Chapter Twenty-Five
Malee climbed out of bed and walked through the apartment to her aunt’s tiny kitchen. She poured herself a steaming cup of coffee and glanced at the clock. It was almost 11:00 a.m. She’d gotten very little sleep the night before and was glad her aunt had let her sleep in. She yawned, and then caught her reflection in the dining room mirror. Her eyes were still red and puffy from all the crying she’d done last night. It had been such a shock to see Max in handcuffs. But more than anything, it had hurt to see Max standing next to that blonde in front of that dance club with a hickey on his neck. It meant he was moving on, and she wasn’t ready for that.
Malee closed her eyes and told herself to stop thinking about it, because if she didn’t put it from her mind, she was going to start crying all over again. Taking a deep breath, she carried her mug into the living room, where she found her aunt sitting on the sofa and watching the local news on television. Aunt Tan had the captioning on so she could follow along, but Malee was barely paying any attention to it as she sipped her coffee.
How are you feeling this morning?
Malee knew her aunt saw the sadness in her eyes; still she tried to smile and signed, Okay.
Aunt Tan reached over and patted her leg. Everything will work itself out, my dear. Just wait and see.
Malee tried to smile, but she didn’t feel very optimistic about it. She stared down into her coffee mug.
A moment later, her aunt was tapping her frantically on the leg and pointing to the television. Malee looked up at it curiously, wondering what on earth could suddenly have her aunt so excited.
There on the screen was Charlotte Justice being interviewed by some entertainment host. Malee’s mouth fell open. The beautiful rock musician was wearing Malee’s kimono for the interview!
She glanced to her aunt who was excitedly pointing at the screen and grinning from ear to ear.
Malee read the captioning. The host was asking Charlotte about an upcoming concert tour and a stop she’d be making in Denver. They talked about her new album that dropped today. A graphic of the album cover flashed on the screen behind them. The host said, “The title of your new album is Dragonfly, and I couldn’t help but notice the beautiful dragonfly design on your kimono, Ms. Justice.”
“Please, call me Charlotte.” She looked down at the kimono and stroked her hand over it, lovingly. “Yes, it’s hand-painted silk by a local artist in Grand Junction named Malee. It’s extraordinary, isn’t it? The craftsmanship is exquisite. She gifted this to me for the Dragonfly Tour. It’s my new good luck charm.”
“Well, luck aside, I’m sure your tour will be a huge success. I’m hearing the first portion has already sold out.”
The rest of the interview was a blur. Malee could only stare in a trance until her aunt shook her. Malee! She told everyone your name!
Malee could only stare at her, shell-shocked.
Quick, bring me my laptop!
Malee frowned at her. “Why?”
We have to get you a website quickly, even if it’s only with your name and email address.
“You really think so? You think people will contact me?”
Yes! Yes! Quickly now! We have to hurry.
An hour later they had the most basic of websites set up. She uploaded a photo she’d taken of a hummingbird she’d drawn as her background logo with the words Designs by Malee over it, along with several shots of her standing with Charlotte Justice in the kimono, and the rock star wearing it on stage in Telluride. They added an invitation for parties interested in her designs to contact her through her email.
A few minutes after the website went live, she began to get emails. All afternoon inquiries from all over poured in. Charlotte Justice’s fan club got wind of it. Soon there were pictures of Charlotte from the interview, wearing the dragonfly kimono popping up all over the Internet.
Malee and Aunt Tan read over the emails as they poured in.
Malee, they want your designs! Do you know what this means?
She shook her head.
You’re in business! We’re going to have to figure out some pricing. We’re going to have to get you set up with some supplies and a workspace. Oh, my, there’s so much to be done!
“Maybe I could set up a card table.”
No, no, no. You’ll need much more space. There are hundreds of emails coming in.
“Papa has no room, there’s nowhere.”
Aunt Tan grabbed her hand, her eyes getting big. The empty storefront downstairs!
“Aunt Tan, I have no money for that.”
Aunt Tan’s eyes sparkled. But I do.
Malee stared at her unbelievably. “You’d do that for me? You’d loan me the money to rent a space?”
Of course, dear. We’ll call the realtor right away. Then we’ll go price some wholesale silk, get you some more paints, tables, whatever you need. Aunt Tan clasped her hands together, her face beaming. Oh, my dear, I haven’t been this excited about something in years.
“Do you really think we can do it, Aunt Tan?”
We? You! I’ll help you all I can, Malee, but this is your business.
Malee’s head was spinning. She had a business! A real business!