"Oh, thank goodness," Mandy said, reaching gratefully for her glass.
"I was going to offer you some of my iced tea," Mandy said, taking another long sip of the perfectly chilled lemonade. "I got it brewed and into the fridge before we left." She sank deeper into the sofa's cushions, relishing the cool drink and the way her body settled naturally without having to shift and adjust for pain. "But this is much better since I plan to never have to move again. I'll just live out the rest of my life, sitting right here!"
Jacinth snickered. "Or until you have to feed the cats."
"There is that," Mandy admitted with a grin. She extended her foot, wiggling her toes as she inspected her brand new Chucks, all glittery pink, and she'd replaced the plain white laces with rainbow colored curling shoelaces.
"My back may not hurt like it used to, but my feet sure do," Mandy groaned, wiggling her toes inside the roomy shoes. "I think we walked every square inch of that mall. Twice." She gestured at the mountain of shopping bags visible in the entry hall. "Though I have to admit, it was worth it."
Jacinth's eyes danced as she sipped her own lemonade. Her eyes sparkled with fun. "Oh, admit it - you loved every minute of today!"
Mandy couldn't suppress her grin. "Fine, okay. Yes, I did. In fact, I had a blast! It was amazing being able to try things on without worrying about pain or fatigue. And finding clothes that not only fit, but that I actually loved, as well!" She shook her head in wonder. "I'd forgotten how much fun that could be."
"Let's see everything properly!" With an elegant wave of Jacinth's hand, the bags Mandy had dropped in the entryway materialized around them, joining the others. Jacinth reached for the nearest bag with enthusiasm.
Mandy laughed and joined in, pulling out a silky emerald green blouse. She carefully removed the price tag, smoothing the fabric before laying it across the coffee table. "This color is gorgeous. I haven't worn anything this vibrant in years."
"And look at these!" Jacinth held up a pair of perfectly fitted jeans. "Remember how amazing your legs looked in these?"
They worked their way through the bags, creating organized piles - blouses and dresses to be hung up spread carefully across the coffee table, while folded items formed neat stacks on the vacant cushions beside Mandy. Each new piece brought fresh exclamations and shared laughter.
"Oh, this one!" Mandy pulled out a flowing maxi dress in shades of blue and purple. "I still can't believe you talked me into it."
"Because it's perfect on you!" Jacinth insisted, helping her spread it out. "The way the colors shift when you move is fabulous."
Mandy shivered in delight as she pulled out the one-piece bathing suit. The fabric shimmered in shades of turquoise and deep purple, with subtle touches of gold that would catch the sunlight. She'd never have dreamed of wearing something so eye-catching before, but when she'd tried it on in the store, the way it hugged her transformed curves had given her a rush of confidence.
"This is still my favorite purchase of the day," she said, running her fingers over the silky material. The suit's design was both elegant and practical - a sweetheart neckline that flattered without being revealing, ruching along the sides that created beautiful lines, and a built-in shelf bra that provided perfect support.
The colors reminded her of a tropical sea at sunset, deep and mysterious. The fabric felt cool and smooth as she held itup, admiring how the room's lighting caught the subtle metallic threads woven through the material.
"It's like it was made for you," Jacinth approved. "It goes perfectly with the maxi dress, too. You could use that as a cover-up."
Mandy nodded, still captivated by the play of colors. The suit managed to be both sophisticated and playful - exactly what she needed for this new chapter of her life.
She exchanged grins with Jacinth. She'd forgotten how much fun it could be to go shopping with someone… forgotten how it felt to wear beautiful things, to choose clothing that made her feel confident and attractive instead of just focusing on what would accommodate her size and limitations.
A loud, demanding meow interrupted their clothing review. Bach sat in the doorway, tail twitching with clear displeasure. Mozart joined his brother's protest from the kitchen, his voice even more insistent.
"Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry!" Mandy jumped up, glancing at her phone. "It's past their dinner time. No wonder they're upset."
She hurried to the kitchen, her new Chucks squeaking slightly on the terra cotta tiles. The cats raced ahead of her, positioning themselves by their empty bowls with accusatory stares.
"Yes, yes, I know, I'm a terrible cat mom," Mandy told them as she measured out their portions. "How dare I let shopping interfere with your dinner time?"
Once the cats settled into their meals, Mandy returned to find Jacinth examining the swimming pool through the glass doors.
"Would you like a tour?" Mandy offered.
Jacinth nodded eagerly, her enthusiasm bubbling over. "Lead on!"
Mandy guided her through each room, sharing her first impressions. The Spanish tile work in the kitchen was echoed in the two full bathrooms. In the dining room, a crystal-hung chandelier cast rainbow prisms across its walls. The master bedroom proved to have exquisite mountain views on one side, the other overlooking the courtyard and swimming pool. There was a guest room, too, smaller, also overlooking the courtyard.
When they reached the library, Mandy couldn't contain her excitement. "This is my favorite room so far," she said, gesturing to the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. "Can't you just imagine curling up here with a good book on a rainy day?"
Their tour ended at the double glass doors leading to the pool area. The setting sun painted the water in shades of gold and purple, while the city lights began twinkling in the distance. The Catalina Mountains loomed majestically behind the roof's silhouette, their peaks still catching the last rays of daylight.
"It's perfect," Jacinth said softly, her hand resting on the glass. "The whole house - it's exactly what you needed."
