Page 28 of The Charmer

"Oh, nobody. I'm just a plus-one."

There was a pause before Mom added, "You got back with Kyle Deveraux?"

"God, no,” I exclaimed. “Why would you think that?"

"Sorry. Forget I asked."

"It’s fine. Remember we had those issues a while ago with the warehouse being flooded?"

"Yes."

"Well, I lost some clients because of it. I convinced one of them to work with us again next year, and he offered to put me in contact with some of the other clients."

"There was no other way for you to reach them?" Her voice was a bit strict.

"I contacted them, but I didn’t get anywhere."

"So, who exactly is this client?"

"The LeBlanc family."

"Oh, I met the grandmothers years ago," Mom said. "They're good people."

"Why don't I remember them?"

"You were a toddler perched on my hip. Your nana was always very fond of them. She used to say that if it weren't for them, she wouldn't even have a business at all. So, when do you need the dress?"

"Thursday."

"Goodness. When can you drop by? Actually, you know what? I’ll come into the city."

"That would be a lot of help." It took a while to drive out to her house and back, and I didn't like to leave the store for so long during this time.

"It would do me good to walk around the Quarter at this time of the year, see if I miss any of it."

I started to laugh. "You know you don't."

"Well, no, I don't." Mom absolutely loved her quiet life with her animals.

I was happy that she’d gotten exactly what she wanted. She lived in a very secluded area of the bayou that people weren't fond of, but she could afford to buy much bigger property, living there.

"All right, darling. I'll see you then."

***

Mom arrived at four o'clock on the dot on Thursday. I'd been giddy the whole day, thinking about this afternoon, but the second she entered the shop, I was even more so.

The place was bustling with customers, so I couldn't get to her right away. I was too busy explaining to an elderly lady which beads and mask would go best with her costume, and she seemed to like all of my ideas.

"I'll take the lot," she ended up saying.

"Excellent."

"It’s the first time I’ve come down to New Orleans from DC. I plan to make the most of it as long as these old bones can keep me walking in the parade."

Oh, I liked her. She was feisty.

I smiled. "You’ll have a lot of fun. Zelda will cash you out at the counter."

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