Page 68 of A Summer Mismatch
Oh no.
No, no, no.
The dress, made of the most gorgeous fabric Julia had ever seen, looked like it belonged in the medieval period. It had a corseted front, white ruffles sewn along the sleeves, and gold-trimmed lining on the skirt.
Theextremelyshort skirt.
It looked like one of those dresses people bought for Halloween—the sexy nurse or the sexy maid.
She was a sexy medieval princess.
For the elegant Watermelon Gala. What had Grandma Winnie been thinking?
Maybe it looks better on me than on the hanger.
With that hopeful thought going through her mind, she tied herself into the dress. Thank goodness for the corseted top, because keeping the strings loose was the only hope she had of fitting into it.
Almost afraid to look in the mirror, she went to her bedroom door where her floor-to-ceiling mirror hung. Grandma Winnie always made quality dresses, so it wasn’t horrible… if she were going to a costume party.
What should she do? She couldn’t disappoint Grandma Winnie. Grandma wanted her to say when she didn’t like something—but it was one thing to tell Grandma Winnie that she didn’t like a book she’d recommended. It was quite another to say she didn’t like the dress her grandma had sacrificed her time—and her hands—to lovingly sew for her. But could Julia really wear this in public tonight?
She picked up her phone and debated what to say to Grandma Winnie. Maybe she’d ease her way into the conversation.
Julia:Is Don still able to have Cameron over tonight?
In order to keep Grandpa from realizing that she was going to the Watermelon Gala and getting suspicious, they were having Cameron hang out at Don’s house tonight. Don stayed home most evenings with his wife who had advanced-stage Alzheimer’s. Grandma said she really wasn’t doing well lately. Julia didn’t want to add too much to his plate, but she also knew that being with Cameron might be a welcome distraction.
Grandma Winnie:Yes, he’s looking forward to it.
Julia:Okay, good.
Grandma Winnie:Are you ready for tonight?
Julia:I am, pretty much!
Grandma Winnie:And how’s the dress?
Julia:Well, to be honest, it’s a little short.
Grandma Winnie:Oh, I debated about the length. Maybe I should have gone an inch or two longer, but you have the legs to pull it off, and I just knew it was going to be a warm night.
Julia:This will definitely keep me cool.
Grandma Winnie:Oh, hon, your grandpa just got home and I need to talk to him before I run out the door real quick. Send me a bunch of pictures tonight. Love you.
Julia:Love you too.
Julia gave herself one last glance in the mirror, resigned herself to wearing the dress, and then came out into the living room to grab her keys and purse.
“Ready to go see Don?” she asked Cameron.
Cameron stood and when he saw her, he grinned. He walked over and petted her shoulder. “Petty, Joos.”
Pretty Julia.
Her heart warmed and she pulled him into a tight hug, then rubbed his shaved head. They’d just cut his hair last night, at his request. “Handsome Cameron.”
He gave her an even bigger smile and rubbed his own hair too, then snagged his talker and backpack before they headed out the door.
