No one else would be dressed as she would be. The style was commonly seen in Atlanta, Jennie understood, even in church, but it had created an uproar at the high school earlier in the fall. The principal had decreed that the district’s ban on tight pants made the leggings forbidden articles of clothing. Without the leggings, the tunics ran afoul of the bans on bare legs and short skirts.
The girls had been irate. Following a classroom debate on the subject in one of the honors English classes, three hundred of them had arrived at school on the first of December wearing the banned items. They had reasoned that the principal couldn’t suspend all of them and, as the office began to fill with students, as the principal met resistance when he contacted parents, and as teachers began to complain it was pointless to teach to half-empty rooms, he had realized they were correct, and he grudgingly had backed down.
Most administrators had supported the principal, the students had supported the girls, and the parents and teachers had been divided. The matter finally had been brought before the school board. Knowing how his daughters and wife would react if he supported the principal, the chairman had abstained on the motion to ban both the tunics and the leggings, and it had failed to pass. The issue was still a sore subject in the school district, and Jennie felt certain no one else would have the daring to arrive at the party in a tunic, tights, and boots.
She pulled on the leggings. They were a deep shade of rose, chosen to compliment her deep red tunic. Tasha and Alexis had advised her that if she bent over the slightest bit, then anything she wore under the leggings would show, and they had assured her the leggings alone would be sufficient. She checked them in the mirror and smiled. Flat stomach, toned body. Not a wrinkle, not a bulge.
She looked terrific. Any guy would think so.
She slipped the tunic over her head. The hem fell about an inch below the tips of her fingers. It was made of a soft knit with puffy sleeves and a drawstring neckline.
The drawstring made it possible to wear the top in several ways. If she tied it at the center front it created a keyhole effect, a classic look she might wear to the theater. If left open, it could be worn off her shoulders, like a peasant blouse. In that event, though, she could not wear anything underneath. She tried both styles and chose the second option, the peasant blouse, for tonight. It was definitely the sexier choice.
She carefully inserted earrings. Each had a cluster of small sapphires, with thin gold chains hanging from each cluster, like fringe. She’d had her ears pierced just a week ago, and Thomas had not seen her since.
The technician at the department store had put gold posts in her ears when she had pierced them. She had told Jennie to leave them in for…six weeks, was it?
Jennie shrugged. Wearing pretty earrings a couple of times wouldn’t hurt.
As she slipped the second one through the tiny hole in her left ear, she imagined how her father would react if he ever saw her ears—his large round eyes, his red face and the names he would call her. She laughed. Reason enough in itself to have them pierced.
She checked herself in the mirror. Perfect.
She’d had her hair cut that afternoon after school. It was shorter than she had been wearing it, and she looked younger than she had with the loose bun she had adopted several years earlier. She was weary of feeling as if she teetered on the edge of retirement every time she caught a glimpse of herself in a mirror. Thomas did not look old, and if she was going to be his wife, she shouldn’t, either.
As she brushed her hair, she chuckled, recalling how the beautician had oohed about the new cut, assuring her it made twenty years’ difference in her appearance. Jennie had been aiming for ten and thought that to be a more accurate assessment. Her new style was similar to the cut she had worn in college, a style that had made a comeback in recent years. She smiled, hoping it would remind Thomas of happy times, before she became ill.
The brush slipped from her hand, and as she bent to retrieve it, she glanced in the mirror and started in surprise. Her tunic had fallen away from her body and she could see the top of her leggings. If I were not wearing my leggings, she thought in alarm, any guy standing in front of me could see all the way to Florida.
Then she giggled. She would definitely wear the neck untied for Thomas.
Jennie pulled on her new boots. Reaching just below her knee, the black leather matched the small handbag Christa had given her on her birthday. Checking the mirror a last time, she picked up her black winter coat and headed for the door. The coat was not part of the ensemble, but she would remove it as soon as she reached the restaurant.
***
Tasha and Alexis were both waiting for her when she reached the apartment. Tasha answered the door. When she saw Jennie, she squealed and hugged her.
