The shopping center was open and airy…except for the workers. They glared at us with eyes like hard chips of ice. Taylor waved her gold credit card in their direction, and they looked instantly appeased.
“Okay, Alex and Lili, you go look for the dresses. Find their location and report back to me.” Taylor said, all military-like.
“Sir, General Taylor, there are signs pointing us in the right direction.” I pointed at one of the hundred signs with a little arrow, and then snapped my hand back in a salute.
“Oh, I knew that.” And off we went, headed towards every little girls dream.
There were dresses in every size, color, length, shape, you name it, and they had it. There were many choices to make. Like sparkles vs. lace? Silk vs. taffeta? Ruffles vs. pleats? Like I said many grueling decisions.
After hours of agonizing over shoes, dresses, accessories and makeup, we found the perfect outfits.
The dress I had chosen-more like the dress that had been forced upon me-was a red corset dress, with a tutu like skirt. The ribbing and trailing lace of the dress was black. It was nearly strapless, with two thin straps holding it up. I had some black high heels to go with it. I’m sure I could find a necklace or two to go with it.
Taylor’s dress was metallic silver, with a strapless top and black lining. It was longer in the back than it was in the front. One side of the dress was cinched, and then it trailed down to a waterfall of lace. Silver, black, white and grey lace fluttered around her.
Lili’s dress was a black number. It hugged her curves, but billowed around her ankles. On the shoulders were silver loops where the front and back connected. Gold underlying material stood out against the black lace.
Elizabeth’s dress was dark purple. It was knee length, and flowed freely. There was a hand beaded black belt sewn onto the front. The straps were diamond encrusted strips.
Altogether, the total cost of all of our bounty was a few dollars short of a thousand dollars. I felt bad that Taylor had to pay for it, but she had enough money to cover five shopping trips like the one we had today. I was my friend’s charity case, but I loved the fact that I was taken care of.
We had to catch a cab back to my house. My mom was in the kitchen, stirring a pot. We showed off our clothes and tried them on. We walked around the apartment, greeting each other like:
“Why hello there. Fine weather we have been blessed with today. Why, I don’t think I have ever seen a dress as beautiful as yours!” I exclaimed, putting on my best Southern Belle of the Ball accent.
I was excited about the dance, don’t get me wrong. But I think my mom was more excited about it than I was.
I stood in front of a mirror, gazing at myself in the dress. Said dress accented my tiny waist and long hair. Lili’s dark black dress made her seem taller and willowy. Elizabeth’s black hair completed her dress and seemed to highlight her eyes and finely shaped face. Taylor’s dress flat out made her look like a movie star at a grand premiere.
I dug out my makeup and hair cases and made ourselves all nice and pretty. Elizabeth mostly surfed on the internet, looking up sad poems or things like Alfred Tennyson’s “The Lady of Shallot.”
Lili, for the most part, just sat there staring at the dress, probably dozing off.
“Thinking about your not-so-mystery man?” I asked Lili, only slightly mocking her.
“What?” She asked, stunned.
“Well you’re obviously going to ask Hunter to the dance, right?” I asked, not beating around the metaphorical bush.
“No! Why would I?” She asked, her face flushed. Everyone stopped what they were doing and stared at Lili. I don’t think she has ever blushed before today.
“Well I thought you liked him.” I said, realizing that I had said something to upset her. You have to tread lightly around Lili, because she tended to overreact. We joked about it, saying that was why all of her children were so…monstrous. Because her first name is Lilith. You have to be there to understand.
“Well, I don’t! So just go…polish your nails or something just as stereotypically correct about ‘sleepovers.’
Maybe you guys should have a shrieking pillow fight.” Sneered Lili. She huffed and turned to plop onto my bed.
“Okay, I’m sorry. You don’t like him. Good night.” I said, because it’s better to just let Lili have her way.
