?” Cindi chimed while removing her cardigan.

After my first sip, I told them about the entire day. I was so relieved when the story was over. I have to admit, I paused about whether or not to tell them what Maryanne said about me stealing Sam’s job. This was the first time I was beginning to realize that she might have stayed on at the office in-house happy hour a month ago to celebrate the closing of a deal. I thought Jerry and I were the only ones left in the building that night. I am not sure I wanted to tell the girls what happened that night and what I thought Maryanne might know. Or by now everyone else at the office, since I was still sort of embarrassed. I decided for now not to tell them.

“Girl, I am so glad you made it through all that drama. That girl was trouble from your first day. Let’s toast to a great night of fun and moving on.” Jaz yelled out excitedly. We all raised our glasses and then high-fived.  I just wanted not to think about it anymore.

Cindi gave me a hug and then she called out, “ladies, y’all hear the music downstairs? Thank goodness for mojitos. I think I wanna go find me a cutey.”  She got up to head out.

“Girl, you look great. Are you losing weight?” I noticed a difference in her.

“Yeah girl. My spinning class is working its magic.”

“I can tell. Your muscles are beginning to look cut. If you wanna go dance, I am right behind you.” I got up and we headed out. When we got downstairs Cindi disappeared into the restroom and came back with her long hair flowing. I called it her man-catcher look. Since, for some reason men, no matter what their nationality like long hair.

“Cindi why did I know you were going to do that.” I looked are her smiling while shaking my head. My own hair was a short pixie cut. I liked my hair short and easy to manage. Her response to me was some crazy salsa move. Before she got on the dance floor, this Hispanic looking guy grabbed her hands and started twirling her around. Surprisingly, she moved well in her striped Ann Taylor slacks with Brooks Brothers fitted short sleeved dress shirt. Even in her professional wear she still looked like a sultry diva.

Jaz and I moved on the sidelines. “Girl check out my new phone.” She showed me the new Verizon Blackberry. 

“Wow, that’s like a minimum of $130 a month!” I blurted out. I tended to be a conservative spender.

“I know but with all my freelancing gigs I need a way to answer emails.”

“Hey Diego, these are my friends Diane and Jaz.” Cindi came over smiling and perspiring. Diego was cuter up close than I would’ve thought. It so happened that he had four equally cute friends who were also friendly.

Jaz and I perked up immediately as we all returned to the dance floor.

To be continued …