Tiana (3 page)

A
s the evening stars appeared in the night sky, Tiana was bustling around the kitchen. Her hair was twisted up in a fancy bun on top of her head. The dress her mother had made for her fit perfectly. Her fancy apron shielded her from any splats or spurts from the pots simmering on the stove.

Louis was playing his beloved trumpet in the dining room, along with Naveen and the band. Once again, Tiana hummed happily. She felt like a princess in her palace. And tonight it was as if the ball she had always dreamed about would finally happen.

“Why, it smells and sounds like a grand ole party in here!” Charlotte said as she burst into the kitchen.

Tiana looked over at her good friend. Charlotte was wearing a pink dress that looked delicious enough to eat. “You look beautiful, Lottie!” Tiana called. “I love your dress!”

“My favorite dressmaker and sous-chef made this for me,” Charlotte said, beaming at Tiana's mother.

Eudora laughed and looked down at her hands. “Yes, if I'm not sewing, then I'm chopping vegetables!” she said, laughing. She blew Charlotte a kiss and then turned her attention back to her work.

“Daddy is already at our table,” Charlotte said to Tiana. She gestured to the dining room. “But I had to come in and see you! I'm so excited about your grand opening.”

“Me, too,” Tiana gushed. “It's been a crazy day, but now I think we're all set.”

Charlotte peered under a cloth on the counter. She licked her lips when she saw what was underneath.

“Can I sample of one the princess's famous beignets?” she asked. The freshly fried dough squares sprinkled with powdered sugar were too tempting!

Tiana laughed. “Sure,” she said. “Help yourself!”

“Oh, these are simply the best!” Charlotte declared.

As Tiana watched her friend enjoy the treat, she couldn't help but sigh. Leaning against the counter, she checked her list of things to do for opening night. “I can't believe it—we're right on schedule,” she told her friend. “I've been checking my list, and everything is going well. Now we just have to wait for Jono La Crème to arrive.”

Licking the sugar off her fingers, Charlotte nodded. “I had no doubt that you'd have a schedule. You've always had a plan, Tiana. And that plan involved opening this very restaurant. Don't worry, Jono is going to love this place. It'll be the best party New Orleans has seen since Mardi Gras!”

She spun around joyfully, accidentally knocking the plateful of beignets to the floor.

“Oh, sugar sticks!” Charlotte cried. “Look what I've done!” She bent down to gather up the beignets. “I'm so sorry, Tiana! Now you won't have any beignets for opening night.”

Tiana patted her friend's arm. “Don't worry,” she said. “I think I still have time to make some more. Nothing is going to ruin this night!”

She tossed the fallen beignets in the garbage. “I'm concentrating on one thing at a time. All the food is being warmed up. The music is playing, and friends are arriving.”

But Tiana was worried. What else could go wrong? she wondered.

Just then, the kitchen door swung open. Naveen entered with his parents, the king and queen of Maldonia. Tiana rushed over to greet her in-laws with a formal bow, but they both reached out to give her a hug.

“We're thrilled to be here,” the king said, grinning. “I've been dreaming of your gumbo our whole trip.”

“And your delicious corn bread,” the queen added. “Everything looks wonderful, Tiana. Well done!”

Tiana blushed. “Thank you for coming. This night means so much to me, and to Naveen. He and the band have prepared a special song in your honor.”

Naveen nodded. “Yes, it's true,” he said. “We've come up with a few new numbers for this evening. We hope that you'll dance and enjoy.”

Lottie clapped her hands together and did a little jump. “I am just so excited to be here for this party.”

“Come out and greet our guests,” Naveen said, taking Tiana's hand. “You should see all the people. Everyone is anxious to meet the princess behind the food!”

He saw Tiana's eyes flash.

“No, Jono La Crème isn't here yet,” he said, assuring her. “But don't worry, he'll have a great time—and a great meal—once he arrives.”

Tiana followed Naveen, his parents, and Lottie out the door. The dining room looked beautiful. The golden tablecloths glistened in the warm light of the chandelier. The lilies and birds-of-paradise smelled wonderful. And the delicious aroma from the kitchen wafted through the room. Tiana smiled and greeted her guests.

“Tia!” someone shouted from across the room. A girl came rushing toward Tiana.

“Georgia!” Tiana blurted out. She hugged her friend tightly. “I'm so glad you came!”

Georgia smiled. “Girl, you know I never miss a good party,” she said, grinning. Her short curly hair was styled in a bob, and her purple and black dress fit her perfectly. “Tia, this place is gorgeous,” she gushed. “You've come a long way from waiting tables at Duke's Diner!”

Smiling, Tiana thanked her old friend. When Tiana was first starting out, she had worked double shifts waiting tables in restaurants. She had big dreams but no money. While Georgia and many of her friends were out on the town, Tiana always had to work. She was thankful that her hard work had paid off, and that she could share this opening night with her old and new friends.

“Enjoy,” Tiana told Georgia.

“I will, My Royal Highness…I mean, Your Royal Highness!” Georgia said, giggling. Then she said, “I still can't get used to that.”

