Chapter 11
CHAPTER
ELEVEN
Francis
I grabbed Kendall’s hand and led him back through the pocket door to the kitchen. Mom and Auntie Judy were chatting, wine in hand, with guests who were clearly blown away by their appetizers.
“You like? Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and keep an eye on our socials. Anne and Judy will be hosting some cooking classes very soon.” I winked at the sisters, and they held up their wine glasses to us.
Mom’s eyes lingered on Kendall’s hand in mine, and she tilted her head, her smile softening.
“Are you hungry?” I asked him. “Because that food is going fast.”
“I’m good.”
I hoped he really was, and it wasn’t a picky eater situation.
Mom and Auntie Judy had made spring rolls, dumplings, lettuce wraps, and chicken wings with a honey soy glaze.
With the attention they were getting, we’d have a full house for every cooking class.
I thought Mom and Auntie Judy would love that.
I loved sharing them with our new community.
At last count we had forty people milling in and out, which was great for a first party.
I’d posted signs around town, Kendall had talked to the fire station employees, and Derek had put it in his real estate newsletter and on his website.
I’d created Instagram and TikTok accounts, but I was doing my best to keep my face and name out of it.
When I got around to hiring an assistant, I’d be looking for someone who was a social media natural.
I didn’t want my past to cause any blowback on this new venture.
There shouldn’t be much crossover between Silicon Valley finance circles and Northern California artists and such.
“Francis? Did you still want to start at seven-thirty?”
Finn and his husband Jim had been quite enthusiastic about partnering with me for these dance socials.
We agreed to do them twice a month for now, with the option to add dates when they weren’t in rehearsals for the community theater program.
Finn had apparently danced on Broadway until he was sidelined by an injury.
Then he moved to Figgy Pudding and, you guessed it, started over. He and Jim were ridiculously happy.
Finn and Jim were smiling curiously at Kendall. “You joined the fire department a few months back, right? I’m Jim James, from the community theater?”
Kendall shook hands with both of them. “Great to meet you. Yeah, it’s been almost a year now. My grandparents, Dick and Louise Warren, lived here for years. They left their place to me, so I decided it was time to give California a try.”
Jim raised an eyebrow. “Looks like it worked out well for you. How did this happen?” He pointed a finger between us with a smile.
I slid my arm around Kendall’s waist, nearly bursting with joy that this man was mine. “He tried to steal my rainbow cupcakes at Pride.”
Kendall put his hand over his heart. “I would never.” He winked at me, and we all laughed. “You moved next door to me.”
“Uh-huh. Anyway. Yes, please, Finn. Give me a minute, and I’ll make introductions, okay?” They went to grab waters, and I turned to Kendall. “I have a very important job for you.”
“Besides saving you from a snake? I don’t know, we might have to renegotiate—ow. Whatever you want, baby.”
I found pinching his waist usually got his attention. “I’m serious. I’d really like it if you would dance with my mom? She loves to dance, and my father never would. I don’t want her and Auntie Judy slaving away in the kitchen all night.”
“Of course. I’d be honored.”
I grinned at him and let go of his hand, then stepped into the center of the room and pulled my phone out to turn down the music.
“Hey, everyone? Can I ask you to gather around? Thank you. Awesome. Hi! Thanks for coming.”
This is it. Maison De Reve is officially open for business.
“Welcome to Maison De Reve, the Dream House. I’m Francis Liang, and I want to thank everyone for coming tonight for the first of many gatherings to celebrate the arts in Foggy Basin.”
I struggled not to use one of my pet names for the town.
That would come later, once people got to know me.
I’d thought about giving a speech about my purpose behind this place, but I decided to let the activities speak for themselves.
My mission statement was on my website. Tonight was about making everyone feel comfortable and excited about stepping out of their safe zones.
“I appreciate the warm welcome I’ve received since I came to Foggy Basin from the Bay Area for the first time, to celebrate your inaugural Pride event.
I was inspired to establish a home for the arts here because y’all have a created a friendly and inclusive community.
I hope you’ll join us for future events, but tonight, I’m going to turn over the program to Finn, who’s here to give us some basic instruction in partner dancing.
This is the first of a series of socials, so if you enjoy tonight’s event, spread the word! Thank you. Finn, the floor is yours.”
I’d given him an iPad so he could control the music himself, and I returned to the kitchen as Finn addressed the group.
