Thank God it’s Friday!
It’s 3 PM, and Tonya is still at work. Her eyes keep darting toward the clock on the desktop. The hours feel like they’re dragging — she can hardly wait.
Tonight is special. She’s heading out with her Aunties and Uncle to The Boathouse at Disney Springs — a sophisticated waterfront restaurant known for its steaks, seafood, and even vintage amphicar tours.
But that’s not the only reason she’s buzzing with excitement.
Earlier in the week on Monday
Tonya: [Excitedly] “Aunty Dee, let’s all go out to Disney on Saturday for dinner!”
Aunty Dee: “Hmm… Can we make it Friday instead? I’m traveling to New York early Saturday morning.”
Later that day, Aunty Dee and Tonya walk into Aunty Mo’s room.
Tonya: [Checking her phone] “Okay, so I looked up OpenTable… The only available reservations on Friday are at 6:30 p.m. and 9:15 p.m.”
Well, I guess it’ll have to be 9:15 p.m.”
Aunty Dee: Mo won’t go, it’s late for her.
Aunty Mo: [Shaking her head] “That’s too late for me. It’s past my bedtime.”
Tonya: [Playfully] “Past your bedtime? Aunty Mo, what’s going on with you?”
She laughs, throwing in a cheeky Yoruba saying.
Tonya: “Turaka turaka!” — Lighten up, lighten up!
Tuesday Morning, Tonya gets a call from WIGGINIT, the Atlanta-based home of “Ready to Wear Glueless Wigs.” They told her that her package would be delivered today.
Just thinking about it makes her smile. “I can’t wait!” she exclaims to herself.
The bell rings. Ding dong.
The door swings open — it’s Aunty Mo.
“How are you, Aunty?” Tonya asks quickly, barely containing her anticipation.
“I’m fine, sweetheart,” Aunty Mo replies, then adds with a knowing smile, “Your package is on your bed.”
Tonya lights up. “Eeeee! I can’t wait to open it!” she squeals.
She rushes past, briskly making her way to the kitchen where Aunty Dee and Uncle are chatting. “Hey, hey!” she calls, giving quick greetings before grabbing a knife — she can’t find the scissors — and heads to the box like it’s Christmas morning.
She tears it open, eyes wide. Inside is Slay, her brand-new 26-inch wig, carefully wrapped and cradled in bubble wrap on a styrofoam wig stand.
“Look at this beauty!” she shouts, holding it up. “Oh my God!!”
She jumps up and down in pure joy, her voice echoing through the house.
“This is going to transform my life!” Tonya declares, clutching Slay like a prized trophy. “Wait until Friday night!”
It’s 5:00 PM on Friday. Tonya finishes sorting out the last of the prescriptions and tidies up the pharmacy. It’s her final shift before flying back to England on Sunday.
At 6:05 PM, she glances at her phone as she gets into the car. Dinner reservations at The Boathouse are set for 9:15 PM. She makes it home to Kissimmee around 7:30 PM.
After greeting her aunties and uncle—Aunty Mo, Aunty Dee, and Uncle Olijay—she heads straight to the nook.
Tonya: “Aunty Mo, I forgot to buy an eyebrow pencil at MAC. Do you have one I can borrow?”
Aunty Mo: “Yes, but not sure you’ll like the color.”
Tonya takes it anyway and hurries into the bathroom to do her makeup. She then changes into a pink denim jumpsuit from Fashion Nova—the Let’s Go Party style. Over it, she throws on a short, cropped cardigan from Express, slips on her brown Gucci GG Canvas leather-trimmed sneakers, and finishes by wearing Slay, her new glueless wig.
She’s ready.
The drive to Downtown Disney is smooth with little traffic, but the car park is busy with slow-moving cars.
It’s about 8:50 PM and the streets of Downtown Disney are bustling as they make their way to The Boathouse.
“Reservations for four.”
“Come with me,” says the waiter. He seats them at a table by the lake.
“Your server will be with you shortly,” he says, handing them the menus.
The server brings out the honey-glazed bread rolls—warm and soft—with butter. Delicious is an understatement.
Drinks: Aunty Dee chooses a Strawberry Mojito, Aunty Mo opts for the new mocktail Mint Berry Wave, Tonya has a Piña Colada, and Uncle goes with a Diet Coke.
While waiting for their dinner, they admire and enjoy the view of the lake and the beautiful houses on the opposite shore. From their spot, they can also catch glimpses of the dramatic volcanic eruption display at the Rainforest Café on the other end of the restaurant. Truly an amazing view.
The server arrives, carefully placing each dish before the guests.
- Uncle and Aunty Mo: Gulf of Mexico red grouper, elegantly plated with charred corn, buttery butter beans, sweet peppers, and a sunflower-chili butter.
- Aunty Dee: A raw cooked filet mignon, served alongside seasoned red potatoes with the signature Boathouse seasoning—disappointing, as she had asked for well done.
- Tonya: Grilled salmon, brightened by a lemon vinaigrette, accompanied by tender tricolor baby carrots and broccolini.
In the center of the table, a shared side of fresh-cut fries is set down, golden and crisp.
Later, with quiet kindness, the server removed the filet mignon from the final check.
A fabulous dinner. Laughter with family. Glam at Disney Springs.
And a little extra confidence, thanks to Slay.
Interesting…. Next time please take me with you as well 😄
lol 😂
Thats sounds fun. Seems Downtown Disney is the place 🤩
You got that right