"Hi, I'm Angela Evans from Clermont, FL" Part II
Kim "KayCee" Copeland, Angela Evans (Lauren's event identity) Jocelyn "JayCee" Copeland, and a few others play a major role in the surprise
Upon arriving outside the ballroom door, Angela Evans is pulled into a line for photographs. She chats with a few ladies, poses for the photo, sure that her cover will be blown, then quickly heads into the luncheon. The slide show is highlighting exquisite photos of Caribbean locales, as well as the Fancy Hat Literary Luncheon logo. Birds of Paradise are tucked into crystal vases that adorn each table. There are lime green gift bags for each guest, a luncheon program and menu in fine calligraphy, and a ‘Til the Well Runs Dry Reader’s Guide.
Angela searches for her name on the silver compacts with personalized nameplates before each seat, wondering how far Jennie is willing to go to mask her presence. “Angela” is the name carved into the silver compact. Jennie is taking this all the way!
Angela joins the buffet line, listening to the other women declare their appreciation for the Caribbean themed food, introducing herself as “Angela” from Clermont. “Did you drive here?” one woman asks. “Yes,” Angela answers. “Are you staying overnight?” the woman wants to know. “Yes,” Angela says. “I’m staying here.” The woman’s eyebrows lift ever-so-slightly. Angela realizes she may have made mistake number one. Angela Evans from Clermont can afford to stay at the Ritz?!
Angela carries her plate to the table. According to Jennie’s plan, Angela is supposed to know Jocelyn and Kim Copeland, her friends, but she does not realize she is already seated next to Kim. No one else but Kim seems to notice the faux pas. Angela begins to eat then realizes she has yet to introduce herself to the woman seated to her left. “Hi, I’m Lauren,” Angela says. “Lauren?” the woman repeats and then introduces herself. Mistake number two! Angela’s face flushes and she begins to devise a plan to clean up her mess.
Jennie begins the raffle for the books displayed at each table. Angela knows she will not win, but the excitement in the room begins to swell. The peach cobbler smells delectable but Angela fears that if she rises again to stand in the dessert line, someone will take notice of her beneath her big red hat, as many of the women have begun to peruse hats to fill out their voting cards for “Fanciest Hat 2015.” She remains seated and puts her plan into action.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do,” Angela says. “I have two little girls. One who’s named after me---Angela---and if she gets her hands on this beautiful compact, the other daughter will surely be upset.” The woman to whom Angela previously introduced herself as “Lauren” pauses for a split second before saying, “Maybe you can go online tonight and order another one for your other daughter.” Clean-up accomplished! Angela sits back and listens to Jennie apologize for the author not being able to make it to the luncheon. “She’s in the Caribbean for a family reunion,” Jennie says. Angela smirks as she has never been to a family reunion!
Jennie begins the discussion of ‘Til the Well Runs Dry. From the first question, it’s a lively one. Angela realizes there will be no shortage of opinions. From the feel of the room, most will be good, but there is always the possibility that something will go awry. She steels herself for criticism. Suddenly, the door to the ballroom opens and a woman carrying two buckets with a cloth tied around her head begins to shout. The Ritz-Carlton is ruining this beautiful luncheon!
But alas, it is not a mistake…it is Marcia Garcia! The performer crosses the ballroom and begins to speak of her love for Trinidad, Farouk and her children. The woman performing embodies the spirit of ‘Til the Well Runs Dry and Angela finds herself warming and bursting at the seams with excitement and delight that anyone would have gone so far as to perform scenes that, up to this moment, lives only in the minds of the novel’s readers. It is a wondrous display and at its end Angela wants to offer a standing ovation but she must keep herself composed. Already, there have been one too many mistakes.
The book discussion continues. The women have friendly disagreements. Several women at
Angela’s table want to join in the discussion. When all eyes turn upon her table, Angela finds some reason to keep her head low. She feels a few women surveying her face but still she cannot determine if anyone has figured it out. By discussion’s end, most of the women have declared their love of the book, though a few feel as if they were left wanting more at the end. Angela likes that readers become so invested that they don’t want to let go, but as a reader she also understands that an open ending can make one feel let down.
“Well…we’re going to raffle off a signed copy of ‘Til the Well Runs Dry,” Jennie announces. The audience gets excited again, but Angela already knows who the winner will be. Jennie will ask the winner up to the stage to read the inscription. “But there’s nothing here, Jennie,” the winner says, flipping between the first three pages of the book.
“Lauren, can you come up here and sign this book for her?” Jennie says.
The jaws drop and the women look stunned (especially the woman seated next to Angela!). They seem thrilled and confused that Jennie has managed to pull the wool over their eyes once more!
On my way up to the stage one lovely lady apologizes for saying she was upset that the story ended too soon. I assure her there are no hard feelings. Once on stage, Jennie thanks me and hands me the microphone.
“She got you!” I say, through laughter. I am both tickled and relieved!
