by Laila Cole
***
I walked up to the food court right at 11:00 AM. I had no reason to be smiling, but I was. Susan was sitting on a bench sipping an orange Jamba Juice in the skankiest orange mini-skirt I’d ever seen. She looked up at me and smiled. “We meet again,” she said, standing up to scan my face. “You look a lot better than I expected, you can hardly even tell you were hit.”
“I guess I heal fast or maybe it’s just the make up?”
“No. Really. You look good, babe.”
I blushed. “Thanks, Susan.”
“Are you ready to shop?”
“Yes,” I said. “I’ve been ready,” of course that was a lie. I’d never been more nervous.
“Good, I know I am. So you’re a girl on a budget huh? I was thinking Charlotte Rouse.”
“Are you sure about that?”
She took another sip of her Jamba Juice and winked. “Totally! Now come on, let’s go.”
“Ok. I trust you.” We walked to the Charlotte Rouse outlet and went inside. There were beautiful dresses all over the store. My eyes were instantly drawn to a tight fitting, navy blue dress. I pulled it off the rack and let it drape over my forearm as I starred at its contours.
“Hot,” Susan said, “go put it on.”
I turned to my left and found a similar dress in red. As soon as I went for it Susan smacked my hand. “No! Not for you! Go!”
I turned around surprised, holding back my laughter. “Jesus you’re a demanding bitch!”
She smiled. “And that’s why you love me.”
I walked toward the fitting rooms, trying to stop my wandering eye from latching on to every vibrant dress I passed, but I couldn’t. I spotted a white dress with a black stripe across the middle, and when Susan wasn’t looking I snagged it, threw it over my forearm, and then locked myself into a fitting room.
I stripped to my undies and slid into the navy dress. I was instantly filled with disappointment when it made my breasts look frumpy. I took it off and put on the white dress. It hugged my curves perfectly. I rubbed my hands along my sides and stared at myself in the mirror. Not only did it fit me, and not only did it look good, but it made me confident, and most of all it made me feel pretty.
I slipped on my flip-flops, exited the fitting room and walked towards Susan who had three other dresses slung over her arm, her jaw just about dropped. “You look so damn good!”
I smiled. “This is the one, isn’t it?”
Susan looked at the dresses on her arm, contemplating if any of them could look better and nodded her head. “You’re right. I can’t beat it. Well done Jen, well done.”
“Are you proud of me?” I said.
She laughed. “Clearly my impeccable fashion sense has rubbed off on you.”
“Ha!” I said and went back to the dressing room, redressed myself in the clothes I showed up in and walked to the register with confidence.
The lady at the register gave me a smile. “That’s one of my favorite dresses in the store. It’s elegant yet simple. Good choice.”
“Thank you,” I said with a smile.
“Will that be all?”
“Yep!” I said. I pulled out my credit card, eager to pay.
“Well all right then that will be $89.71 with the tax and you will be on your way.”
I swiped my card, but as I was doing so there was a rush of fear that told me it would end up getting declined; that perhaps my husband had cancelled my cards to push me back into his arms. I waited patiently for it to authorize. A moment of relief rushed through me as the receipt printed out. I signed the receipt, grabbed my bag, and headed towards the door with Susan. “Well, that was easy,” I said.
Susan looked at me perplexed. “Is that it? You’re already done? What about make up? Accessories? Shoes?” And then she giggled. “And lingerie.”
I laughed. “You are naughty, aren’t you? I wish I could buy all those things, but this is it. It’s all I can afford for now. Thanks for your help. I really appreciate it.”
“Aww,” she said. “You’re welcome. Anytime. You know I love malls.”
My hands began to shake as I held the bag. “Well, it’s time for me to get home and get ready. I’ve got a big night tonight. Too big.”
She grabbed my wrist and stabilized it. “Don’t be nervous. Ok?”
“I’m not nervous,” I said, in a weak attempt to deny the truth.
She laughed. “Yes you are. It’s written all over your face. Just remember one thing, ok? Make no mistake my dear tonight you are in control. Damien is chasing you, not the other way around. Got it?”
I laughed. “Right. Tell that to my unconscious mind. Sorry I couldn’t stay and shop longer, but I’ve really got to get going.”
“Well ok then. Make sure to let me know how your night with Mr. Fabulous goes. Ok?”
I laughed, though it hurt my face to do so. “I will. And once again, thank you for helping me.”
I walked out of the mall to my car and drove back to my parents’ house. It was almost 3:00 PM when I returned.
The front door was locked and I fiddled with my key chain trying to find the correct key to get in. Before I could get the key into the door my mother opened it with a smile on her face, noticing my bag. “I see you’ve been distracting yourself. You’re acting like you’ve got yourself a date.”
“No I don’t. Why would you think that?”
She laughed. “Twenty-five years under my roof as my daughter, that’s why.”
“What would you say if I told you that I did?”
“Well, I’d tell you that it’s too soon, but I’m not going to stop you from being happy.”
I smiled. “Thanks mom. I love you.”
“I love you too sweetie.” She gave me a big hug and I walked to my room.
I was so nervous that I’d lost my appetite as my stomach churned and churned. I couldn’t believe that I was going to meet Damien. It seemed insane. But fate had placed an ace in my hand and I would have been a fool not to play it.
