From Heel to Heart

by Amy DeMeritt

  Elli releases a small giggle as she sets her project down, earning her a reactionary stinging slap on the arm, which just makes her laugh again as she stands and turns to Lana. She gives Lana a quick peck on the lips and lovingly pats her cheek.

  “I’m sorry, my darling. I’m not laughing at you. I understand your frustration.”

  They walk to the front of the shop where a sixteen-year-old girl and her mother are waiting in front of three mirrors. The girl is dressed in a turquoise gown with large artificial clear jewel flower accents on the shoulders and the center of the chest. The girl is staring at her reflection, poking at her soft waist and juggling her large breasts with a look of disgust on her face. She’s not heavy, but she’s not fatless either. Her mother, on the other hand, looks like a very thin runway model in her sleek business suit and looks equally disgusted with her daughter and the dress.

  “Hello, Ashley. How are we coming along?”

  She spins to look at Elli and releases a growl of frustration as she holds her arms out, saying, “Look at this ugly dress! It makes me look fat and these flowers are tacky.”

  “The dress flatters your shape.”

  Ashley glares at her mother, then looks back at Elli, and says, “I hate this dress and it does not flatter me at all.”

  With a kind smile, Elli steps forward, turning Ashley to face the mirror. “Would you like me to remove the jewel accents so you can see how the dress fits without them?”

  “Yes, take these ugly things off.”

  “You are not removing the jewels. They help distract from…”

  “Mother, just go away! You are ruining this for me!”

  “You will not speak to me that way!”

  “Mrs. Mayweather, I can always put the jewels back on if Ashley decides she prefers them. It is our wish to alter the dress so she feels her most beautiful in it for her special evening.”

  “Fine. I have a call I need to make.”

  Without waiting for a response, Mrs. Mayweather walks out of the shop, which makes Ashley smile brightly.

  “Please chop these ugly things off and destroy them. Seriously, melt them or shatter them – whatever you have to do so they can never be attached to clothing ever again.”

  Elli releases a small laugh as she pulls a small pair of scissors and a seam ripper from her apron. She snips through the threads for the accents on the shoulders. Then, being careful not to touch Ashley’s breasts, she removes the largest accent from the center of the breasts.

  “Better?”

  “A million times better!”

  “Wonderful. Now, what other changes did you discuss with Lana?”

  With bitterness in her tone, she says, “Mother wants to suffocate me. She wants the dress pulled in tighter. I told Lana she’s not doing that. I don’t want to feel like I’m tightly wrapped in shrink wrap. We didn’t discuss anything else.”

  Elli nods as she walks around Ashley, inspecting the dress and how it clings to all of her curves, highlighting the small amount of pudginess she has in her waist and on her hips. Elli pinches some of the fabric up, and using straight pins, she creates a layered effect over her hips creating a V-waistline to obscure the small bulge. After she finishes on both sides, Ashley looks at herself in the mirror with a smile, turning side to side to look at herself.

  “Can you see my fat?”

  “You’re not fat, Ashley.”

  She smiles at Elli, then steps closer to the mirrors. She carefully runs her fingers over the work, then turns to face Elli, saying, “This actually works. I like it.”

  “Wonderful. Since I pulled fabric up around your sides, I’ll need to adjust the hem of your dress so it’s an even height all the way around.” Elli squats down and presses the fabric against her calf, then pulls the front down to show how the height varies. “You see?”

  “Oh, yeah. That’s okay. It’s too long anyway. I feel like I’m wearing a tent. Can you make it so it’s just below my knees?”

  “Aye, of course.”

  Elli adds a few straight pins to mark the length then pulls her measuring tape out and measures her from the hip to just three inches below the knee, making a note of the measurement, then stands up.

  “Any other changes you would like to make?”

  “No, I don’t think so.”

  The bell above the door chimes as Mrs. Mayweather comes back in. Her lips purse into an almost smile as her eyes are drawn directly to Ashley’s waist.

  “Well, doesn’t that look better? Are we through here? I have a meeting in thirty minutes.”

  “Yes, we’re done, Mother.”

