Page 54 of Girl Between
“Not as long as you promise me a raincheck on dinner,” he said.
“Raincheck it is,” Dana agreed, grinning again.
“Then I’ll let it slide.” George gestured toward his bathroom. “Come on. Cadie’s as punctual as she is annoying.”
52
Dana gazedat her reflection in the full-length mirror. The yellow linen dress Cadie let her borrow wrapped around her like a second skin, cutting a striking image. Dana was taller than the petite woman, but besides the hem falling just below her knees, it fit well.
A bit too well for Dana’s liking.
Form-fitting clothes required more thought than she usually dedicated to her wardrobe, but in this case, she made an exception. Stress and sleepless nights had melted away enough of her curves that the feminine dress actually looked flattering on her and most importantly, it was dry.
Her wet clothes had been whisked away by Cadie while Dana showered. Once she was dressed, Cadie insisted Dana finish getting ready at her mother’s house with her and the rest of the women. And from the fervent knocking on the bathroom door, Dana had used all the time she’d been allotted.
She ran her fingers through her towel-dried hair. It was already beginning to curl thanks to the humidity that had returned with a vengeance now that the rain stopped.
With a final look in the mirror Dana accepted her less than polished complexion. She felt naked without her glasses, but she’dswapped them for contacts before her run. She often used her glasses as something to hide behind. It was a comfort she missed when she stepped out of the guest bathroom to the curious stares from all the women in the George family.
Their invitation to allow her to partake in the potomitan ceremony was too rare a gift to pass up. But Dana couldn’t help wishing she’d been invited under purely academic pretenses. She had a strong suspicion the offer came with strings attached. Strings that included courting the ruggedly charming detective she’d stood up to be here.
Deciding to ignore the familial meddling for the time being, Dana rolled up her proverbial sleeves and joined the chaos in the kitchen. “How can I help?” she asked over the din of voices and lively Caribbean music.
“Come, come, bébé,” Cadie’s mother encouraged, gesturing for Dana to join the assembly line of women at her kitchen counter. “Here,” she said, placing a handful of colorful ribbons into Dana’s hands. “Tie these ‘round the necks of the Kremas bottles.”
“They’re my wedding colors,” Cadie said proudly of the vibrant pink and orange hues. “These bottles are the favors we give out to our wedding guests.”
“But not before we enjoy some ourselves,” one of Cadie’s sisters announced, swigging directly from one of the large, clear bottles.
“Rose!” Cadie yelled, swatting at her sister. “We won’t have enough!”
“We have plenty,” their mother assured, passing an open bottle to Dana. “It is tradition that we all partake.”
With a shrug, Dana put the bottle to her lips and drank. As soon as the potent concoction hit her lips, she regretted it. Swallowing she quickly pulled the bottle away, sputtering and coughing as the strong, sweet spirit burned a path down her throat.
“What’s in this?” Dana exclaimed.
“Coconut milk, spices, a little rum,” Rose said.
“Okay, a lot of rum,” Cadie added, giggling after she took a swig.
“We’re George women,” their mother proclaimed. “We make our drinks as strong as we are!”
A resoundingwhoopwent through the kitchen as all the women raised a bottle and drank. This time Dana was prepared as she lifted her bottle and took another swig. She still couldn’t contain her grimace as she swallowed the insanely potent cocktail, but her efforts earned laughter and acceptance from the women.
Cadie’s mother draped an arm around Dana. “Now you’re ready for the potomitan.” She gazed out the window at the setting sun in the distance. “Hurry, it’s almost time.”
Clicking her tongue, Mrs. George rushed around the kitchen hurrying the women along in their Kremas preparations.
Dana tied ribbons on the bottles as they came to her—sealed with a wax cap and labeled with personal messages written by the bride and groom. The wishes for their guests to continue to celebrate their season of love was a beautiful tradition. The message read:Love is built one drop at a time, drink of it and revel in the flood.
The words were haunting and beautiful. They struck a chord in Dana, bringing her back to the pain she was trying to outrun. She’d lost Claire the same way. One drop at a time. The evaporation of a soul was the same—almost imperceptible. Until all at once you noticed the vessel was empty and who you once loved was gone.
The same happened with Meredith, but Dana had gotten her back.
Only to lose her all over again.
She gripped the counter as emotion flooded her so swiftly it became hard to breathe. Cadie noticed and silently passed her a glass of water, attributing Dana’s sudden dizziness to the Kremas. Grateful for the anonymity being a stranger afforded her, Dana accepted the water, forcing a smile through her veil of sorrow.
