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Estella:Well, I do. Your sister will be here. Mason is catering.
I know that. Mason told me, and I was thrilled for him. He has the most successful restaurant in town, which is no easy feat in a small town. People get hung up on their favorites and get into ruts. But Mason has built a substantial following, and he’s just thirty.
Me:I don’t have anything to wear. Sorry.
A lot of people are afraid to tell Estella no. I think it’s one of the reasons she likes me.
Estella:You have time to shop. Some of the money goes to the shelter.
Ugh, the woman is too smart for her own good.
Me: I have to wash my hair that night.
Estella:I really want you to be here.
I can hear how it would sound if she were saying the words. Estella is a dragon, a woman who has had to run the family business because her husband was an idiot, and now all her sons are idiots. She doesn’t put up with crap from anyone.
But this is different. I know she worries about what will happen to the business when she is gone. I know that her favorite Taylor Swift song isClean. And while I know she probably has another reason for me to be there, it’s almost as if she needs me there. She knows I can’t tell someone who needs my help no.
Me:Fine.
I flop back on my mattress and sigh. Liv has a lot of formal dresses left over from her days as a military wife. They constantly had to go to these things they called dining outs. Unfortunately, Liv is about five inches taller than I am and not as curvy. She’s slim, with subtle curves. There is no possible way my boobs will fit into any of her dresses.
Me:I need a dress.
Liv:A dress?
Me:Estella is insisting that I come to that fundraiser thing.
I don’t know how much she can raise, but from what people tell me, she gets folks from San Antonio and Austin to attend, like all the movers and shakers. They don’t miss it because they are afraid of Estella.
Liv:*gif dancing bear* Something sparkly?
Me:I don’t know. The last time I wore a dress, Fritz was getting married.
And the time before that was when his friend Ed got married.
Me:Probably going to go to San Antonio to shop.
Liv:Oh, fun! I’ll go with you.
My nerves ease a little bit. I am not good with picking formal dresses or dresses of any sort, for that matter. I have never been a woman who dressed up. I like to wear my leggings and jeans, thank you very much.
Liv:Do you have anything tomorrow night?
Me:It’s a school night.
And I know I’m not in school, but I can put off this for at least another day, right? The kids have school tomorrow.
Liv:Nope. The kids are off for a teacher workday Friday.
Dammit.
Liv:I’ll check in with Fritz and Savannah. Hopefully, they’ve rested enough for a visit.
And I know now I don’t have any choice in the matter.
It’s justafter three when I hear the front door open. I’m looking out over the yard from the kitchen window, watching the creeper who lives behind us.