  “Be careful of the pins when you change out of the dress, Ashley.”

  She gives Elli a small smile and walks into the dressing room. Elli waves Mrs. Mayweather over to the counter and pulls the work order out of her apron that she took notes down on. She explains the alterations she’s going to make, then gives her a quote for the changes.

  “As long as she doesn’t look like she just left an eating contest, do whatever you have to. Here.”

  Mrs. Mayweather holds out a credit card to Elli, whose eyes have narrowed in anger.

  “Your daughter does not have…”

  Mrs. Mayweather snaps her fingers once with a scorning look burning in her eyes and pursing her lips. “Your business is making alterations. That’s it.” Her eyes scan Elli with her lips curling into a snobbish grin, and adds, “Besides, I don’t believe you have any room to talk. Do you?”

  “How dare you? Elli is…”

  Elli holds up a hand, and Lana quickly clams up. She crosses her arms over her chest and leans against the back-counter glaring at Mrs. Mayweather.

  “I need you to sign the work order so I can tender the charge and get to work on the alterations.”

  Looking smug, Mrs. Mayweather signs the work order, and Elli turns to the register to punch in the full amount for the alterations and runs the credit card. She has Mrs. Mayweather sign the receipt, records it in the day planner, then walks out to meet Ashley by the dressing room.

  “I don’t think I messed up the pins.”

  “It’s quite alright if you did. We’ll get right to work on this and have it ready for you in about two weeks. I’ll call to schedule you for a second fitting to make sure you’re happy with the work.”

  “Thanks, Elli. Oh, and you too, Lana.”

  Both of them smile at Ashley and nod, as Elli says, “You’re quite welcome. You have a lovely rest of your day.”

  “Let’s go, Ashley. I have things to do.”

  She waves to Lana and Elli and follows her mother out of the shop. After they are out of sight, Lana snaps, “I can’t believe that woman! Who does she think she is?”

  With a teasing smile and sarcasm in her voice, Elli asks, “Oh, are you saying you don’t know who Mrs. Mayweather is? Tut-tut, darling, you’re showing your middle-class status.”

  Elli winks at her with a small laugh and Lana’s face relaxes into a pained smile. She wraps her arms around Elli, kissing her on the lips. “Who is she?”

  “Mrs. Mayweather used to be a supermodel. Now, she’s a health and nutrition consultant for the wealthy. Her husband is a former mayor of our great city. They are very well off and very important people.”

  “Ms. Whitmore said some of these debutantes have nasty cocktails for brains, but so far, I think the parents are worse. I can’t imagine what life must be like for Ashley living with a mother like that. And the way she just insulted you… I wanted to… I don’t know… I’ve never hit someone before, but I wanted to. Elli, you’re beautiful and sexy and… I love you.”

  Elli caresses Lana’s cheek and gives her a few soft kisses on her lips. “Thank you. I love you too, darling. We have sixty more fittings to get through. Are you up for the challenge without hauling off and laying our customers out flat on the shop floor?”

  Lana laughs a little with blushing cheeks. “I’ll do my best. When is the next appointment?”

  Elli checks her
watch, and with a hard exhale, answers, “In just five minutes.”

  “Okay, I’ll try to handle it. I’ll get cleaned up from Ashley’s fitting so I’m ready.”

  “Okay, darling.”

  They share a brief kiss, then Elli turns to walk back to the work studio, but the jingle of the bell above the door turns her attention back around. It’s a pickup, so she goes to the counter to help the customer so Lana can get ready for the next fitting appointment.

  “Good afternoon.”

  “Hi, I’m here to pick up some items I brought in last week.”

  “Aye, I have them right here.”

  Elli pulls a bin up onto the counter and unloads a couple of pairs of shoes, a purse, and a stack of jeans she had to hem. She goes over the repairs to the shoes and purse, then shows her the professional hem on the jeans.

  “Would you like to try on the jeans to check the length?”

  “Yes, may I?”

  “Aye, of course. Come this way.”

  Elli leads the woman to the dressing room, and says, “Lana, Ms. Crouch is just going to use the fitting room for a moment to make sure the jeans are to her liking. Here, you are, Ms. Crouch.”