“You pierced your ears,” she exclaimed. “You look so…so…terrific. I told you so.”
Alexis stared at her, a look of awe on her face. “You’re like a model. Your hair…your clothes…you seem so young…so sexy…I never thought I would say that about…” She blushed. “You’re bringing your outfit to Charleston, aren’t you?”
“Certainly.” Jennie smiled. “Wouldn’t leave without it.”
“I can’t wait for Dad to see you. He’ll…he’ll…” She shook her head.
“I hope he likes it,” Jennie tried to appear to be concerned. She paused, and then she laughed. “I can’t wait, either.”
They talked for a few minutes, planning what they would do once the girls reached home.
“We’ll hardly see you,” Alexis complained. “We won’t be home until Thursday, and you’re leaving the next day.”
“I know, but perhaps I’ll be back the next week. We’ll see how things go. Anyway, I need to run.”
As Jennie walked down the steps toward her car, she heard the two of them talking.
“I’m going shopping tomorrow. Robbie would go wild if I could look half that good.”
“Guys will definitely get excited. They have no imagination, you know, but with leggings and a tunic like that, they don’t need much. I call mine my boyfriend dress.” Tasha giggled. “Ryan specifically told me to wear it tonight. A bar near Little Five Points is giving two-for-one drinks to college students. A whole group of his friends will be there.”
***
Jennie removed her coat as she stepped under the portico in front of the restaurant. She was planning a grand entrance. The host guided her though the main dining area to a private banquet room in the rear.
She was a few minutes late, and people were milling around, talking, drinks in their hands. She guessed there were over a hundred people present. Almost all of the staff had arrived and many of them seemed to have brought along a guest. She stopped just inside the door.
At first, no one noticed her, then Jennie spied Kara talking with Ms. Watkins on the other side of the room and Jennie waved. Kara saw her and lifted her hand tentatively, as if uncertain who Jennie was.
Then, the light seemed to dawn. Kara turned completely away from Ms. Watkins. Her mouth dropped and her eyes opened wide. Heads turned as she ran across the room, excusing herself as she went, almost causing several people to spill their drinks. She threw her arms around Jennie.
“Wow,” she exclaimed. “I mean…wow.” She stepped back for a better view. “Simply fantastic. Oh, wow.”
Jennie smiled. It was the reaction she had hoped for. “Thanks. I try.”
“You try? I try, Jennie. You do it.”
“Thank you, Kara.” Jennie hugged her.
Ms. Watkins approached, a stern expression on her face. Those standing nearby fell silent, as if expecting a confrontation. Jennie suddenly felt like a child summoned to the principal’s office. She would not turn and run, though, and she stood straight, and looked her in the eye.
“Merry Christmas, Ms. Watkins.”
“Merry Christmas, Jennie. You look quite nice tonight. Taking sides in the great debate, are you?”
Jennie caught her breath. “Not at
all, Ms. Watkins. I’m simply wearing current fashion.” She turned to model her outfit. “Surely others are wearing tunic tops and leggings.” She glanced around the room, hoping to find no one dressed the same.
“None that I’ve seen.”
Jennie shrugged. She noticed the twinkle in the principal’s eye.
“Okay, you’ve got me.” She gave an exaggerated sigh. “Principal Farris at the high school is a dinosaur. He needs to drag himself into the twenty-first—no, into the twentieth, century. It is current fashion, and my daughter told me I look fantastic.”
“I do believe you’re correct about Dr. Farris.” Ms. Watkins laughed. “And your daughter’s assessment is accurate too. You do look quite nice. If I were younger and thinner, I might be dressed just as you are.”
“Why thank you. I’m glad you like it.”
“Thank you for talking to Amy Sutton’s mother,” Ms. Watkins continued. “She apologized to me for the things she said about you. She told me that after Christmas, she would have Amy in bed on time and would make certain she completes her homework. Maybe some of what you told her got through.”
Jennie smiled. “I hope so.”
