Playing Hard To Get

“Now, you were complaining about old Nelson Mandela making you cut your hair off, and I figured that could help you get by until you grow some hair back on that beady head of yours. You know you have a dent in the back, right?” Tasha teased.

“No, I don’t,” Tamia said, stretching the wig out.

“We figured you could wear it to court,” Troy said, handing Tamia another box. “You know, to play into the old you. Now, open this one.”

She handed Tamia the gift and grinned gleefully.

“Now, I’m on a budget, so it’s kind of, like, from my closet—but it’s new. The tags were still on it and—”

“Lord, will you let her open the box before you tell her what’s inside?” Tasha asked.

It was a sleek black suit that looked like something Tamia would’ve picked out for herself. Attached to the collar was a little Post-It where Troy had written: MY BEST SUIT FOR MY BESTIE.

“You’re both too much,” Tamia cried. “Too much.”

“We know. We know,” Tasha and Troy said together, taking turns providing each other applause.

After wiping her tears one last time, she looked up at the other gift boxes, still stacked and unopened and then back at her friends.

“What’s in those boxes?” she asked. “Other things for me? Did you guys get me a new boyfriend?”

“Um…no,” Tasha said frankly. “Those are for us. You didn’t think you were the only one getting gifts, did you?”

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3T Tea Time: Three Pinkies Up

Don’t let the little girls have all the fun! Now that you can actually afford to upgrade from the plastic tea set you shared with your stuffed animals when you were five, call your girlfriends over for a high tea that’s sure to soothe the soul and reconnect your circle.

Set a date and send out formal invitations to your special affair.

Dos:

Choose a theme: You can have a Victorian, Japanese, or Russian theme. The tea traditions of each culture will determine your decorations, menu, and assortment of teas.

Make a list and check it twice: In addition to your best friends, invite a new friend and consider having a special guest of honor—a local artist, someone new in town, or maybe a sisterfriend who just did something amazing.

Get fancy: Big hats and bold dresses will make the tea official and the photos amazing. For a Japanese theme, require kimonos and have someone there to do makeup. You all will laugh all afternoon.

Have conversation starters: Break the ice and get the talkers talking by having games, a featured book, or list of current affairs available for discussion and fun.

High or low: Be sure to let the ladies know if you are organizing a low (afternoon) or high (afternoon or supper time) tea. This will let them know what kinds of food to expect. Low tea commonly calls for light fare and dainty desserts. High tea can combine hearty dishes and delectable desserts.

Don’ts:

Be afraid to laugh at yourself: Something will go wrong and something you thought would be so wonderful will be so…not wonderful. Laugh it off and learn for next time.

Overplan: Not every guest will want to play games. Be open to suggestions and changes in plans. If you have a special guest, ask if there’s something she would like.

Do it alone: Ask for help and make a list of assignments for your friends. Tea might sound easy, but it’s big business and letting someone else do the small stuff will allow you to focus on the bigger battles.

Spike the tea: Tea is meant for tasting. While some mixes call for alcohol, by and large the plants are to do their magic on a holistic level. If your guests must have the bubbly, plan a post-dessert champagne toast.

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All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players….

—Jacques in William Shakespeare’s As You Like It