Hopeful Lovers

Part 7

As the party went on, Avis and Adelaide, followed by Phoenix and Lakeysha, went around, getting the tables ready for the lavish dinner that Beatrix had made. The food smelled delicious, all vegan, of course, but the kids table was chock full of kid friendly meals.

Avis set the bowl of vegan parmesan sticks carefully on the table where the kids would sit, straightening the colorful, satiny placemats as she did so. The adults' table was already set, and the several bowls and plates of food were giving off a dizzyingly scrumptious scent. Everyone was gravitating towards the tables, drawn by the overpowering smell. Avis looked around the room, satisfied by what she saw.

She spied Ayla coming towards her. 

"Avis! Hey, girl! How are ya?" Ayla reached out and kissed her on the cheek. 

Avis smiled. How she loved her siblings. "Hey sis. Ready for the food?" Avis knew that one of Ayla's favorite things were food. 

Ayla laughed her tinkly laugh. "Of course I am. What do you think?!" 

Everyone was enjoying the food and pear wine that Bea made. Like, a lot. Avis scooped some cheesy vegan pasta onto her lavender ceramic plate. She grew up vegan, but she decided not to be when she moved out of Beatrix's house. Avis kept an eye on Phoenix, who had promised not to hog all the food.

So far, so good. Phoenix was shoving cubes of vegan garlic bread into his mouth, and crumbs were falling down his dress shirt. 

Beatrix and her husband, Dex, who was Adelaide, Avis, and Ayla's dad, sat at the head of the table. People talked more, happier now that food and wine was in their systems. Adelaide was taking pictures of everything - the food, the flowers, the party decor.

Avis already knew what Adelaide was doing. A few days after the party, Adelaide was going to develop the photos and put them into an album as a belated birthday present. Perfect, thought Avis. Perfect.