  The woman accepts the stack of jeans, then walks into the fitting room. When the door closes, Elli looks at her watch, and takes a quiet deep breath. Lana rubs her back for a moment, sensing how tired and stressed she is.

  “Mum and Dad should be back with lunch soon. We’ll break after your next appointment.”

  “Okay.”

  Elli gives her a brief kiss on the lips, then walks back to the counter to bag Ms. Crouch’s items for her. As she’s punching the items in the register for the payment, Ms. Crouch returns, putting the jeans in the bag Elli has on the counter.

  “All good, I take it?”

  “They’re perfect. Thank you. I already paid half, so I guess I still owe you sixty, right?”

  “Aye, sixty-dollars.”

  She hands the cash to Elli, and after she tenders the money, Elli gives her a receipt. “You are all set. Have a wonderful day.”

  “Thank you. Oh, I almost forgot. I am friends with the Brady’s. Last month you did alterations for Kristy’s bridal party. Do you remember?”

  “Aye, I remember well.”

  Ms. Crouch smiles and nods, saying, “You did absolutely beautiful work, especially on Kristy’s dress. My daughter is six months pregnant and we’re in the market for a baptismal dress for the baby. My daughter saw the beadwork you did on Kristy’s dress and just fell in love with it. Do you think you could make us a dress for my granddaughter?”

  “Aye, it would be an honor. Do you have something in mind for the design?”

  “I think it would be best if I have Angie come in to discuss that with you. Are you open on the weekends?”

  “Only on Saturdays from eight to noon.” Elli opens her day planner to this coming Saturday’s date. “I could meet with her any time before eleven. I have a couple of fitting appointments after that.”

  “Great. I’ll talk to Angie and give you a call to let you know when we’ll be in. Thanks again.”

  “You are quite welcome. You have a lovely day.”

  After Ms. Crouch leaves, Lana walks over to the counter with a loving smile. She leans over the counter and gives Elli a kiss on the lips.

  “Have you ever made a baptismal gown for an infant?”

  “Aye, many. More so when I was in England, but I’ve made a fair few since I’ve been back to the states as well. Care to try your hand at some beadwork, my darling?”

  “Sounds exciting.”

  The door opens, and they look over to see Maggie and Hudson walking in with Lana’s one o’clock appointment walking in behind them.

  “Hello, Mrs. Flagstone and you must be Gisselle?”

  Lana extends her hand with a warm smile. Instead of accepting her hand to shake, Mrs. Flagstone shoves a garment bag forward.

  “Yes, this is Gisselle. Are you Elli Voss?”

  Lana takes the dress, and as she starts to walk towards the dressing room, waving them forward, she says, “No, I’m Lana Scott. I’ll be assisting you today.”

  “Oh, right, Vivian mentioned you might be tagging along after Elli. Listen, I don’t have time for this to be drawn out while you’re training or playing helpful girlfriend or whatever you’re doing here. I need this done quickly and correctly the first time.”

  Lana mentally reins in her agitation and the insecurities bubbling in her stomach. She puts on a strong, unaffected smile, facing Mrs. Flagstone with courage and determination to prove she can work in this shop without customers tearing her down.

  “I understand and it is my wish for this appointment to go as quickly and as smoothly as possible as well. Gisselle, if you would please use the dressing room here, then we’ll see what needs to be done.”

  Gisselle looks awkwardly between her mother and Lana, but she takes the dress and goes into the room alone. Mrs. Flagstone squares off with Lana with her arms crossed over her chest, and Lana just continues to smile politely.

  “Tell me, why is a financial analyst considering becoming a seamstress?”

  “Many reasons.”

  “Vivian says you claim to be the best within your company. Where exactly is that?”

  “I don’t believe that is relevant to our appointment, Mrs. Flagstone.”

  She gives Lana a challenging grin with narrowed eyes, and says, “I’m just making polite conversation.” She raises her eyebrows momentarily, suggesting Lana would be rude not to supply the answer.

