Page 42 of Free to Believe
“No, Ms. Freeman. There’s no need to stand!” The young woman races over. “I’m Lynne. Jenna mentioned you got hurt that day you came into Sacred Grinds.”
My mind spins before her name clicks into place. “You relieved her shift,” I remember. She smiles, and just like Cori, it lights up her face. This girl is beautiful, I think admiringly. Flipping the page, I start a new sketch while talking.
“Yes, ma’am.”
I snort. “Please, call me Em.”
Both girls giggle. “I owe you coffee, Jen,” Lynne says.
“Why?” I ask.
“Jenna bet it would take you less than ten minutes to invite me to use your given name,” Lynne says shyly.
Jenna winks at me. “Em’s cool like that.”
“Ah, another life goal met.” Both girls look at me in confusion. “Being cool again.”
They laugh.
“Did you both just come to hang out?” I draw in the dimple that appears in Lynne’s cheek when she smiles. Lynne’s smile disappears while Jenna’s gets determined.
“Em, I wanted you to meet one of the main reasons I wanted to go into fashion. I want to design a plus-size line for my new best friend.” Jenna’s voice is filled with determination.
I stop drawing. Every once in a while, human nature still manages to surprise me. I never thought I’d come to Nantucket and find such tenacity as inspiration.
I certainly didn’t think I’d find it in the heart of a sixteen-year-old girl.
“Oh, sweetheart. Come here.” Placing my sketch pad aside, I stand up. Opening my arms, I embrace this fearless girl who in just a few short days has wormed her way past the barricade I keep around my heart. “I wish half the world had your nobility, but I think if you were to ask Lynne what she wants, she’d probably tell you that more than anything, she wants to fit in. Right, Lynne?” But when I hazard a glance at the other girl to see if my fashion instincts are still firing on the right cylinders, I see awe on her face.
“Is that how you see me, Em?” she gapes.
Crap, my sketch pad was face up.
“Yes, but I normally don’t let people see my drawings until they’re finished,” I say gently. Tears fill Lynne’s blue eyes. “Oh, honey, I’m sorry. I can stop drawing you if you want. I didn’t mean to upset you!” I cry out.
“Nobody has ever seen me like that before. I look…pretty.”
Reaching over gently to cup Lynne’s shoulder, I say simply, “That’s because you are.”
She shakes her head. “Not in comparison to you, Em. Or Jenna. Or anyone else for that matter.”
Sitting back on the lounger, I pat the spot next to me. “Lynne, come sit down.” After she does, I curl my good leg beneath me. “Part of being a designer is designing beautiful things. But more importantly, it’s bringing the natural beauty to the surface. Not everyone is built the same. I mean, look at an Olympic athlete. Did you know that a number of them are considered obese by most medical charts?” I state matter-of-factly.
Lynne gasps. “I had no idea.”
I nod. “Body mass, and body shape, are unique to each individual. The important thing is to find your style and play to that strength.” Both Lynne and Jenna look thoughtful. Then Lynne’s face crumbles.
“But you should hear the girls at school, Em. They’re cruel.”
Mentally cursing the narrow-minded view of vicious teens, I simply say, “I know someone who could tell you a thing or two on how to deal with that.”
“Who?” both girls ask simultaneously.
I grin. “My sister, Corinna. She is probably one of the most gorgeous women I’ve ever met. She’s also built with curves I would kill for, oh, say anytime I wear a strapless dress,” I snort.
“Do you think it might be possible for me to contact her?” Lynne asks, subdued.
Reaching for my iPad, I pull up FaceTime. “Why not now?”
