Page 22 of Mama Si's Paradise

What kind of sorcery was this?

“Give it time,” she said when I told her the bed was too big for me. “It’ll grow on you. Just give it time. Now—Assa, bring in the dress please.” Assa immediately stepped out of the room, and Mama Si didn’t even look away from me. “I got you a little something for tonight. We have a masquerade party in the main ball room, and I’d like for you to attend if you feel like it.”

Assa came in holding a dress covered in a white fabric, and Mama Si stood up.

“A masquerade party,” I whispered, shaking my head because no way were those real. Did people actually throw parties like that?

Andthe main ball room? Just how many ball rooms did this mansion have?

“Yes. My favorite kind of celebration,” Mama Si told me, and then she slowly pulled the white satin off the hanger, revealing the dress underneath.

I gasped for the second time that day.

Sequins and precious stones. The colors of fire merged together so beautifully. Thick straps and a V cut in the front and back, and the dress went all the way down to the floor.

But most importantly, a mask with the same design was hanging by a turquoise-colored ribbon on the hanger, too, and Mama Si took it off, and held it in front of my face.

“There,” she said with a deep sigh, like she’d been afraid it might not look right, but now that she saw me with the mask, she was relieved. She wasfascinatedall over again. “Go ahead, Fall Doll. Go look in the mirror.”

“It’s…it’s gorgeous,” I admitted, a bit breathless, and I meant both the dress and the mask. Holding it carefully, I went to the vanity table and looked at the mirror. Half my face was covered by the gorgeous mask, and the colors matched my hair perfectly. I didn’t look like me at all.

Was that why I was instantly, absolutely in love with it?

“Good—wear it tonight. Come to the masquerade. You don’t have to mingle. You can just see how we make the best of our time,” Mama Si said, her voice soft, loving, and she’d put the dress on my bed as she admired it, then reached out her hand for me to go to her again.

I did. “I’m not sure…”

“That’s okay. You don’t have to come,” she said, squeezing my fingers, and again, her warmth was right there, slipping into my skin, giving me comfort. “But I would really,reallylike for you to be there. I want to show you off, Fall Doll.” With a laugh, she brought her hand to my cheek and turned my head toward her. “But if you want to stay in here and rest, I understand.”

Her words rang true. She sounded like she meant it.

I nodded. “Can I think about it?” Because I did want to rest. And I did want to sit here and hide and try to come to terms with this new me that I was so terrified of, but at the same time was madly in love with. I really did—but something aboutmasquerade partiesand masks and dresses that looked like they came from another world…

Something about Mama Si.

“Of course,” she said, not a hint of hesitation. “As long as you rest and you eat right and you get your exercise in, you’re welcome to think about everything else.” And she winked. “I must go get ready, I’m afraid. Don’t forget to give my Paradise time, Fall Doll.”

And she turned around to leave as Assa held the door open for her.

“Thank you,” I said before she could get out, and Mama Si stopped and turned to me again. “Thank you—for this room. For…for everything.” For giving me the opportunity to feel like a fucking princess. For giving me the opportunity to live like this, my every need catered to—whilemaking the money to start the rest of my life from scratch. It just might be the best thing that had ever happened to me, this place.Her.

Mama Si smiled. “Oh, Fall Doll, you are most welcome.”

She looked at me like I was just a little girl—like no adult had truly looked at me before. Definitely not Missy. I liked it.

“Have a great time tonight,” I said with a wave.

She blew me a kiss. “You, too, beautiful. You, too.”

Assa closed the door behind her, leaving me alone in the room again.

Seven

Fucking mood swings.

I was fine just a couple of hours ago. I was better than fine, in fact—I wasthriving.I loved my new hair and my new nails and my makeup. I looked like ameI’d never dared to want to be since I could remember myself.

But then doubt crept in a little while later, when everyone left to let me rest for a bit.

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