“Hey everyone! Are you ready to dance?” There were lots of cheers, and several people looked around for a place to put down their drinks.
“For our first social, I decided to start out with a little West Coast Swing. I’ll go over a basic box step and a few other moves, and then we’ll practice together. Normally I count people off to choose partners, but tonight, I’ll let you pick. Find a partner and join me on the floor.”
A few people hung back, but more than half of the group grabbed friends and significant others and led them to the floor.
I watched as Kendall approached my mom, and she gave him a smile that mirrored the one he called my saucy smile. Derek asked Auntie Judy to dance, and Rog and Arnie grabbed Mercy, one of the other firefighters, and her girlfriend, Arnold’s sister Ophelia, and brought them out to the floor.
The kitchen was spotless, so I made my way around the room picking up empties and napkins while I watched the progress on the dance floor.
“Hey, Francis?”
I turned to find a smiling guy wearing a red Carhartt shirt and blue jeans. He held out his hand.
“I’m Bart. Martin. Your neighbor.”
“Oh, great. Hi! Which direction?” I asked, as I pointed in all the directions.
He laughed. “The dairy farm out past the old Warren place. I just took it over from my uncle. I’m new here, too.”
“It’s something else, huh? Sog—I mean, Foggy Basin is pretty cool.”
“It is. Everyone has been real nice. I’m still trying to figure out all the aspects of the business, but I wanted to say hi, and if there’s anything I can do to support your work here, please let me know.
It’s good to know there’s art around,” he said with a grin.
“I moved here from Sacramento, which doesn’t seem that far, but it’s a whole world away, you know what I mean? ”
“I do,” I said. “It’s been an adjustment, but you’re right, everyone has been incredibly kind.”
He laughed. “An adjustment. I’m still getting used to the cows, but you’ve got the reptile guy living next door.” He shuddered. “I’m scared to death I’m going to find a crocodile eating one of my calves.”
“I can put you at ease about that. He doesn’t have any crocodilians or venomous creatures, and no snapping turtles.”
He raised his eyebrows. “You’ve been over there?”
I grinned proudly, as if I were a spokesperson for Chez Warren now after getting my tour last night.
“I have. It’s incredible what he’s building.
I wasn’t too sure when one of his giant tortoises came wandering into my yard, but they’re all amazing animals.
Totally harmless. Unless you’re barefoot, I guess? They like toes.”
Bart looked at me as if I might need my head examined. “If you say so. I hope they all stay on their side of the fence is all.”
I turned to watch Kendall and my mom, laughing and moving together to Finn’s instructions. “Kendall’s got it under control. He’s great with them.” So great.
“Oh, so you know him?”
I turned back to Bart and grinned. “I do. He’s my person.”
The good kind of shiver ran through me. My person. Mine. It felt so good to say it out loud to someone else.
“Oh,” he said, surprised, but he smiled. “Oh, well, that’s great. Seems like lots of people find their person in this town.”
I waggled my eyebrows at him. “Watch out. You could be next.”
He held up his beer and nodded. “Sounds good to me,” he muttered as he took a drink. I wasn’t sure he wanted me to hear that part.
“Enjoy yourself, and thank you so much for coming. I’m just going to check the patio for empties.”
I’d have to find someone to dance with Bart. I glanced around and saw that Arnie was now dancing with Auntie Judy, and Derek was dancing with Ophelia. Beyond them, I spotted Francine with a couple of women, so I meandered on over.
“I’m so glad you made it.” We kissed cheeks, and I whispered in her ear, “You mind doing me a favor? See that guy over there? He’s my neighbor, Bart the dairy farmer. Mind saying hi? See if he wants to dance? He doesn’t know anyone here.”
“You got it.” She winked at me and made her way through the dancers to stand next to Bart. I didn’t see them make it to the dance floor, but they were laughing and carrying on for quite a while. I’d call that a win.
“Hey, Francis!”
I waved at Ezra from Beauty and the Boutique. He was a whiz with clothing design. I’d met him at Pints and Pool on one of my trips out with Derek, before moving here. He was another person I’d talked to about teaching some classes eventually.
“Hey yourself! You guys having a good time?”
Ezra’s partner looked like he was concentrating extremely hard.
“Babe, you look like you’re in pain.”
His husband, Olly, frowned. “Shh. I have to count. I don’t want to step on your feet.”
“You’ve been a professional musician for how long, and you’ve never danced with a partner?”