No, tonight the china would be the star. Jennie lifted the nearest plate, pleased with the coolness of the porcelain against her skin. Four and half years were long enough to go without declaring a love she knew to be strong and vibrant. And if nature wouldn’t take its course, then a romantic meal served on this china would.
She turned the plate in her hand, admiring the gold rim still vibrant after all these years. The enthusiasts who frequented her antique shop, Past Onto You, were always flipping things over, looking for the mark of quality or rarity. They would dismiss this china in an instant as it bore no stamp of identity, only a heart. For those that didn’t know better, the unusual color would be their reason for believing the china held no provenance.
Tracing the lavender roses hand-painted across the china surface with her finger, Jennie couldn’t help but smile. Lavender rose, the flower of love at first sight, enchantment. The main ingredients for the Valentine’s Day meal she was about to serve.
The doorbell rang. Jennie replaced the lavender plate and quickly lit the candles. She smoothed her skirt and took a long, calming breath. The success of the evening was out of her hands, she would trust the magic of the china.
Her best friends, Mark and Julia, stood together at the door, Mark holding a bottle of wine and Julia a bouquet of flowers. Jennie’s heart beat with joy at the sight of her friends and the love she knew they possessed for each other, but had yet to proclaim. Their happily-ever-after was soon to be realized as the lavender heart china had never failed three generations of matchmakers.
Neat story, Janet. I love the twist you put at the end. Good job. =o)
ReplyDeleteThanks, B.E. :)
DeleteAwwww. I love the very sweet twist at the end! And I may steal this idea! *scribbles furiously* I have a new contemporary/light paranormal series percolating and a matchmaker would be PERFECT for one of the books! *bounces in delight*
ReplyDeleteMatchmaker - yes! Matchmaker with magic china - sorry, Jennie went from a word document this morning to the idea file as soon as I finished typing 'Come in'! LOL - that idea file is getting pretty full ;)
DeleteGlad you liked it, Silver! I have my grandmother's china - I'm named after her, but she was never called "Janet", always "Jenny"! Pink roses, though, not lavender!
I promise not to steal the china magic--just the matchmaker idea. ;)
DeleteI want to set it in a small "enclave/resort" town here in Oklahoma (with the serial numbers filed off, of course - lol) centered around an artsy-craftsy shop with Native American items. The first book is about the shop owner and is VERY loosely based on "Bell, Book, and Candle." Still working on characters and overall sense of things but I know I want a matchmaker as a reoccurring character until she gets the tables turned on her. Brilliant. Just...THANK YOU! I love the way your brain works!
Love the premise, Silver. And thank you for the compliment - I know people who don't appreciate the way my mind works ;)
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