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“I’ll take care of the balloon display.” Mercedes gathered up the bouquet of balloons, leaving Carlita to figure out the configuration of the tables displaying the raffle items.

Steve, noticing her dilemma, came to her rescue and brought over a third table. They arranged the trio in a U-shape, which helped spread out the display.

A sense of accomplishment and pride washed over Carlita as she stood back to inspect their handiwork. So many of the Walton Square business owners and friends had stepped up to help Steve and Paisley get back on their feet.

Autumn had even convinced the head honchos at the Channel Eleven News station to give her some precious airtime to pimp the upcoming party and fundraiser to their local viewers, enticing them with all the goodies being raffled off—and there were a bunch.

Carlita pulled the list from her pocket and double checked to make sure the numbers matched the items up for raffle.

-Sam Ivey: Downtown tour—Group of 4 -Colby’s Corner Store (Ken Colby): Gift basket, valued at $200. -Elvira / EC Investigative Services: A background search with follow-up consultation. -Savannah Swag Pawn Shop: Gold necklace, valued at $500. -The Parrot House: 2 dinners. -The Flying Gunner: 2 tickets for the pirate show. -Ravello’s Italian Eatery: Catered dinner for 2 at the winner’s chosen location. -Mercedes Garlucci: Author signed hardcover book of choice. -Autumn Winter: Picnic gift basket: wine, cheese, goodies. -Cool Bones: Entertainment gig / package, for a three hour Cool Bones and Jazz Band concert.

The list went on, with other area businesses who donated goods and services—a pub crawl, haunted ghost tours, spa packages, everything Savannah and then some.

After confirming the tickets matched the prizes, she logged onto her iPad to go over the extensive RSVP list. Shades of Ink would be wall-to-wall people, all opening their pocketbooks to help one of their own who was in need.

Carlita finished her checklist only moments before the food arrived. There were plates, platters, bowls and trays of Italian dishes from Ravello’s, along with a tantalizing array of pub fare from the Parrot House Restaurant. Cool Bones and his band arrived and began setting up near the reception area.

It was all hands on deck with Pete, Tony, Mercedes, Paisley, Steve, and Carlita directing workers and gearing up for the big night.

At precisely six thirty, the guests arrived. Steve stood near the door of his tattoo shop, thanking them for coming. With serving staff from Ravello’s and Pete’s restaurant on hand to help with the food, the party progressed seamlessly. Food, drinks, dancing, and catching up with friends and neighbors.

Breaking away from hosting, Carlita lingered off to the side, taking it all in. It warmed her heart to know the locals had come out to pitch in and make the event a resounding success, not only by purchasing raffle tickets but also donating at the door.

Mercedes caught her mother’s eye and made her way over. “At the risk of patting myself on the back, I think it’s safe to say we knocked this party out of the park.”

“We did. Thanks to a lot of hard work and Autumn, along with Channel 11 News, helping us reach as many people as possible.”

“Speaking of Autumn, I think she’s in trouble over by the beverage station.”

Carlita followed her daughter’s gaze, noticing the young woman was trapped in the corner by a tallish man, on the thin side and with gray hair.

“The guy was hitting on me earlier, commenting about my hair and how nicely my dress fit. He looks like he’s getting a little too chummy with Autumn now.”

“Let’s go rescue her.” With a look of determination in her eye, Carlita marched across the room with Mercedes hot on her heels.

As luck would have it, by the time they got there, Mr. “Overly Friendly” had moved on.

“Hey, Mrs. T.” Autumn’s tense expression relaxed. “It looks like we’re running low on cups. Do you know where they are?”

“In the closet.” Carlita eased past her, pulled out the box, and set another stack on the table. “Thanks for keeping an eye on the beverages. Who was the guy that just walked away?”

“A local business owner. He recognized me from my show, the one featuring this fundraiser. He wanted to know what it would take to feature a story about his business. I’ve had a few of the area businesspeople asking me how to get some airtime.”

“Because you’re a local star now,” Carlita teased. “Your Divine Eats in Savannah show has made you famous. I know for a fact you’ve helped Ravello’s attract new customers.”

“I thought he was trying to put a move on you,” Mercedes said.

Autumn grimaced. “All the while we were talking, he was looking me up and down. He also made a flirty remark about my dress.”

“He did the same thing to me, making suggestive comments about how nice my dress hugged my curves in all the right places.”

“Now that I think about it, I believe he mentioned owning a car dealership somewhere in Savannah.”

“Shame on him for his behavior,” Carlita scolded. “He’s old enough to be your father. At least he’s gone now.”

Mercedes bounced on the tips of her toes. “We don’t have to worry about him cornering us again. He just walked out the door.”

“With a young woman. Maybe he got lucky and picked someone up. I say good riddance.” Autumn clapped her hands. “Have you noticed how many raffle tickets are being sold?”

Carlita had been keeping tabs. According to her calculations, they were running low and sold even more than she originally anticipated.

Eager to get a jumpstart on the fundraiser, Colby’s Corner Store, Ravello’s Italian Eatery, the Garlucci’s pawn shop, Pete’s restaurant, Elvira’s business, along with several of the other local business owners had done some pre-selling at each of their locations. “They’re being snapped up left and right.”

