Red(21)

“I don’t even know where to start,” Ivy said. She picked up a turquoise velvet sleeve with two fingers, holding it as if it might be infested with fleas.

“Here, I’ll help you. Let’s look for stuff for you first, and we’ll deal with my dress later, okay? Give me some guidelines.”

“No pink. No white. No sequins. Nothing that makes me look like a layer cake or a bridesmaid in Barbie’s dream wedding.”

“Got it.” Felicity dug through a rack for a minute and held up a blue chiffon dress. “How about this?”

Ivy wrinkled her nose. “Too ballroom dancer.”

“All right, what about this one?” Felicity offered a black gown covered with gold flowers.

“That looks like my grandmother’s couch upholstery.”

“Yeah, you’re right.” She pulled out a sparkly green dress and held it up next to Ivy’s face. “This color looks nice with your eyes.”

“I’d look like the Little Mermaid in that.”

“Ivy, you have to try on something.”

Ivy rolled her eyes. “Fine. Just pick stuff out, and I’ll put it on. You guys can dress me up like the pliable little doll that I am.”

Haylie had finished explaining her criteria to Yolanda, and they both came over to join the search. Yolanda peered at the scowling Ivy with concern. “What’s the matter, honeybunch?”

“Ivy hates shopping,” Haylie and Felicity explained in unison.

“Tell me what you want, and if it’s here, I’ll find it, sweet thing. That’s my job.”

Ivy repeated her guidelines. Yolanda assessed her carefully over her sunglasses, then ordered Ivy to take off her hoodie. She pulled a neon-pink tape measure out of her cleavage, took a few quick measurements, and beamed. “I know just the thing,” she said as she bustled off.

Ivy flopped down on a puffy ottoman printed with giant peonies. “I’m going to end up looking like a drag queen, aren’t I?”

“Don’t worry. Yolanda’s really good at this,” Haylie promised.

“As good as she is at decorating?”

“Just wait. You’ll see.” Haylie started purposefully plowing through the racks.

A few minutes later, Yolanda returned. “Voilà,” she said, presenting a dress to Ivy with a flourish.

The gown was silvery blue-gray, pleated and draped in a way that looked almost Grecian. There was some silver embroidery around the edges, but for the most part, it was simple and understated. Ivy’s eyes widened. “Wow,” she said. “That’s actually … not bad at all.”

“It’s perfect,” Felicity said as Haylie bounced up and down and clapped. “Put it on!”

As Ivy disappeared into one of the Pepto-Bismol-colored fitting rooms, Felicity asked, “How did you do that? Ivy hates all dresses.”

Yolanda shrugged, her beads clinking together. “I’m good at reading people’s energy. I thought that dress would complement Ivy’s aura. Oh no, babycakes,” she said, snatching a purple sequined sheath out of Haylie’s hands. “Your chakras clash with that color.”

When Ivy stepped out of the fitting room, obviously uncomfortable but also grudgingly pleased, Felicity’s jaw almost hit the ground. For the first time since elementary school, Ivy looked like a girl. It was fascinating.

“Ives, you look awesome!” Felicity said.

“How does it feel?” asked Yolanda. “Are you comfortable? Is it the right length? Will you be able to walk in it in heels?”

“It’s good,” Ivy said. “I’ll take it.”

Haylie’s eyes widened. “But it’s the first dress! I mean, it’s great, but don’t you want to try—”

“No. It’s good. I’m done.” Ivy shut herself back into the fitting room.

Things didn’t go so quickly for Felicity and Haylie. Yolanda brought them gown after gown that “matched their chakras,” but none of them seemed like The One. After an hour of scouring the store, Yolanda ran out of dresses to offer. “I guess it wasn’t meant to be today, chickadees,” she said as she rang up Ivy’s purchase. “At least the universe smiled on one of you.”

“It’s all right, Yolanda,” Haylie said. “You were so helpful.”

“You’re a superhero,” Ivy declared. “Hopefully I won’t ever need another dress, but if I do, I’m coming back here.”

“Aw, thanks, boo-boo.” Yolanda handed Ivy the dress and took a huge gulp of one of her cold, stale coffees. “You girls have a great day, now. Haylie, say hi to your adorable momsie for me. May the goddess be with you, now and always.”

“You too,” Felicity said, trying to keep a straight face. Ivy unsuccessfully tried to stifle a snort.

Four stores later, neither Felicity nor Haylie had a dress, and Ivy had long ago grown tired of playing games on her phone. “Can’t you two just pick something?” she moaned as they approached boutique number five. “It’s just a dress. It really doesn’t matter that much!”

“Easy for you to say, Little Miss The-First-Thing-I-Tried-On-Was-Perfect,” Haylie snapped.

Felicity was just opening her mouth to soothe her friends when she saw The Dress. It was royal blue, her favorite color, with a full, sweeping skirt and a small train. The top was a halter, and there was a delicate pattern of sparkly silver flowers that started at the right strap and meandered down across the left hip. She knew without a doubt that it was meant to be hers.