Craved Affections

Chapter 17

Elizabeth and Donna were going through racks and racks of clothing, her arm hurt from having to hold it up and shift clothing.

"Are there all Wyatt's?" Elizabeth asked.

"Most of them are." Donna revealed. "Or Nora's."

Elizabeth said nothing for a couple seconds before resuming her search. "Oh, I like that!" She said when she found something nice.

Donna laughed at her surprising choice. "But too revealing for a wedding."

Elizabeth joined in on the laughter. "Perhaps." She resumed her search, humming neutrally until she found another that she liked. "What's that?"

"Something special Mr. Summer created." Donna informed her enthused.

"Oh, I love it!" Elizabeth gushed.

"Ah, Mrs. Summer." Donna said, taking it from her hands and placing it back onto the rack. "He made it for Victoria."

"Of course." She said longingly, biting her finger. "Has she seen it yet?" She asked the woman scrupulously.

Donna sighed. "I don't know."

"I don't think it's right for her." Elizabeth mussed. Donna looked away slightly uncomfortable.

"I think it's too young for you, Mother." Victoria said walking in after eavesdropping for a little while. Donna wanted to be anywhere but there. "And yes, I have seen it." She turned to Donna with a pleasant smile. "Hello."

"Victoria!" Donna greeted.

"Hi, Victoria." Elizabeth greeted as well. She turned and reached for something else. "I'm going to take this one, Donna."

"I'll arrange a fitting for you this afternoon." Donna said, taking the dress and exiting quickly.

"Thank you." She said, then turned to her daughter. "I'm surprised to see you here."

"I was looking for Dad." She said walking past her mother.

"Is there anything that I could help you with?" Elizabeth offered.

"No, mother." Victoria declined quickly. "Nothing you can help me with."

Elizabeth closed her eyes for a brief second. "You're excited about being maid of honor for your brother's wedding?"

"First time for everything, I guess."

"We, you know, the children and I always thought you would be the one to get married first." Elizabeth told her drawing closer.

"Me?" Victoria asked carefully.

"Yes!" Elizabeth said affirmatively. "You left home at eighteen, wanted to go out, experiment."

"I left home to go to college, Mother." Victoria replied annoyed.

"Well, there is nothing wrong with wanting to have a sense of Independence." Elizabeth shrugged.

Victoria narrowed her eyes. "I think you're talking about more than Independence." Victoria accused.

"Am I?"

"Sleeping around? Is that what you're implying?" She demanded.

"Am I wrong?" Her mother asked glibly.

"Not that I owe you any explanations," Victoria started. "But just for the record, there are no men in my life."

Elizabeth looked her up and down. "Were they ever?"

"Why do you ask?" She asked tiffed.

"I guess I'm just a mother who hasn't seem her daughter in a long time." She confessed. "And I'm trying to get to know you."