The Perfect Dress(81)

“You, too, Jody,” he said.

“Was that Quincy?” Paula asked.

“Please, sweet Jesus, tell me that it was, so we can talk about something other than whether I made the biggest mistake of my life,” Mitzi said.

“It was Quincy, and I’ve agreed to go out with him. Mainly to shut him up. One little date and he’ll realize that I’m not all that interesting,” Jody said.

“Don’t underestimate yourself,” Mitzi said.

“If he hadn’t seen something he liked, he wouldn’t keep asking,” Paula told her.

“Maybe he’s always gotten what he wants and he can’t stand rejection.” Jody started out of the room and then turned around. “I’ve got to admit, I’m terrified. I’ve never dated anyone other than Lyle. Never been with another man or even kissed another one.”

“Then it’s time.” Mitzi followed her across the foyer, with Paula right behind them. “And I got to admit that I’m terrified, too.”

“Add me to the list,” Paula said. “Y’all are worried about relationships. I’m scared that I’ll be terrible at this single-mother stuff.”

“Thank goodness that we’ve got each other,” Jody said and meant it from the depths of her heart.



Two weeks, a dozen appointments from the bridal fair, ten orders for flowers for weddings, and no calls or texts from Graham later, Mitzi still hadn’t gotten things analyzed. No matter how many dresses she sketched, cookies she baked, or sleepless nights she endured, she was still in turmoil about Graham. She’d picked up and replaced the phone at least four times a day to call him, written a hundred texts but then deleted them before she sent them.

Then it was July Fourth, their first holiday to close the shop since they’d opened in December of the previous year. On Memorial Day they’d closed the doors, but they’d worked all day on a rush order for a dress. But after the past two weeks, they decided that they deserved a day off.

Fanny Lou came by that morning with a bag of doughnuts she’d purchased just before the pastry shop had closed the day before. She plopped it down on the table and took a gallon of milk from the refrigerator. “I’ve come to talk about this bullshit going on with you and Graham, Mitzi, and what’s happening with you and Quincy, Jody. This has gone on long enough for both of you.”

“Nothing to talk about. He asked me out when we went to the lake. I said no. He said to figure out what I want and then let him know,” Mitzi explained in as few words as possible.

“And Quincy and I’ve been talking almost every day,” Jody said. “When we know each other well enough, I’ll go out with him. Maybe even this weekend.”

“It’s not fair to leave two good men hanging like this.” Fanny Lou poured four glasses of milk and tore the doughnut bag down the side. “They ain’t goin’ to wait around forever. I heard this morning that Rita has been to see him three times this last week. All at the dealership. Do you want her back in those girls’ life, or worse yet, back in his? Sounds like she wants another baby.”

Mitzi knew all that already, but there was still a little niggling thought pestering her about why Graham was attracted to her. Every relationship she’d ever had came up short because she’d measured the guy by the kind of man she thought Graham was. There was no doubt about her love, but his was a different matter. Sure, he said he felt sparks, but that might be because he hadn’t been with a woman in a while.

“Well, cat got your tongue, or are you going to comment?” Fanny Lou asked.

“I thought maybe Rita had given up.” She picked out a jelly-filled doughnut and took a bite out of it.

“That woman is like them flesh-eatin’ fish. Piranhas. She’s made up her mind to have him and she just might get him if you don’t decide what the hell you want. You’re runnin’ from your own heart.”

Mitzi didn’t argue, but why were so many people interested in her life? She was past thirty, had been working and making her own way for the most part for the past fourteen years. Sure, she’d screwed up a few times, but she’d learned from her mistakes.

“Why is it so important to all y’all that I date Graham? Is it because he’s a big man, and I don’t look so fat when I’m with him? Is it because he’s got money, and y’all want to see me comfortable? Just what the hell has he got that keeps you pushing me toward him?” She could hear the chill in her own voice.

“Size and money ain’t got nothing to do with it. You had a glow, a happiness and contentment, when you were spending time with him. The past two weeks you’ve been unhappy, even with this job that used to be your dream come true,” Fanny Lou said. “I want you to be happy like you used to be.”

“And Jody? She needs to be happy, too, right?” Paula asked.

“Absolutely,” Fanny Lou agreed and turned to focus on Jody. “Quincy is a good, decent man. I know it hasn’t been long since Lyle left you, but this might be the way for you to get all that shit finalized. Step outside your comfort zone and peel off that brand Lyle put on your heart all those years ago. There’s good guys out there and Quincy is one of them. I’m not telling either of you to jump into what you call a relationship these days, but I am telling you to get things settled. I don’t like the way you’re acting.”