“Sweet,” Autumn whooped. “At this rate, Steve and Paisley will be able to catch up on the mortgage and maybe even get ahead.”

“By all accounts, I would be shocked if we didn’t raise enough money between the raffle and donations at the door.”

Midway through the event, during the band’s fifteen-minute break, Steve took the stage. “I want to take a moment to thank you for coming out for our fundraiser. I also want to give a special shout out to Pete and Carlita Taylor, Mercedes Garlucci, and my sister Autumn for all of their hard work in organizing the event.” He motioned to the band off to the side. “Last, but not least, I want to thank my good friends, Cool Bones and the Jazz Boys, for the awesome tunes tonight.”

Steve paused, and Carlita could see he was becoming emotional, his lower lip trembling. “I’ll be the first to admit, I’m a proud man. The thought of holding a fundraiser was the farthest thing from my mind. It’s been humbling to admit I…we…need help.”

While he talked, Paisley quietly made her way to his side.

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for showing up, for donating prizes, for your support. This...” He swept his hand in a wide circle. “This is what Walton Square and Savannah are all about. I love you. I appreciate you, and I hope when this is all over Shades of Ink tattoo shop will be around for many years to come.”

He set the mic back on the stand, grasped Paisley’s hand and stepped off the stage to a thunderous round of applause. The crowd moved aside to let them pass, but not without pats on the arm, slaps on the back, hugs and words of encouragement.

Carlita looked away, sudden tears burning the back of her eyes. Steve was right. It was a humbling yet incredible show of support not only within their small community but also within their beloved city.

The hours flew by, and before she knew it, Mercedes took the stage to announce the winning tickets. One by one, the gifts were claimed and the festivities wound down.

Not long past midnight, only a few stragglers remained, those who offered to hang around and help clean up. The leftover food was boxed and stored in the fridge for Steve and Paisley.

Disassembling the folding tables was quick and easy. Meanwhile, Paisley, Autumn and Dernice, who had been “late to the party,” having to cover a security job during her sister’s absence, helped remove the decorations while Carlita swept the floor.

Finally, the last remnants of the party were gone. Carlita propped the broom in the corner and limped over to where the others had gathered. “Well? Do we have a final tally of how much we raised?”

“We do.” Mercedes triumphantly waved a sheet of paper in the air. “Anyone want to take a wild guess?”

“Two grand,” Autumn said.

“More.”

“Three thousand,” Pete guessed.

“More,” Mercedes sing-songed.

“Four plus some change,” Carlita said.

Her daughter jabbed her thumb up.

“Five thousand dollars?” Paisley gasped, pressing her hand to her chest.

“Not even close. The fundraiser brought in sixteen thousand, seven hundred and fifty-two dollars,” Mercedes said. “Some attendees didn’t want raffle tickets. They just wanted to give cash in addition to the donation at the door.”

“Which means we made over seventeen thousand dollars if you factor in the pre-event raffle tickets sold.”

“Yep.”

Steve whistled loudly. He lifted Paisley off her feet and spun her around. “Not only are we gonna get caught up on our mortgage, but we’ll also be able to put some money aside.”

Carlita clapped her hands. “This is great news. At the risk of saying I told you so…I told you so.”

Steve set Paisley down and wrapped his arms around Carlita in the biggest bear hug she’d ever had. “Thank you. I don’t know how I can ever repay you for putting this fundraiser together.”

“You’re welcome.” She hugged him back and held him at arm’s length. “I like a happy ending, when the good guys actually get ahead.”

Luigi ran over to grab a leftover bottle of champagne. “I propose a toast.”

“A toast,” Mercedes echoed.

“To the best bunch of business owners in all of Savannah.”

“Here. Here.” Dernice lifted her glass. “I’ll toast for Elvira.”

“You helped just as much as she did.” Carlita lightly clinked her glass to Dernice’s. “Here’s to safe travels and big adventures for your sister.”

“May she return to Savannah with a bag full of gold,” Pete joked.

“Or tales of some whopper adventures,” Luigi said.

“It’s getting late. I’m beat.” Carlita and Pete were the first to head out. “Do you need to swing by Ravello’s?” he asked as they stepped outside.

“I texted Arnie earlier. He said there was nothing for us to do.” Carlita slipped her arm through Pete’s as they meandered along the sidewalk. “I’m thrilled Steve and Paisley will be able to catch up on their mortgage.”

“More than catch up.” He squeezed her hand. “Thanks to you. With a fresh start, I’m confident it will be smooth sailing from here on out for them.”

“You know it.”

The couple reached the corner, near the front entrance to Savannah Swag, the Garlucci’s pawn shop.

Crunch. She tightened her grip on Pete’s arm as her foot slid. “Whoa.”

“Careful.” He reached out to steady her.

Crunch.

“The sidewalk is slippery.” Carlita shifted her foot, noticing shards of broken glass scattered across the sidewalk. “It looks like broken glass.”

Her first instinct was to check the pawn shop’s front window. Much to her relief, a quick inspection revealed the glass appeared to be intact. “Maybe someone broke a bottle.”

Pete stepped back and lifted his gaze. “It wasn’t a broken bottle. The window above the pawn shop is busted out.”