The Romeo Arrangement

“Company you just fed,” I remind her. “Where I come from, it’s only fair to pitch in. Please, it’s the least I can do, and honestly? I’d love a closer look at your coffee bar.”

Amy opens her mouth, ready to protest again, but then just smiles.

The guys head for the garage, and it takes us no time to clear the table and load the dishwasher. Then we’re both gliding over to that desk like bees on honey.

It’s a handsome old piece, solid oak with two narrow cupboards, all painted white.

Hanging above it between the cupboards, there’s a cute hand-painted sign on the wall that says I like my sugar with a splash of coffee.

“Could I see the tailgate, too?” I ask.

“Sure!” Amy waves, leading me along. “It’s in the laundry room, leaning against the wall so it doesn’t get dirty. It took hours to scrub it clean when I saved it from Dad.”

The moment I see the old, faded red tailgate, my heart races with excitement. It’s too perfect. “Have you thought about using it for your coffee bar?”

“Can’t say I have. How?”

“Can we carry it in there? I’ll show you,” I say, already reaching for it.

Amy grabs the other end and we haul it into the kitchen, clear off the desk and wipe it down, then lift the tailgate onto the top of the desk. It hangs over a small amount on the edges but looks solid enough.

“Hmm. Ya know, I think I like it,” she tells me after studying it for a moment.

“It’s special,” Alicia says, looking over it from behind us. “Never would’ve thought to use something like that in the kitchen, but I’m starting to see it…”

Good because now that I’m on a roll, we’re just getting started.

“You ladies like wine, right? How about a coffee and wine bar? Some homes in Milwaukee mix and match. It’s all the rage right now.” I glance at the small wine rack on top of the fridge.

“My favorites!” Amy chirps. “Tell me more.”

“Do you have a piece of paper?” I ask.

She pulls open a drawer on the desk, then hands me a notebook and pen.

I rapid-fire sketch out the desk with the tailgate on top of it and the two cupboards. Then, as I’m drawing, I poke a finger at each part and start to explain.

“If you remove the fronts of the drawers, we can go online and order the stuff for a mini barn door. Instead of doors on the cupboards, use a couple floor mats from Jess’ dealership cut to fit, then, up here, between the cupboards, we can paint the wall with chalkboard paint. They have some really cute chalk pens in florescent colors. We could write ‘How To Tell Time.’”

I sketch that in.

“On this cupboard with the coffee, you can get some black vinyl stickers and put AM. On this one, do PM. Under the AM one, you can store your coffee maker and supplies, maybe throw in a good grinder and a French press. Under PM, install the wine rack that’s on top of the fridge. Then it’s just a few hangers going up on the undersides of the cupboards to hang cups on one side and wine glasses on the other.”

“Oh my God, is there anything you didn’t think of?” Amy squeals, holding up her fists and giving them a shake. “And the floor mats from the dealership, Jess will even approve!”

“It’s perfect,” Alicia agrees. “When can you start on my place?”

She slaps my shoulder and I grin.

“I’ll check my schedule!” Another thought strikes me then. “And where are the hubcaps, Amy?”

“I’ll go grab them,” she says, heading back to the laundry room off the kitchen.

“I’m serious about a paying gig,” Alicia says. “I mean, I know you’re probably not that hard up for money, but you’re a ninja, lady. I’d love to see what you can do, if it won’t break the bank.”

“It won’t.” I give her a grateful smile. “I’d love all the practice I can get. I’m still working on that black belt. I just…I really love making old stuff functional again. Especially when it means something like this tailgate.”

I pat the big red metal slab.

“I only have two!” Amy calls, returning with two baby moon hubcaps with faded red writing, plus an old steering wheel.

“You just need one,” I say happily. “Again, go online and order a clock kit. Drill a hole in the center, set the clock inside, and hang it up between the cupboards. Boom, there’s your wine and coffee jam.”

“Adorable!” Amy slips a hand over her mouth and giggles. “Oh, what about the steering wheel?”

It, too, is a cool old all-metal wheel.

“Well…you could mount it under the cupboard and get some S-hooks to hang the coffee cups off of. Or you could use it as a divider. Put it on top of a metal tray whenever you want something interesting to show your guests.”