“I can't either!” Tiana responded. She touched the tiara on her head and moved on to the next table to greet more guests.

Just at that moment, the lights flickered. Tiana looked up, and in a flash, the lights in the chandelier flicked off.

An opening-night blackout?

That was not on the menu!

T
iana took a deep breath. Instead of seeing the golden glow of the chandelier in the dining room, all she saw was darkness. Her heart began to race. What happened? she thought. Everything was going so well!

“Sorry about that,” Tiana announced to the restaurant guests. “We'll get everything sorted out before you know it.”

In an instant, Naveen was at Tiana's side. He squeezed her hand and escorted her back to the kitchen. “We'll fix this,” he whispered in her ear. “Remember, we've been in worse situations!”

Lottie and Georgia came through the kitchen door, holding candles. “Whatever happened, we're here to help,” Lottie said.

Her mother walked over, holding a candle. “Are all the lights out?”

“Yes,” Tiana answered. “But we're going to get this fixed in no time. We have to make sure the candles on all the tables are lit.” She was grateful for the tall golden candelabras with four long, tapered candles on each table. At least people wouldn't be sitting in the dark!

Lottie, Georgia, and Tiana's mother grabbed some matches and went to light up the dining room.

“Tell Louis to start playing,” Tiana called after Lottie. “Music will keep everyone calm.”

“I'll tell him,” Lottie promised.

Tiana turned to face Naveen. “Maybe this has something to do with the new chandelier?” she said.

“I'll check on that,” Naveen said. “Do you want to make sure that there are enough candles?”

Holding up a candle to light her way, Tiana went into the storage closet.

Of all the nights for this to happen, she thought. What a royal mess!

“The food is all ready,” Eudora said to her daughter. “And it will stay hot on the gas stove!” She peered out the kitchen door. “You know, Tia, the dining room looks beautiful in candlelight. Maybe this isn't such a bad thing.”

Tiana wasn't so sure about that. She was sure Jono La Crème was expecting to see a well-lit restaurant. What would he report about a dark dining room? She hung her head.

“Maybe the chandelier was a bad idea,” she said glumly. “I just thought it would really make this place into a palace, you know?” She sank down into one of the kitchen chairs.

Her mother sat beside her. “It is a palace,” her mom said.

Tiana looked up at her mother. All of the problems that day had finally gotten to her. “Thanks,” she mumbled. “But I don't feel so royal now. I wanted everything to be perfect for the opening and to impress Jono La Crème.”

Shaking her head, Eudora laughed. “Oh, Tiana,” she said, “you don't need to impress anyone. Remember that your dream was to open a restaurant so other people could enjoy your food. You have a gift—just like your father did.”

Tiana's shoulders were still slumped. Her sparkly tiara slipped off her head and clunked down on the table.

“I have two people working on the lighting problem. It looks like a fuse blew,” Naveen reported as he came into the kitchen.

When he noticed that Tiana was looking sad, he went to her and draped his arm around her shoulders. “Don't worry, we'll get this fixed in no time.” He smiled at her. “I promise.”

Tiana wanted to believe Naveen, but she couldn't help feeling sad. “First Louis loses his trumpet, and now this! What next?”

“Come here,” Naveen said, holding out his hand. He guided Tiana over to the window and pointed outside. “Look up at the stars,” he told her. “Remember how you once wished on a star?”

Tiana nodded her head. How could she forget? That was the night she had met Naveen.

“You have your restaurant and so much more. This is just one small problem. It'll be just fine.” Naveen grinned. “Now can we please have some of your amazing gumbo?”

“Thanks, Naveen,” Tiana whispered.

Eudora came up behind them. “And no one would be prouder of you than your father,” she added. “In candlelight or in the light of a fancy chandelier.”

Tiana nodded. She had a restaurant full of people and a kitchen full of food. If this was her dream, she had better start serving it up!

“You're right,” she said. “But what will Jono La Crème think?” She looked at Naveen and her mother. “Big Daddy got him to come, and I don't want to disappoint him.”

“You'll find out soon enough,” Charlotte said, sneaking up on them. “Mr. La Crème just walked in! He's sitting at a table right now.”

“Oh, no!” Tiana said in a panic.

“Oh, he's peachy keen,” Charlotte explained. “The maître d' escorted him to his table with a candle in his hand. He seems very happy. He's already tapping his fingers to Louis's music.”

Tiana turned to Naveen. “You better get out there and play!” she said. “Louis will be wondering where you are. I'll be all right, I promise.”

Lottie went over to the table and picked up the tiara. “Here, Tia,” she said. “Now go introduce yourself to your newest guest. I just know he is looking forward to meeting you.”

A smile spread across Tiana's face. As she put on the tiara, the lights flickered back on.

Naveen gave Tiana a quick kiss on her cheek. Then he held up his ukulele. “Now I am off to play a good old piece of jazz.”

Tiana smiled and walked out of the kitchen to meet the famous Mr. Jono La Crème.