A Garden of Rose and Bone

Be My Valentine

Lili called her boss and told him she was taking the entire week off. At first, he told her that wasn't possible.

"You know I need my beauty rest, Chris," she said with a sensual flourish.

Suddenly, his tune changed. Taking a vacation was no problem at all! I always envied her skills with smooth talking. Lili could convince anyone to do what she wanted if they were with her long enough. I stayed with her for the rest of the week. When Lyn showed up every morning asking for me, she would close the door in his face after giving him some scathing remark.

 He was in the doghouse and would stay there until I said otherwise. But each time he came, Lyn would give me the most affectionate smile. I wasn't sure why someone would be so excited to see me but it was hard to resist. When he begged for a Valentine's date, I relented. Both Lili and Lyn had such magnetism with people.

Once, in sixth grade, I couldn't finish my math homework because my hallucinations (which I thought were demons) terrorized me all night. I wasn't able to comprehend formulas or even numbers. Mrs. Campette gave me a failing grade on the assignment the next day, saying that I was just being lazy.

Lily held our teacher with a stare and said, "Mrs. Campette, you want to give Aurora high marks for the rest of the year."

As if by magic, my grades were perfect the next day. I used to believe that Lili had powers of some kind. Her persuasive charm came in handy as my illness worsened. There would be days when all I could do was sit and stare at the wall.

She used that charm to trick me into going shopping with her for my date outfit. We wandered through the mall, perusing dresses. She had a hell of a time trying to get me to go. I complained that I already had a closet full of finery, thanks to Lyn. This wasn't necessary.

"I want you to pick your dress!" She said, pulling me along the racks of glitter and glitz.

Lili informed me that Lyn had planned a lovely Valentine's night out. For years now, I served drunk couples at Diggity and cleaned up their puke. It was strange celebrating for once. I rejected a plethora of gowns. Shopping stressed me out, but trying on clothes was the worst. My attention always landed on imperfections.

"Rora, you're great in everything!" Lili said. "What's wrong?"

"I feel hideous." I pinched and prodded at myself, and she slapped my hands from my curves.

"You look alive, dear. Gorgeous. Breathtaking!" Lili grasped my shoulders. "Try another."

We search the racks. A forest green fabric caught my eye. I took up the hanger. The material was velvety soft. It wouldn't drive me up a wall with sequins or beads. The off-the-shoulder number had a sweetheart neckline and a midi skirt with flowing ruffles.

I gave the dress a shot. It went on with ease. When I modeled it, Lili clapped.

"It's perfect."

My best friend and I returned to her house and I slipped into my dress. She used the curling iron to make romantic spirals with my tresses. My stomach fluttered with nerves about the date. What if it went bad?

"I love it when you wear dark lipstick shades, but tonight I think we'll go for something softer," Lili said as she traced my lips, giving them a delicate pink sheen. "We don't want him to get too excited."

I couldn't help but laugh. "I'm not that riveting."

"I think it's safe to say that he disagrees."

"Then he's weird." I looked down as Lili powdered and primped me some more. Of course, she did an immaculate job. I peered at myself in the mirror. She had turned a pumpkin into a princess.