A few minutes later people began to take their seats. The room was arranged with a number of small tables, and Jennie found herself sitting at one in the center of the room, with Kara on one side and Howard on the other. Ms. Watkins sat across from her with two of the other third-grade teachers, one on either side.
Howard arrived at the table with two glasses, one for him and the other for Jennie. She put her cola aside, taking the glass from his outstretched hand.
“Thank you so much, Howard. You’re sweet.”
“Jennie? Is that wine?” Kara frowned.
“It’s punch.” Jennie turned to Howard. “Isn’t that right, Howard? It’s punch?”
“Of course it’s punch.” Howard smirked. “It’s a special concoction. Try it.”
Jennie took a small sip. “Hey, that’s good.” She tried it again. If it was fruit punch, then Jennie was a monkey’s uncle.
“That’s really good. What is it?”
Howard shook his head. “My own recipe. I only give it to special people.”
“I suppose I’ll have to find a way to make myself special.” She smiled at him. “I’m sure you can tell me how I might do that.”
“We’ll talk about it.” Howard returned her smile. “Drink up,” he whispered.
The waiters served the salad. A pianist began to play and Christmas music floated softly through the room.
Jennie placed her hand on Howard’s arm. “I’m sorry I couldn’t ride over with the three of you. I wanted to see my daughters for a couple of minutes.” The top of her tunic had crept up, toward her neck, and she adjusted it, pulling it back off her shoulders. She looked up at him and smiled. “Maybe I can give you a ride home.”
Howard’s eyes focused on her tunic. “I’d like that very much.”
Kara glanced at Jennie from the corner of her eye and shook her head.
“So, what is everyone doing for Christmas?” Ms. Watkins asked.
“I’m going home,” said Janice Dorn, who taught in the room across the hall from Jennie. “See my parents, lie on the beach…”
“Where is home?”
“Key West.” She smiled. “It’s sunny there today and eighty-two degrees.”
“Not fair, not fair,” Jennie said. “Not fair at all.”
“Kara, how about you?”
“We’re staying in town. Both of our families live in Carrollton, so we’re having a big dinner at Mom’s house.”
Ms. Watkins and the other teacher, Marty Johns, were staying at home too.
“Where is Mr. Watkins,” Jennie asked. “I never see him at our parties.”
Ms. Watkins smiled and shook her head. “He gave them up long ago. As you know, people sometimes behave, shall we say, inappropriately, and I’m forced to don my principal’s hat. John finds it embarrassing when that happens, so he elects to pass on the parties. Of course, he’s eating Chinese takeout and watching Christmas-week reruns on TV, so I believe I made the better choice.” She chuckled.
“Howard, what are your plans?” Ms. Watkins asked. “What are you up to for the next two weeks?”
“I’m cruising the Caribbean,” he proclaimed. “Sun, suds, and sleep.”
“I’ll buy the first two, but sleep?” Jennie giggled. “I thought those cruises were about girls, girls, girls. I’ll bet very little sleep occurs.”
“That too, of course,” he said. “You ought to tag along. I’m sure we can find a place for you.”
Jennie shook her head. “I think not. I’ll be in Charleston for a couple of days, but I’ll be home on Christmas Eve and spend the weekend with Mom.” She turned her head to one side and smiled. “Another time, maybe.” She sipped her drink.” I may go back to Charleston after Christmas. Depending.”
“Depending on what your guy gives you for Christmas?” Janice asked.
Jennie felt her face growing warm. “He’s giving me a surprise.”
“A ring with a sparkling diamond surprise?”
Everyone laughed.
“Since it is a surprise, I couldn’t possibly say.” Jennie smiled and shrugged.
The waiter arrived with their dinners.
“Shrimp,” Janice exclaimed. “I do love shrimp, but they are so expensive. My father promised I could eat them every night while I’m in Florida.”
Howard stood. “Another glass?’’ he asked Jennie.
“That would be so nice.” She reached for her wallet.
Howard held out his hand to stop her. “My treat.”
