Dressing Room Chronicles

Chapter 4: Pivot

Hours later, ma’s working away at Toni’s dress. She tells her staff, “Alice is out sick but we gotta keep the train moving. I hope you all enjoyed your day off yesterday ’cause you’re gonna be working overtime today.” They groan. “I know. I’m an awful witch with a b. I cut into your evening plans. You wish I understood your sentiments. I have heard it all before so boo. Hoo. Wipe your tears and get to work.” Next, she focuses on me.

“What happened here the other day?”

“Luke’s sister got a little too close but everyone seems to think it was the other way around.” “Watch out for the young ones. They will sneak up on you; especially in college. Back in my day, it was every girl’s dream to say her man was in college. I don’t think the times have changed that much. Have they?”

I shake my head. “Nope.” At least my ma believes me. “However, we lost a sale due to it. So, I need you to also put in some OT.” “What?” She points to the cash register. “You’ve been relocated to the front.” I sigh. “Better than staying upstairs and becoming a recluse.”

Sasha notes, “Being a recluse ain’t all that bad,” while sliding me her ID. “Punch me in?” “Sure. And what do you know about being a recluse anyways?” “Well, my dad was one when he wrote his first novel. But, it never stopped him from being a great father when I needed him most.”

I wonder, “What did you need him for?” Sasha takes her ID back, lost in thought. “Thanks. I’ll talk to you later.” I sigh again. Such an enigma.

After her, three couples come to the desk requesting ball gowns. Being that they’re all lesbian, Jordan grimaces. “Can you take the dyke fest somewhere else?” I tell him, “That’s rude and derogatory.”

The lady says, “Exactly. I’ll have you know that Carrie Drew, a proud…dyke, as you said, is hosting a dinner so we can congregate and celebrate this wonderful achievement we’ve made. My wife, and I’m so glad I’m finally able to call her that, will be joining me as I gladly attend the event. Us dykes are moving up in the world, huh?” Ma picks up on the sarcasm and sternness in her tone.

“Hello. Is there a problem?” “Your worker’s language was not to our liking so we will be taking our wallets elsewhere.” “I’m sorry, ma’am. This – he – is not a representation of the whole shop. We do not tolerate that kind of attitude, I assure you.” The lady snickers. “Ha. Could’ve fooled me.” And she leaves.

Infuriated, ma looks from Jordan to me and back. “Now, I don’t know which one of you said something but I do have my suspicions.” She narrows her glance in on Jordan. “Why you looking at me? It could’ve been your son.” “I know for a fact that I raised Danny the right way. Your mother? I’m not so sure about.” His eyes lower when she brings up his mother. “My mother wasn’t even there to raise me.”

Ma nods. “Clearly but this is not a therapists’ office. Was it or was it not you?” He nods so ma carries on, “Exactly as I suspected. But, let me tell you something, Jordan. This is a business where Alice and I have a certain way of doing things. Criticizing a customer’s – better yet potential customer’s – sexual preference is not how we operate. That being said, I am going to issue you a warning slip. I want you to realize how serious this is. Another remark like that and you’re out. You understand?”

Jordan stuffs the slip into his pocket. “Sure.” If only she knew he used that same mouth to kiss her daughter. I’m tempted to say something but she storms off. “Be careful,” I warn him. “With who? Neenah? If I hurt your baby sister, you’re gonna come for me?” “I just might. I know what you’re doing to her and you need to stop.”