Page 33 of Everything I Need

“Having trouble, my Sweet Scarlett?” She places the dress bag on the bed carefully.

“Ugh, yes! I don’t have anything fancy enough for this dinner. Despite all my shopping. I want to look perfect for tonight and nothing is working.” My arms drop to my side.

“Oh, sweet girl, you could go in leggings and look perfect for Preston. I’ve seen the way that man looks at you.” I blush at the mention of leggings. Preston is particularly fond of those pants. “But to help you, I found this perfect little dress years ago, I was saving it for a special trip with Dad. I think you should have it for tonight.” She says handing me the dress bag.

I unzip the bag and find the most gorgeous, silk, red dress. The top is fitted, but has a high neckline to still be tasteful, and flares out at the waist to create a high low hemline. When I spin it around to see the back, I see that the plunging back gives it the perfect amount of sexy and classy.

“Mom, I cannot accept this! It’s so beautiful, you should be the one to wear it first, not me!” I run my fingers gently over the silk fabric.

“Nonsense. Where would I wear this dress? The diner to get my coffee?” She laughs.

“Maybe you could wear it when you go on a date with. . . ”

Mom cuts me off before I can finish. “I will not accept no as an answer. This dress will look beautiful on you. You have the perfect figure, and your dark hair compliments the red just so.” She wraps one of my curled strands around her finger.

Before I start crying I pull Mom in for a tight hug. It isn’t fair that she never got to wear this dress with Dad. He would have made such a big deal about how gorgeous she was. He’d twirl her around our living room after making us play their song. I hope I can find a love like that. It’s a once in a lifetime love those two shared. And a big part of me still believes that Preston is just that guy for me.

“Ok, mom. I’ll wear it tonight. For you and Dad. I even have the perfect black heels to go with it!” I bend down to get the perfect shoes out of the closet.

“I knew you would, Sweet Scarlett. You have the perfect pair of shoes for every occasion.” She kisses me on the cheek before heading out, and I see the unshed tears in her eyes.

It breaks my heart for her, that she won’t ever get to wear this special dress on that special trip they had planned to Paris next year. They had been planning their Paris vacation since we were kids for Dad’s retirement. If anything, it should have taught all of us not to wait for what makes us happy, unfortunately I don’t think any one of us girls has learned that lesson fully yet. Although, I am trying with Preston.

Okay enough sad memories.I shake my head to change the memories in the room.

Now that the dress debacle is figured out, I need to do my hair and make up. And calm myself down. Luckily Addy comes into my room just as I finish that thought, like some sort of beautiful superhero. One who carries a basket full of make-up.

“Mom is downstairs crying about a dress. Want to fill me in here?” She raises an eyebrow at me. She sets her basket down on my vanity and starts pulling out all kinds of things.

“Oh no.” I tell Addy about what happened, and we decide to take mom out on a fancy dinner with just us girls, maybe even one day take her to Paris. We can step in for Dad.

“Okay, so mom gave you this beyond perfect dress. What are we doing with hair and make up?” She eyes the dress hanging on the closet.

“I am definitely thinking more natural on makeup, but with a bold red lip to match the dress. For hair I was just going to sweep it up into a bun at the base of my neck?” I look to her for approval.

“Yes. I love it. Let’s get started!” She pushes me down on the chair, and starts swiping makeup across my cheek.

We used to do this all the time as kids in mom’s room when she was getting ready for a date with Dad. All of us would sit in a circle on the floor and swipe make-up on each others’ faces then spritz her perfume on. It would usually end with the babysitter putting us all in the tub to scrub red lipstick off our cheeks.

“Hey, Addy, thanks for being here. Not just today but since I came home. I am really thankful to have you back in my life. I hope Lacey and Willow come around.” I look at her in the mirror.

“Lacey will for sure. She and I talked a couple of times and I’ve been telling her about how things are going. I told her that we talked about everything, and worked things out together, and got our relationship back. I think her and Oliver are coming in a few weeks, so we can convince mom to keep Oliver so we can have girls night. Willow will come around. I actually think she’s having a tough time and for the first time she isn’t talking to me about it. I don’t know what to do for her.” Sadness crosses her face.

Addy and Willow were always closer being the two youngest, while Lacey & I were closer as the oldest girls. It’s worrisome that Willow isn’t reaching out to Addy. I wonder if Mom is having the same problem. I make a mental note to ask Mom about it later.

“All we can do is let her know we’re here for her. Blocking each other out did nothing for us. Maybe she just needs to figure it out on her own, you know Willow was always the most independent growing up.” I fight the urge to turn and hug Addy.

“You’re right. She’s just always been so open with me. I don’t like feeling like she’s withdrawing from me. Something isn’t right, Scarlett. That manager of hers, he gives me bad vibes.” That’s bad; Addy always has a good intuition when it comes to people.

“Speaking of withdrawing, how are things with Lacey and Michael? When we talked after I first got here I got the vibe Oliver and her weren’t Michael’s priority and it was weighing on her.” Michael was great for Lacey, until they got married. Once they got married his mask started to slip and his true colors started showing.

“Well, she’s coming with Oliver. Not Michael. So if that’s any indication I’d say not well. I haven’t liked Michael for a long time. He always seems a little standoffish and hands off. Lacey deserves someone to love her like Dad loved Mom.” She crinkles her nose, showing her dislike for Michael.

“Now we have two missions. Fancy dinner with mom and figure out what’s going on with the other sisters.” Addy gives a little smile, but I’m glad I’m here for her now. If I was still in Boston, she’d be stuck here dealing with things on her own. I feel like an ass for letting her pick up the slack for so long after Dad died.

Addy does an amazing job with my hair and make up. We always said if teaching didn’t work for her, she should go join Lacey at her salon in Portland.

Before I know it, it's almost time for Preston to pick me up. I get into the dress and put on my shoes. With one last check in the mirror at the end of the hall, I head downstairs. I hear Mom and Addy gasp as I turn the corner.

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