Sunday morning...no Carlos...no Esperanza...how could they abandon us? Of course, they'd left us with fresh squeezed orange juice and cut up fruit and the night guard had made a pot of coffee...we were not adrift. Vail went down to the bakery and got pastries for us (thanks barkeep!) and we decided that we liked The Restaurant so much that we'd go back for brunch at noon.
More shaved Brussel's sprout salads and a chance to try the rest of the tempting things on the menu. I had a lovely plate of local cheeses with guava paste and baguette toast and a side of pot stickers...time to go home to a more sensible diet.
The afternoon gave us time to wrap up shopping and packing and as we drifted toward the patio to chat we realized that we'd made it a whole week without talking about hair and make-up!! ( I had gone up to DeeDee's bathroom to find out what products she uses to keep her gorgeous hair going.) Peter says it only takes 10 minutes to get talking about hair for the girls in our house...
I was going to bring my wig ...but I was afraid it would look like a dead animal if they opened my suitcase. I just want to have one flip in my lifetime. I've always wanted to have a ponytail to flip. And what about falls? We all had them. How many nights did it take us to start talking about hair? Side pony tails? We don't do that in New Orleans. ...there goes my wig...right into the lake! Oh, I've had people stop and ask if they could take a picture of my hair. None of it's fair. The whiskers come back like roaches. Wiglet, false eyelashes, girdle, stockings, high heels... Oh, I always want to room with DeeDee...she has everything.
Our final hoorah was on the roof of the Rosewood Hotel at the Luna Bar... but it was clouding up big time, so some took taxis and Laurie and Kay and I walked down the hill. ( We walked because it was DOWN) Sitting under the tent, we were sheltered from the mist that started down but we could still see the glorious view of the hillsides surrounding SMA. The sunset was spectacular leaving the mountains a rich smoky purple with a pink halo and making a reflection on the cathedral that was luscious and rosy. It was a beautiful memory to keep.
Just as the chatter was a special memory to keep...
Our food for the week was $60 per person, the rest was liquor! Cheers to our treasurer Wendy! Too much is never enough. If one is good 2 is better! Gin makes me cry. We're all bossy in certain ways...and it kind of works. Campari!! He ordered a bottle of Mateus. He wanted to make out and maybe get under my blouse. At SMU it's "What does your dad do?" and "What kind of car do you drive?" She was in her seventies...that used to sound so old. I'm a hot mamma! There's probably a bathroom on this roof...or I could just go off the balcony. It's beautiful ambient light! That's a big word for this late in the trip. My mother had a red Cadillac and we made her let us out 2 blocks from school. My parents said "Hallelujah! The last one's out of college!" Why didn't we have DeeDee do makeovers? I'd rather drink than eat. My fork has already been taken away...okay, I'll have a bite. Whatever's easiest...You want me to drink THAT? Oh no, Bee, you drink it! Enabler! Talk about a change in the weather!
And it was! The wind started blowing...the rain began to pour...and the lightning lit up the hills. We moved to the center of the tent to finish our drinks but the storm didn't last long. We figured we'd better make a run for the taxis...and Pila Seca...and packing...maybe we can fit in a card game...
MONDAY
Our last breakfast. Lot's of French toast with eggs on the side...and then another order because...why not. Just as Peter had said to me months ago...why NOT? Why not jump into that pool of the past and find out what's happened to all those other swimmers. It was a heart opening trip that sent me home to responsibilities with a little more "don't sweat the small stuff" and a lot more "seize the day!" and definitely a huge load of "it's never too late!'
Parting at the airport into "Dallas bound" and "Houston bound" was full of affection and pledges to get back together. The Houston group squeezed in one more meal of burgers and lots of fries and wine and martinis... We're not home yet!
I thank every single one of these fabulous women for every word of conversation, every hilarious quip, every sincere comment and observation. The character in this group is powerful.
THANK YOU BEE!!!