“That’s great!” Sunny said and hugged her. “Does that mean she gets to have the feeding tube taken out?”
“Not quite yet. The doctor wants to leave it in for a few more months, just to be on the safe side. But I’m sure by the end of the year that thing will be history. So Mom and I want to make a video to share that good news. Maybe toast with one of the healthful summer drinks we’re featuring.”
“Great idea.”
“Let’s do the photo shoot first and then we can end with the video.”
Arianna nodded agreement and they got busy assembling the drinks to put out on her back patio table.
“Also, since she’s feeling so well, she thought as part of our Christmas-in-July celebrations she’d teach us all how to make croquembouche,” Arianna said as they worked.
“Croakin’ what?”
“It’s French—a tower of cream puffs coated and held in place with caramelized sugar.”
“I’m all over that,” Sunny said. “We could film that getting made as well. People are enjoying following the Christmas-all-year reports.”
With everything assembled, Arianna led the way to the patio. She’d cleaned their glass-topped table and scattered silk daisy petals all around.
“Nice,” Sunny approved.
“I figure we can put the pitcher here,” Arianna said, pointing, “and then arrange glasses on the tray in front of it.”
“Perfect,” Sunny said, and began shooting pictures as soon as everything was in place.
“How was your Fourth?” Arianna asked.
Sunny shook her head, kept her focus on their display. “Just a barrel of fun.”
“Uh-oh.”
“Yeah, uh-oh. But hey, life goes on and so do I.”
“I’ve got to admire your determination,” Arianna said. She wasn’t sure how she’d cope if she were in her friend’s flip-flops.
They switched to a different set of glasses, featuring a drink made with grapefruit, orange juice and tonic water, with festive ice cubes containing rosemary and tiny slices of lemon and Sunny took more shots from different angles. Arianna would have stopped with one picture. Which was why Sunny was in charge of their photo shoots.
Sunny showed her the pictures on her digital camera. A blurred background of honeysuckle with the drinks in the foreground looked magazine-worthy. Another picture showed the pitcher, with just a beginning of moisture on it and two glasses in front of it. As if on cue, a butterfly had swooped past, and Sunny had captured its visit.
“Perfect,” Arianna approved. “You have got a real gift!”
“I’m not the one coming up with this stuff. Let’s sample one of these.”
They each picked up a glass and took a sip.
“Oh, yes,” Sunny said. “You need to make these for our Christmas-in-July party.”
“They’re not Christmassy. I have something better in mind.”
“Better than this? Hard to imagine.”
“Trust me,” Arianna said with a smile.
How she was loving helping to plan their monthly celebrations. With each new party they planned, it buried the unhappiness of Christmas further in the past.
“So, how was your Fourth?” Sunny wanted to know.
“The fireworks were great.” Especially the ones she’d made with Alden. Remembering the feel of his lips on her neck brought a fresh heat to her face. She realized Sunny was studying her.
