That was easy. She doesn’t even think it’s weird. If she does, she is hiding it well.
“I like purple, and I like zebra print,” I shrugged. “Would something with that be good together?”
“It would be not only good, but great and so fun,” she smiled. “Here, come look.”
She had brought up my room and, with a few clicks, it was transformed into a medium shade of purple with a zebra rug and throw pillows on a white comforter.
“It’s beautiful. I love it,” I smiled. “Cota, do you like it?”
“It’s very modern. I love modern. You should add silver accents and a little bling,” he added.
“That’s the direction I was planning. Now, what about your room?” The decorator turned to Cota. “I assume modern, so what colors?”
“How about we let Sabrina decide for me.” He waved me back over. “What should I do with my room?”
“Hmm. Do you like animal patterns, or have a favorite color?” I watched him as he thought about it. “Doesn’t have to be an animal print.”
“Well, I’m jealous now. Look at how great yours looks.” He pointed to the screen. “What about tiger or elephant?”
“No, that’s too much. You don’t want it to feel like a safari,” the decorator explained. “I have an idea, though-- black walls, custard yellow accent chairs, and cow print, but not too much of it.”
“Yes, I love it. It’s pretty but still manly.” I clapped my hands without realizing it. “Sorry, I just got excited. This is fun.”
My new cell phone buzzed in my pocket. I waved it in the air and excused myself to answer the incoming text from Murphy.
“Hey, are you available tomorrow to go shopping?”
“I thought Jade wasn’t coming to shop until after the baby party.”
“Yeah, that’s still the case. I need some retail therapy.”
“I am not sure what that means.”
“LOL, it just means please come shopping with me.”
“I have something to do in the morning, but after lunch is good.”
“Perfect, I’ll meet you in the lobby at, let’s say, one o’clock.”
“Okay, I will tell Bond so he will know what time to be ready.”
“Oh, I forgot about having two shadows. It’s all good.”
“What do you wear to do retail therapy?”
“Something casual. Actually, we need to buy you some New York outfits. You’re a Hawthorne, you need to look the part.”
“Now I’m worried.”
“Trust me!!!”
“I don’t have any money for this shopping. I no longer have my job.”
“You are a Hawthorne now. You don’t need a job. Cota will pay for it.”
“Murphy, I am not a real wife. I do not feel comfortable asking him for money.”
“It’ll be fine. See you tomorrow.”