“Well, thank you very much.” Jennie reached out and squeezed his arm.
“What are you doing?” Kara whispered as he walked away. “You’re flirting with Howard. I’d think you’d been drinking if I didn’t know better.”
“A little casual flirting never hurt anyone. You remember high school…”
“Well, you’re an adult now. And Howard is too. So be careful. Howard will want something in return.”
“Like what?” Jennie asked innocently.
“You know full well what I mean.”
Jennie laughed. “Howard? He’s all talk. I’ll be all right.”
Kara sat back in her chair, her arms folded across her body.
“Relax, Kara. I’m just having a good time.”
Ms. Watkins and the other teachers were discussing the relative merits of wild, domestic shrimp and foreign, farm-raised ones when Howard returned and placed a tall glass beside Jennie’s plate.
“What’s in the punch, Howard?” Kara asked.
“Old family recipe. If I tell you, I’ll have to kill you.” He and Jennie laughed at the old line.
“Let me try some.” Before Jennie could object, Kara reached for the glass. She sipped, then she tipped the glass back, taking a big drink.
“Oh, oh. Ugh.” Her body shuddered and she began to cough. “That’s disgusting. What’s in it?”
“Just fruit juice, Kara. Right, Howard?” Jennie turned to him and winked.
Howard smirked. He covered his mouth and nodded vigorously. “Fruit juice.”
“Haven’t you tasted, uh…mango juice before, Kara?” Jennie asked.
“No, and if that’s mango juice, I’ll not give it a second try.” She coughed again. “Jennie, I need to go to the restroom. Come with me,” she ordered.
Kara strode toward the door, Jennie trailing behind. She felt like a bad child who was about to be punished, but she giggled as she pictured the expression of disgust on Kara’s face as she’d gulped the punch.
She was still chuckling as they left the banquet room, and Kara wheeled about.
“Mango juice, my hind foot. I tasted beer, and wine maybe.” She shivered again. “Gross. What in the world are you doing? You know you can’t drink.”
“It’s all right, Kara,” Jennie spoke softly, trying to pacify her. “I told you Dr. Wilson was goi
ng to reduce my meds. Well, I’m drug free now and doing really well.”
“But alcohol…”
“It was a symptom, not a cause. I’m fine.” She squeezed Kara’s arm. “Trust me. Really. I can handle it. I’ve had wine and it doesn’t bother me at all.”
“Okay…” Kara’s voice trailed off, a doubtful expression on her face.
“Really, I’m fine.”
***
“Has anyone seen the Christmas lights at the botanical garden here in Atlanta?” Janice was asking as they returned to the table. “All of the bushes and trees just glow. You walk through the garden and it feels as if you’re in fairyland.”
“I’ve not been to the garden,” Marty said, “but have you seen John Moses’ house on the lake? You drive along, circling the lake, and it’s simply beautiful.”
“I’ll have to go out there,” Kara said. “Doesn’t it sound nice, Jennie?”
Jennie ignored Kara’s question. “When will the dancing begin? I want to boogie.” She pretended to pout.
“Boogie?” Ms. Watkins laughed. “You must have been in high school with me, back in the sixties.”
The Christmas music continued.
“I suppose we could dance to ‘Jingle Bells,’” Jennie mumbled.
As Jennie spoke, a waiter arrived holding a tray, showcasing the dessert options. On one plate was a slice of chocolate pecan pie, on the second, a piece of strawberry cheesecake, and on the third plate, an apple torte.
“May I take your orders?”
“Chocolate tops apples and berries any day,” Jennie proclaimed loudly. “Pie please,” she told the waiter. The others ordered the torte.
“Who planned the menu, Ms. Watkins?” Jennie asked as she took a final sip of punch.
“Well the social committee made the arrangements. I’m not sure exactly who decided on the food.”
“Well, let’s give all of them really good grades. The shrimp are terrific, the decorations are beautiful, and the music sounds great. A-plus all around,” she exclaimed.
Once and Future Wife Page 19