  Lana exhales slowly through her nose, then calmly says, “Bit-Cube Tech.”

  Mrs. Flagstone’s thin eyebrows shoot to the roof, as she says, “Really? I believe I actually do know you, or of you. I’m on the board of directors at Bit-Cube. I’m very curious why we have not been made aware that our senior financial analyst has taken a sabbatical and is possibly leaving the company. Are you unhappy in your position? Is it a management problem?”

  Lana’s heart is racing and her lungs have tightened. She glances over at the counter and seeing Elli and her parents watching and listening only causes her nerves to increase.

  Stammering to respond, she says, “No one is pushing me out the door, if that’s what you’re asking.”

  “Good for them, because they would be packing a box before the day is over.” Gisselle walks out of the dressing room, and Mrs. Flagstone points to a chair, telling her, “Sit for a moment.” Then looks at Lana again, standing taller and taking a step closer to her. “Do you know the full scale of your contribution to the company?”

  “Oh, well, I know I’ve saved the company a little over $1.5 million over the years by…”

  “Actually, your contributions go far beyond a few clerical errors that you discovered. This was kept out of the news, and obviously was never shared with anyone outside of the boardroom. But you unknowingly discovered that the former VP, Tom Jones, was embezzling and funneling money to a competitor in exchange for shares in that company. After you discovered what you thought was misappropriated funds, we investigated and learned the full truth. Had you not raised that flag Bit-Cube Tech would have gone bankrupt three years ago.”

  “I remember that situation. I thought it was very odd and let my manager know I thought something deeper was going on, something more than met the eyes.”

  “Yes, you did, and your judgement was right on the money, no pun intended. So, you see, I just can’t allow you to leave the company, at least not without a fair fight. What do we have to do to keep you? Do you want a raise? How about a promotion?”

  “Oh, uh…”

  She nervously looks across the shop at Elli and her parents and can see the worry and pain on their faces, especially Elli’s. Elli quickly looks away and starts flipping through the day planner, as if she’s trying to act like this conversation isn’t a bother to her. Lana clears her throat and looks at Mrs. Flagstone, feeling very sick and overwhelmed.

  “I honestly don�
�t think there’s anything that you can give me to make me stay. I have lost the passion for the job. I’m very happy here learning new skills every day.”

  “Oh, please, Lana, don’t be one of those fools that gives up a six-figure job to buy one of the tiny houses to live off of the grid. The charm of downgrading yourself to something simpler will quickly fade and you’ll eventually regret it. They all do.”

  “If you think what we do here is simple, then you are the fool. Working here is not a downgrade!”

  Lana storms away from Mrs. Flagstone, through the work studio, and runs up the spiral staircase to the apartment above.

  Maggie squeezes Elli’s arm, and whispers, “You better go check on her, Buttercup. I’ll handle the fitting.”

  “Thanks, Mum.”

  Elli quickly walks away and sprints up the stairs. She finds Lana in the kitchen with a bottle of vodka in hand, pouring herself her drink.

  Elli wraps an arm around her waist, and with patience and love in her tone, she asks, “Are you alright?”

  “I’m disgusted with myself.”

  “Whatever for?”

  She exhales hard, then takes a big gulp of vodka. Before she sets the glass down, she pulls it back to her lips and takes another large drink, emptying the glass, then refills it.

  Elli wraps her hand around the glass, overlapping her hand with Lana’s, and asks, “May I? I feel a bit piqued as well and could use a bit of a stiff drink.”

  Lana nods as she releases the glass, allowing Elli to take it and take a few sips. After handing it back, Lana takes another big drink, then sets the glass down. She leans her back against the counter and takes a deep breath.

  “Before I met you, I dated a very different type of woman – more like the snobs that have been coming in all month. My last girlfriend was this bitch named Niki. What Mrs. Flagstone said down there about this job being a downgrade – that’s something Niki would have said. She looked down on everyone who didn’t have to wear business professional attire to work and didn’t bring in at least eighty-grand a year. When you and I first started dating, I took you to Sky Lounge for dinner to see if you could, you know, enjoy the finer things in life. I’m no better than any of them.”