Bianca: Where are we going?
Jay: I made reservations at an Ethiopian place.
Bianca: Mmm. Which place? I’ll look it up. I want to know how to dress.
It didn’t matter how fancy the place was—it could have been a roadside trailer, and my answer would have been the same.
Jay: Wear something sexy.
Bianca: I can do that. ;-)
Jay: Good. I look forward to it. See you in a few hours.
Bianca: Okay. Don’t forget my carving—I’m looking forward to our exchange.
“To Dumbo, Sam.” I climbed into the backseat.
“Brooklyn? Sure thing, Mr. Truitt. Where are we heading?”
I grumbled. “Anchorage Place. The Brooklyn Flea.”
My secretary had printed out a map, but it wasn’t doing much good once we arrived. There had to be at least a hundred tents set up as I wandered around trying to find booth G45. When I’d asked Josephine to locate a shop that sold small wood carved crafts—such as animals, I was certain she thought she was witnessing the first signs of my nervous breakdown. I was starting to think she was onto something.
The Brooklyn flea market was apparently home to a number of handmade and unique crafters—one of which was a gentleman who also sold his wooden carvings on a website, Jelani’s Kenyan Krafts. Just my luck, Jelani also sold his wares at the flea market, which happened to be open today instead of just Sunday this week, since it was the Dumbo Heritage Festival.
Eyeing a long table at the end of an aisle I’d just turned down, I was relieved to see a tall, black-skinned man wearing a colorful African hat and holding a carved wooden cane. As I came upon him, I saw that his table was filled with small, hand-carved animals. Mentally, I made a note to give Josephine a raise when I returned on Monday.
I perused the selection of carvings—admiring the beautiful craftsmanship. A week ago, I would have passed by and not taken the time to appreciate the work that had gone into these pieces—the skill and patience that they represented. But now, I was impressed by Jelani’s work.
“These are beautiful.”
“Thank you. Are you looking for a gift?”
“I am. For a woman.”
“Ah.” Jelani nodded like he understood. That makes one of us. He held up a small walrus. “Perhaps you can chose one based upon the special lady’s spirit animal. The walrus is the keeper of secrets.” He set it back down on the table and picked up another one. It was a billy goat—with two horns at the top of its head that curled back and then rounded back to the front. “The billy goat animal totem’s lifestyle is about power. It’s independent, strong and intelligent. They are curious, yet picky.”
“I’ll take the goat.”
Jelani smiled. He rang me up and slipped my purchase into a small brown bag. Handing it to me he said, “Watch out for the billy goats—their horns are strong enough to impale you if you cross them.”
Great. Just fucking great.
Caroline was not a happy camper that I’d cancelled our date to the banquet. I’d told her I wasn’t feeling well, probably the first time I’d ever used the sick card in my life. But being here with Bianca was worth it.
She was wearing a fitted, brown dress that exposed one shoulder. The color brought out the caramel in her eyes and complemented her raven-colored hair. She was a dark beauty.
Of course, while Dex knew the answer from earlier conversations, Jay had to ask, “What nationality are you?”
“One-hundred percent Greek. You?”
“My mother is Italian and French. My father is English.”
It was difficult not to stare at her from across the table. I couldn’t even concentrate on the menu, which featured a bunch of stuff I didn’t recognize anyway.
I’d picked Bianca up in a car I’d rented just for Jay. I figured him for a Jeep kind of guy. I had to really stop and think about what to wear, too. Dex would have probably worn a custom-tailored Armani dress shirt. Jay was more casual. I’d settled on a basic black Polo and dark jeans.
Looking around the table, I said, “I think they forgot to give us silverware.”
“No. You eat Ethiopian food with your hands.”
“Oh, I didn’t realize.”
“You’ve never had it before?”
“Never.”
“Well, I love it, only had it a couple of times. I love trying new things.”
“I love how adventurous you seem to be.”
“When it comes to some things, yes.” She smiled.
“I can’t wait to find out more about those things, Georgy Girl.” I locked my feet around hers under the table. “I’ll let you order for us, since you know this food. What were you thinking of?”