Alima
FIVE YEARS AGO
“Do you Alima Rose Kane, take Luca Alessandro Grazzi, to be your lawful wedded husband? To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish as long as you both shall live?”
“I Do”.
***
NOW
I pull at the panes of my evening gown in a futile attempt to cover the wide expanse of mocha skin revealed by the long slit running from my upper thigh to the hem of the extraordinary silk dress. My best friend Marie slaps my hand away.
“You look gorgeous, babe. Don’t ruin it.”
My grumble of ‘I hate you’ makes Marie giggle.
“No, you don’t, silly. You love me. Just remember it’s for the kids, and go parade on that stage.”
I repeat after her: “it’s for the kids,” and take a deep breath before stepping onto the stage.
The vast ballroom of the Five-star luxury hotel where we’re holding our event, decorated to perfection. A couple hundred VIPs fill the brightly lit, wide room. Soft jazz music coming from a live band set in one corner. An impeccable staff walks through the crowd with trays of appetizers and drinks. Marie truly outdid herself with the organization.
A small stage sits in the back of the ballroom, currently occupied by myself, two other of my closest girlfriends, just as lavishly dressed as I am, and my three guy best friends in impeccable tuxedos. We exchange amused glances and warm smiles. We’re in this together. Just like we were years ago. Foster siblings, growing up in the same household. And we’re here tonight to give back.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Marie addresses the crowd, microphone in hand. “I give you the fabulous five.”
She extends her hand to our small group and her gesture is met with thunderous applause and a few catcalls from some of our close friends and family.
“The five bachelorettes and bachelors who volunteered to spend an all expenses paid evening with the winners of tonight’s auction.”
More applause.
“The auction starts at one thousand dollars for each single lady or gentleman. And remember, all funds will go to our foundation, ‘Mama Nelly’s Home’, named after our loving and beloved foster mother, Miss Nelly Jackson.”
All gazes turn to Mama Nelly and she graciously nods, waves and blows kisses around, making the room grow even more excited. Her big brown eyes shimmer with emotion. She looks amazing in an elegant ivory evening gown, her curly hair pulled up in a sophisticated bun, a soft smile pulling at her lips. She looks so happy, so proud of us.
“The first candidate for tonight… ladies,” Marie wags her eyebrows, triggering laughter all around, “is our very own Fire Chief, Mister Antonio Dacosta.”
She introduces Tony with a wide gesture and he advances to the front of the podium in his signature calm and composed manner. More clapping and yelling ensue when Tony bends at the waist to salute the crowd.
“Do I hear one thousand and one dollars?” Marie inquires.
“Two thousand dollars,” comes loud and clear from a gorgeous woman who watches Tony as if her plans for their date are anything but an act of charity. The crowd gasps and Marie entertains the drama.
The auction goes on and one after the other, my foster siblings get swept away by generous donors. Most of whom they seem well acquainted with… When it’s finally my turn to be offered as tribute, Marie has barely announced the opening price that one of the staff comes from backstage handing her a folded piece of paper.
I watch Marie’s eyes grow wide before she clears her throat and announces in the mic: “well, it seems an anonymous bidder has snatched away Miss Alima Kane. Unless I can get ten thousand and one dollars for a date with our lovely Miss Kane?”
My eyebrows fly up to my forehead. Ten thousand dollars! Who would pay such an exorbitant amount? The largest amount of money we’ve ever made from our Bachelorettes & Bachelors Auction was maybe five thousand dollars for a single bid. The entry ticket to the event only is two thousand dollars, that is already a very generous donation to our foundation.
“Ten thousand going once,” Marie marks a pause. “Twice…” The party guests exchange excited looks and watch me with renewed interest. “A date with Miss Alima Kane for ten thousand dollars, to our very generous anonymous donor. Thank you, whoever you are!”
I smile broadly, beyond thrilled at the idea of the great use this money will be put to. And I might be just a bit tickled to meet my mysterious bidder.
***
Dressed in a stylish little black dress, I walk to my door, an evening clutch under my arm, all dolled up and maybe slightly eager to meet our eccentric benefactor. His assistant contacted me a week after the foundation’s auction gala to plan our date. So here I am, about to answer the doorbell and finally discover who I’m having a romantic dinner with…